Setting up network for Linux

tonster · 10-08-2008, 10:01 PM

Hey, my boss has asked me to set up a network at the office. He provided a computer with a pentium 4 1.6ghz, 192mb ram, and an ordinary nic card

Basically we have a network now that is run by a little box, I don't know how it works but it looks like a modem. I think it probably just has a hard drive and a ethernet card. All we want to do is have a server hard drive that users can access files. Also we want to set up a server that places limits on certain files. i.e. my boss wants to have access to everything but limit his employees to looking at everything

I have researched a few versions of Linux, and my boss wants a cheap version. I want red hat but i suspect it's too expensive. Ubuntu looks like it would be easy to setup, but i think its primarily for desktops, not servers.

My question is what version should i use?

Also can someone provide a link with a step-by-step guide on what to do after the software is installed?

thanks!

**wmorri** · 10-09-2008, 07:18 AM

Hi,

Welcome to the wonderful and complex world of linux. You say that you need a server, at least 2. My first question to you is how much experience with a linux machine desktop or server do you have. The reason that I ask is that this could become a little hairy and complicated at times.

To me the first thing that jumps to mind is an FTP server. This would allow for you or someone to do a basic file dump. Have all the files be in one place or another. Brake it up into folder with pw access so that your boss has access to everything and employees have access to only what they need.

As for what version of Linux, you have a wide range of options. Ubuntu, has a very good server distro, I use a copy of it my self. But you have other options like Fedora, Red Hat's community based distro. Also, you might want to think about a Unix based distro, or Unix-like distro, The most popular are PCBSD, and FreeBSD.

Another thing to think about is are you going to need a graphical interface to use, or are you going to use this from a command line. An FTP server can be access usually by a web-browser and by programs like FileZilla, for windows, and others for *nix.

So start to think about those questions and then post back with your thoughts on the issue. I will also start to think about other options for you and ways to work with what you already have.

Things to think about

How much experience do I or others have with Linux/Unix
What Distrobutions am I thinking about
Do I want a GUI

Cheers!

tonster · 10-09-2008, 12:04 PM

To clarify a few things first:
I think you misunderstood when I said I also wanted to create a server that sets privileges on certain files that I wanted to make two different servers, as this is in fact the same server.

I know absolutely nothing about Linux servers other than the fact that to my knowledge they are better than Windows servers. I know nothing about Linux OS except you can run it on the same hardware as Windows.

What I do know is hardware. Being an avid online gamer I built a computer about 5 years ago that still runs great to this day. Of course it is working on Windows and just set up to an ordinary Linksys wireless router, and I really don't know anything about networking for Windows. Hope this doesn't hinder the process.

As far as picking a distro my first instinct would be to go with Red Hat 9 and I have already started to download the iso so I figure that will be the best option.

I love your idea of the FTP server! What my boss is complaining about is the fact that the server is slow, and he thinks that a Linux server will work better. Not that I know anything about servers, but I don't think it will be any quicker, so I feel like I am wasting my time making this box. But, when you said FTP I was ecstatic. To my knowledge the benefit of an FTP server is that you can access it anywhere, online. This would make me feel like I accomplished something in the process even if the server ends up being just as slow as the old one. We could definately use FileZilla and I think that would be relatively simple to set up usernames and passwords if that is what I would use.

As far as talk about a GUI I think this is a must. I might be able to understand command prompt when it comes to things such as partitioning a hard drive or status check for an ip, but that is the extent of my knowledge when it comes to Windows CMD. I was even hoping that when I installed Red Hat I would come across some "wizards" that could guide me through the process (lets hope so anyway...I love wizards!)

Also the server has to have a regular 10/100 nic card because the switch is not a gigabit switch, and were trying to do this without spending much money.

If you have knowledge of servers in general, what makes a server fast? Is it the switch? the hard drive speed? or does the OS itself have an impact?

I'm glad I posted and thanks for you quick response. Hope I clarified a few things as well.

**djaburg** · 10-09-2008, 12:53 PM

Without going in to too much detail about the pros and cons of each distro, I'd find one that installs easily and will run on modest hardware...almost all will. I've used Webmin as an administration tool for servers being deployed in situation where relative newbs were going to be doing basic functions like sharing files and creating usernames and passwords for file access. It's relatively easy to install and use and should make life a bit easier than going to the command line for most basic things. I've been able to help most of my clients use webmin pretty quickly and they've enjoyed the relative ease of administration via web browser.

**wmorri** · 10-10-2008, 05:50 AM

Quote:

I know absolutely nothing about Linux servers other than the fact that to my knowledge they are better than Windows servers. I know nothing about Linux OS except you can run it on the same hardware as Windows.

The fact is that for what you are doing. There really isn't that that much of a difference. You certainly can run a FTP server from a windows box. In fact I have run one from my XP machine at one point.

