Red Hat 9 personal

[GraFx Pro]

Is Red Hat 9 a good OS for a server? ($49.99 retail box)

I am looking to set up a in house web server and want to run Red Hat for the os, Apache for the web server, MySql. , php, perl, and a e-mail server program (need a sugestion on one).

All it will do is act as a web server.

The server will be used in house for training and testing of web sites before uploading to hosting.

This will be loaded on a dedacated computer and then networked.

Thanks for all.

[bailey]

yes it will, but why buy it when you can download it free

[kstatefan40]

Red Hat is ending support of its free versions (which includes 9) now is definately not the time to go Red Hat. I am doing a similar thing, with Mandrake (which is based on Red Hat) and testing others. For Email server, go with sendmail (google it, i dont have a link off hand) SQL= PHPmyAdmin. Hope this helps, i am testing other distros today, BTW, www.linuxiso.org

EDIT: Welcome to PCmech!

[GraFx Pro]

I just checked out Mandrake 9.2. It looks as if it has a GUI that I can work with im a newbe to linux and aftef doing a lot of research I know that I want to go to a linux os for my server.

The problem that I have is I am still on dial-up max 26.0 kbps

BTW... on sendmail is it sendemail.org or .com

Thanks for all

[kstatefan40]

There are places that will ship you the distro on CDs for less than $10 usually.

Mandrake is great, i just started working with it the other day and i adapted pretty fast. It takes a bit, but once you learn it, you are fine. Check out the PCmech tutorial for more info...

[Karnevil9]

Check out this site for discount Linux CD's. I got Mandrake 9.2 from here and they also have redhat 9, listed as the no name linux.

http://www.edmunds-enterprises.com/linux/index.php

[LocoCoyote]

GrafX
Have you considered FreeBSD for your server OS?
I recommend against the GUI...it just slows things down and adds a layer of complexity (that a word?) to the whole shebang!
I don't know how much command line know-how you have, but it is worth taking the time to learn. it is amazing how quick many daily admin tasks are using the prompt.
That all said, if you are set on a Linux distro, I recommend SuSE professional version. yes, you can get free or very low cost CDs, but in many cases you get what you pay for. SuSE bundles much of the software you want with on the 5 CD's it comes with.

Just my 2 € cents!

[Karnevil9]

When you pruchase the CD's you get the operating system and that's all. For Mandrake and linux to my knowledge, It is the same operating system you would buy. The major difference from purchasing the box set is that you don't get any installation manuals or support. There are enough places on the web to help with installation and support, and Mandrake, I believe, allows you to purchase support if you already have the System. Redhat is phasing out support for it's home versions.
Since Linux is not the same as Windows I would highly recommend if you are new to it, going with a discount CD or free Doownload until you know what linux is all about and to get your feet wet. There is a learning curve and usually some frustration even with the user friendly systems. For example, Linux does not recognize all hardware and has to be configured by you for some of them. After you get a feel for it, then decide if purchasing is for you. SuSE is propietory and does not offer it's OS for free, though it is considered among the best for new users, (along with Mandrake and Redhat), and it offers a server version.
If you are interested in and need, a good stable, server, that almost never crashes, and you don't mind learning as you go and investing some time, FreeBSD, is probably the best. Free BSD is Unix not linux, though there are similarities since Linux was developed from Unix.

[GraFx Pro]

First off.. I know nothing about linux.

2. Yes I am looking for a server OS with none of the extra bells and bangs ( GUI would be nice) and that is stable, very stable.

3. It will be installed to a deadacated, inhouse training (for my slef), web server/mail server( for testing of web pages before uploading to host). Programs will be apatche, mysql,php,pearl, ftp, and a e-mail server program

4. Yes I am willing to learn a new system, coding, programing
what ever it takes I have the time and desire to learn.

5. Harware will not be a problem only what will be on the mobo, looking at asus p4p800, and posiblely extra nic cards

6. It will not be used as a desk top or work station so it need to be stable but I will still want to mess around with stuff, maybe crash it then rebuildit and do it all over again

It will be for learing on..

Thanks for All..

[kstatefan40]

try slackware linux maybe... its more of a cut throat OS. HTH

[Karnevil9]

It sounds like you may be leaning towards the FreeBSD. Check out this site.

www.FreeBSD.org

[LocoCoyote]

I agree try freeBSD. the issue with the purchase or download CDs...I beg to differ.

yes, you get the boxed books and all, and sometimes some support options, but take SuSE 9 for instance. Download a fully functional live eval CD. use it all you want. It has some very good software (most of the major stuff the average Joe would want) Now buy the Professional version. You get 5 Cds full of software. The base packages are the same, but there is so much more eaisly available (and installable) red Hat had the same deal (before they ditched the personnel versions).
Any way all I am saying is that you get what you pay for.

[Karnevil9]

I hear ya LocoCoyote. I only make the argument to download a free version becuase Linux, unlike windows, has so many different versions that the first one you choose, may not be the one you want to stay with. I think you should test drive a few, and then when you are ready, go out and buy the box set. Not only for the manual, support and whatever extras you may get, but also to support the whole Linux concept. If all of us only DL free versions, Linux would eventually disappear.

[bailey]

I don't know what would be in the manulas that come with a store bought package that is not on the cd's one would down load.
I ptinted up the manual that was on the rh9 download cd's and printed both sides of each page and filled up a 3" loosleaf binder, thats a lorge manual and covers everything and more.