Stupid question about LINUX

Is it still available as a free download? If so, where? I want to get into it and implament it as a file server here at the office.

 

Yes it is but from you having to ask are you qualified to run a linux file server. I wouldn't recommend it for you.

 

Oh, I wouldn't jump right in and make it live right away, I have some free time here at the office, so I decided I would try out LINUX as a server. Even if I don't use it, it would be fun to play with. I have many systems that are not used and just taking up space in the storage closet. Just looking for a new option and expand my knowlege base.

 

Right but you could be spending your time doing more productive things unless you plan on doing this at home. If its a fairly simple file server just run windows 2000 and make it a file server.

 

That's what I have now, a bunch of 2000 servers. Just want to get into Linux. Sure, I will do a machine at home too.

 

Here's a whole bunch to choose from. Since you're a beginner, like myself, I'd check out Mandrake as it's GUI driven and easier to learn than others.

 

Sorry i was looking back and I sound kinda life an ass. Let me clarify my thoughts. Linux is a great OS. From what I gather you just need a file server and the reason you choose linux is you want to learn. Unless the company clearly understands that you are not familir with linux and that you are using this as a project to learn then thats fine use linux. But if you want to learn about linux do it on you own time not the companies time unless your paid to do that.

 

MMmmm, I agree with Colemanguy here. Linux servers can be great, very efficient, provided you can run it. Which is why playing around with one is a great idea .

I've been looking for Linux courses for yonks... If you present to your company the predicted improvements you can make (there are plenty), perhaps you can get them to pay for a course.

Linux is great for a server environment, particularly if you can get a cluster system working, so you can have one percived system running a wide variety of tasks from file serving (Samba for Windows Shares) to internal Intranet(apache) and database hosting (MySQL, PostGres...) ... much cheaper and more efficiently than you could with Windows. It might be more time consuming at first, but once your familiar you can do pretty much anything you can do with a Windows server enviroment in the same ammont of time.

Personally, I'd go with a Debian distro, mainly because of the coolness of apt-get. Saves SO much time since it lets you download and configure packages automatically rather than having to download, compile, configure manually. I had some success with Bonsai linux in the past, but unfortunatly thats been discontinued.

 

Yup, part of my job desription, as long as I don't make it a priority over the immeadiate needs. My boss and I always tinker around and try new ways of doing things. One reason I love this job is they encourage you to do some R&D. Play around with things. I would never do anything that would comprimise my job, I've been here for 10 years!

 

I would just use a win2000 server for the time being, and then setup a linux server at home and once you have stress tests and security tested it then deploy the linux server at the office. Thats your best bet.

Heres a good link for basic setup.
http://www.computer-vet.com/tech/linuxfileserver.html

 

Pulling down Mandrake now. Thank you for the tutorial page. This will be a great experience. Should be lots a fun too.

 

I like fedora (redhat) linux alot, it can verify the integrity of the discs before you install, we just got a copy of mandrake linux in the mail and it didn't do this and found it had a bad copy of it, and also find fedora is a bit easier to use. I took courses of linux in college, pretty powerful and can be faster than windows 2k server.