The main difference is that a linux server can be scaled to fit the size and shape of the information that is it handleing. For instance, a lot of WIndows server's (2000, 2003, 2008) all come with IIS which is their Web Server, and a FTP server, and the list goes on. It doesn't sound to me like you need all of that. Plus it costs money.

Quote:

What my boss is complaining about is the fact that the server is slow, and he thinks that a Linux server will work better.

I am not sure if it will work any quicker. That all has to do with the speed of your network and your internet and intranet connection. It all has to do with scalability and what you need to use a server for, as i mentioned above.

Quote:

As far as talk about a GUI I think this is a must.

That is fine. I was thinking that a gui would be a good thing anyways. That way when or if you ever leave this company that you work for, whomever comes in after you will know what you have done and be able to see it. Even if they know how to use a command prompt.

Quote:

the server has to have a regular 10/100 nic card because the switch is not a gigabit switch, and were trying to do this without spending much money.

Not a bad thing at all. Most networks don't need to have a gigabit switch. Especially if you have been using a regular switch without any problems.

Cheers!

tonster · 10-10-2008, 03:08 PM

Update:
I downloaded the Red Hat 9 version of linux and it came in 3 iso files. I tried to use Roxio CD creator to burn the isos to a disc but It stops at 3% (tried twice)
bout time to get off work so I guess im going to have to transfer these files to an external hard drive and see If i can't burn the image from my home computer *crosses fingers*

I think that what i need to do next is to create a boot disc and reformat the hard drive to support linux. from what Ive read online I think I know how to do this but if anyone has any suggestions on anything else I need to do before I start to install the OS please help!

**wmorri** · 10-10-2008, 04:28 PM

Hi,

Before you go and reformat or do anything like that I would recommend that you figure out exactly what every piece of the process is. Like you have the distro that you are going to use. Next you need to figure out for sure what server you are going to use. Then you need to learn how to use the server. You also need to MAKE SURE THAT YOUR BOSS KNOWS THAT YOU ARE SWITCHING EVERYTHING OVER! You might also want to try setting up a dualboot on a home computer and makeing sure that you know how everthing is going to work i.e. the installation of all the programs, how they work together, how to start and stop them, etc.

With Red Hat I know that you will have the choice to install just a server, and then choose the type of server(s) that you want I would recommend that you learn with a dualboot from a personal computer first and see how that goes, Or you could even set up a VM machine and play around with that a little bit if you so desired.

Cheers!

lensman3 · 10-11-2008, 03:10 PM

Take a look at the Nov 2008 Linux Journal page 32 by Mick Bauer. There is an article that starts this month (and will continue for several more) on Samba Security. This is exactly what you want to do by the sounds of your first post.

Samba is the program that you will be using to connect the server disks to the other computers in your office. As wmorri said use VMware to check out your setup before you commit to hardware changes.

10-08-2008, 10:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
tonster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 10 OS: windows XP Home Service pack 2	Setting up network for Linux Hey, my boss has asked me to set up a network at the office. He provided a computer with a pentium 4 1.6ghz, 192mb ram, and an ordinary nic card Basically we have a network now that is run by a little box, I don't know how it works but it looks like a modem. I think it probably just has a hard drive and a ethernet card. All we want to do is have a server hard drive that users can access files. Also we want to set up a server that places limits on certain files. i.e. my boss wants to have access to everything but limit his employees to looking at everything I have researched a few versions of Linux, and my boss wants a cheap version. I want red hat but i suspect it's too expensive. Ubuntu looks like it would be easy to setup, but i think its primarily for desktops, not servers. My question is what version should i use? Also can someone provide a link with a step-by-step guide on what to do after the software is installed? thanks!

10-09-2008, 07:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
wmorri Moderator/Fedora Amb. Join Date: May 2008 Location: /pm/etc Posts: 2,842 OS: Window 7/Fedora 10 My System	Re: Setting up network for Linux Hi, Welcome to the wonderful and complex world of linux. You say that you need a server, at least 2. My first question to you is how much experience with a linux machine desktop or server do you have. The reason that I ask is that this could become a little hairy and complicated at times. To me the first thing that jumps to mind is an FTP server. This would allow for you or someone to do a basic file dump. Have all the files be in one place or another. Brake it up into folder with pw access so that your boss has access to everything and employees have access to only what they need. As for what version of Linux, you have a wide range of options. Ubuntu, has a very good server distro, I use a copy of it my self. But you have other options like Fedora, Red Hat's community based distro. Also, you might want to think about a Unix based distro, or Unix-like distro, The most popular are PCBSD, and FreeBSD. Another thing to think about is are you going to need a graphical interface to use, or are you going to use this from a command line. An FTP server can be access usually by a web-browser and by programs like FileZilla, for windows, and others for nix. So start to think about those questions and then post back with your thoughts on the issue. I will also start to think about other options for you and ways to work with what you already have. Things to think about* How much experience do I or others have with Linux/Unix What Distrobutions am I thinking about Do I want a GUI Cheers! __________________ Linux Forever!

