2009/5/16 <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:gavin.evans@procamintegrated.com">gavin.evans@procamintegrated.com</a>></span><br><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
I have just signed up to the mail list.</blockquote><div><br>Welcome!<br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
I am a newbee to Linux but I am very interested to embrace it and use it<br>
in a newly formed company I am working for.</blockquote><div><br>Excellent; very good to hear!<br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
I was wondering if there is anyone out there that could give me some help<br>
and advice on setting up a server preferably with Fidora.<br>
<br>
I am looking to setup backup for the Office, external access to the server<br>
and help with a database.</blockquote><div><br>It would probably be helpful if you could suggest how much help you need, and what your level of experience is with other operating systems' server, backup and database offerings. That way, we'll have some idea which level we ought to pitch our advice at.<br>
<br>As you've probably already gathered, you ought to begin by selecting a Linux distro to use. Broadly speaking, these fall into three families: Debian-based, Red Hat-based, and others. The primary difference is in the packaging system used. (A packaging system is a system for distributing programs - or software "packages" - to users, largely to save users the trouble of having to compile the programs themselves.)<br>
<br>Debian-based distros (including Debian and Ubuntu) use a packaging system called apt; Red Hat-based distros use a packaging system called RPM; and then, there are various somewhat specialist distros that either don't use a packaging system at all, or else use a less common one than apt or RPM. My own preference is for Debian-derived distros, not least because I find apt quite easy to work with.<br>
<br>Another important factor to consider when picking a distro is how stable it is. Some distros (e.g. Fedora; Ubuntu) aim to provide the latest packages asap, sometimes even if they're still a bit buggy. This is a bit like Windows software: it needs updating frequently, and the updates typically aren't just bug-fixes: they add or change the functionality of the software (think of Internet Explorer as a good example of this kind of thing, in the Windows context). Other distros (e.g. Debian; RHEL; CentOS) emphasise stability: software updates typically only address bugs; they don't otherwise change the functionality of the software. This is important, as otherwise any other piece of software that relies on the piece of software being updated could stop working if the piece being updated has its functionality altered.<br>
<br>People quite often favour stability-oriented distros for servers, and other distros for desktops. This is because stability is more critical for servers, whereas having the latest features is sometimes more important for people using desktop workstations.<br>
<br>Another important factor is support: do you want the security (and expense) of a support contract? If so, some distros offer this as standard, e.g. Ubuntu and Red Hat. For other distros, your support contract would have to be arranged separately, e.g. with an IT consultancy, or by hiring a sysadmin.<br>
<br>Finally, you need to check that any distro under consideration does support the packages you want to use. With most mainstream distros, this shouldn't be a problem if all you need is backup software, remote logins, and a relational database.<br>
<br>Hopefully this has been of some help. Now, I'd suggest searching the Web (and perhaps the computer bookshelves of the local bookshops) for answers to any more specific questions you might have. If you get stuck, either send another email to the CLUG list or to the mailing list for the piece of software that's puzzling you, and all being well, you'll get an answer pretty quickly :)<br>
<br>Sam<br></div></div>