10-09-2008, 12:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
tonster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 10 OS: windows XP Home Service pack 2	Re: Setting up network for Linux To clarify a few things first: I think you misunderstood when I said I also wanted to create a server that sets privileges on certain files that I wanted to make two different servers, as this is in fact the same server. I know absolutely nothing about Linux servers other than the fact that to my knowledge they are better than Windows servers. I know nothing about Linux OS except you can run it on the same hardware as Windows. What I do know is hardware. Being an avid online gamer I built a computer about 5 years ago that still runs great to this day. Of course it is working on Windows and just set up to an ordinary Linksys wireless router, and I really don't know anything about networking for Windows. Hope this doesn't hinder the process. As far as picking a distro my first instinct would be to go with Red Hat 9 and I have already started to download the iso so I figure that will be the best option. I love your idea of the FTP server! What my boss is complaining about is the fact that the server is slow, and he thinks that a Linux server will work better. Not that I know anything about servers, but I don't think it will be any quicker, so I feel like I am wasting my time making this box. But, when you said FTP I was ecstatic. To my knowledge the benefit of an FTP server is that you can access it anywhere, online. This would make me feel like I accomplished something in the process even if the server ends up being just as slow as the old one. We could definately use FileZilla and I think that would be relatively simple to set up usernames and passwords if that is what I would use. As far as talk about a GUI I think this is a must. I might be able to understand command prompt when it comes to things such as partitioning a hard drive or status check for an ip, but that is the extent of my knowledge when it comes to Windows CMD. I was even hoping that when I installed Red Hat I would come across some "wizards" that could guide me through the process (lets hope so anyway...I love wizards!) Also the server has to have a regular 10/100 nic card because the switch is not a gigabit switch, and were trying to do this without spending much money. If you have knowledge of servers in general, what makes a server fast? Is it the switch? the hard drive speed? or does the OS itself have an impact? I'm glad I posted and thanks for you quick response. Hope I clarified a few things as well.

10-09-2008, 12:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
djaburg TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,326 OS: XP SP3/Vista/7 Server 2K/2K3/2K8	Re: Setting up network for Linux Without going in to too much detail about the pros and cons of each distro, I'd find one that installs easily and will run on modest hardware...almost all will. I've used Webmin as an administration tool for servers being deployed in situation where relative newbs were going to be doing basic functions like sharing files and creating usernames and passwords for file access. It's relatively easy to install and use and should make life a bit easier than going to the command line for most basic things. I've been able to help most of my clients use webmin pretty quickly and they've enjoyed the relative ease of administration via web browser. __________________ Computers make it easier to do a lot of things, but most of the things they make it easier to do don't need to be done. The inherent vice of capitalism is the uneven division of blessings, while the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal division of misery.

10-10-2008, 03:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
tonster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 10 OS: windows XP Home Service pack 2	Re: Setting up network for Linux Update: I downloaded the Red Hat 9 version of linux and it came in 3 iso files. I tried to use Roxio CD creator to burn the isos to a disc but It stops at 3% (tried twice) bout time to get off work so I guess im going to have to transfer these files to an external hard drive and see If i can't burn the image from my home computer crosses fingers I think that what i need to do next is to create a boot disc and reformat the hard drive to support linux. from what Ive read online I think I know how to do this but if anyone has any suggestions on anything else I need to do before I start to install the OS please help!

10-10-2008, 04:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
wmorri Moderator/Fedora Amb. Join Date: May 2008 Location: /pm/etc Posts: 2,842 OS: Window 7/Fedora 10 My System	Re: Setting up network for Linux Hi, Before you go and reformat or do anything like that I would recommend that you figure out exactly what every piece of the process is. Like you have the distro that you are going to use. Next you need to figure out for sure what server you are going to use. Then you need to learn how to use the server. You also need to MAKE SURE THAT YOUR BOSS KNOWS THAT YOU ARE SWITCHING EVERYTHING OVER! You might also want to try setting up a dualboot on a home computer and makeing sure that you know how everthing is going to work i.e. the installation of all the programs, how they work together, how to start and stop them, etc. With Red Hat I know that you will have the choice to install just a server, and then choose the type of server(s) that you want I would recommend that you learn with a dualboot from a personal computer first and see how that goes, Or you could even set up a VM machine and play around with that a little bit if you so desired. Cheers! __________________ Linux Forever!

10-11-2008, 03:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
lensman3 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Littleton, Colorado USA Posts: 470 OS: xp 64 sp2 Fedora Core 8 (vmware xp core 8 x32) Minix	Re: Setting up network for Linux Take a look at the Nov 2008 Linux Journal page 32 by Mick Bauer. There is an article that starts this month (and will continue for several more) on Samba Security. This is exactly what you want to do by the sounds of your first post. Samba is the program that you will be using to connect the server disks to the other computers in your office. As wmorri said use VMware to check out your setup before you commit to hardware changes.