Computer Geeks

ScoobyDan · #1 02-24-2006, 10:37 AM

Hi,

Following on from this thread, what do you feel are the main differences between a "dekstop" Linux distro and a "server" distro?

Obviously, both need to be secure, and preferably as light-weight as possible, but in what ways would a "server" distro be different to a desktop?

Daniel

Soulwatcher · #2 02-24-2006, 11:04 AM

Well when you install Centos 4.2 Server, your getting a striped down version of Linux. No GUI, bundled software, ect, it runs from the command line. Which means their is less security holes for your OS. Centos 4.2 Server is so small it fits on a single cd. If your not experienced with running Linux from the command line I wouldn't recommend it.

A desktop distro is a bloated version of Linux. Its loaded with a nice GUI, web browser, games, ect. Lots of room for security holes. You really wouldn't want to use it for a server unless it was a home webserver, or you were just learning Linux.

job36_22 · #3 03-01-2006, 01:30 PM

Hmmm what would you reccomend for a server im outdated and looking at possibly upgradeing?

Durinthiam · #4 03-03-2006, 01:15 AM

as in the other post in this category, Ubuntu has been mentioned at running a stable server and is generally a user friendly distro. You have the option of installing as a server and then loading GUI that you want or installing as a home version with all the spangly bits

MMeffert · #5 03-04-2006, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soulwatcher

Well when you install Centos 4.2 Server, your getting a striped down version of Linux. No GUI, bundled software, ect, it runs from the command line. Which means their is less security holes for your OS. Centos 4.2 Server is so small it fits on a single cd. If your not experienced with running Linux from the command line I wouldn't recommend it.

A desktop distro is a bloated version of Linux. Its loaded with a nice GUI, web browser, games, ect. Lots of room for security holes. You really wouldn't want to use it for a server unless it was a home webserver, or you were just learning Linux.

I might disagree because I just started using linux about a month ago and I was talking to Jason about it and he helped me get it installed and everything. He suggested that I just use the command line and now I am happy I did because the GUI takes up a lot more resourses so then those resourses can not be used for the programs that serve your files. Also if you work at it and learn the commands it becomes a lot faster to edit and change things then it would be in the GUI.

Soulwatcher · #6 03-04-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMeffert

I might disagree because I just started using linux about a month ago and I was talking to Jason about it and he helped me get it installed and everything. He suggested that I just use the command line and now I am happy I did because the GUI takes up a lot more resourses so then those resourses can not be used for the programs that serve your files. Also if you work at it and learn the commands it becomes a lot faster to edit and change things then it would be in the GUI.

Well I will disagree with you on this one. Depending on the computer skill level of the person. Command line might not be the best choice for a beginner. My wife has Limited computer skills, If I were to ssh into my server. And ask her to reboot the server. She would look at me like I was crazy. Their is really only two ways to learn Linux. A# You buy a book and study your butt off. Or B# You have someone helping you along the way.

If you choose A your not going to be able to do anything with the server. With out hours and hours of reading. And even then you still might be a little confused. If you run the GUI you can jump right in the minute you installed Linux. And you can experiment with the command line as you go. Once you master the command line which should not take any longer than a couple weeks to a month. You can reformat the server and run it command line mode.

Or B, you have someone to help you set up the server. They tell you what command does what and they guide you along. I think this is the easiest method of learning Linux. Hands on experience plus someone guiding you along is going to teach you more than you could get from any book. Thats just my 2 cents.

MMeffert · #7 03-05-2006, 07:49 AM

Yeah I did option B. Its just that if you start out with a GUI then once you learn that then you switch to the command line and you still have to learn all the commands.

Soulwatcher · #8 03-05-2006, 08:01 AM

The purpose of running the GUI is to learn the commands as you go. How would you shut the server down if you ran it by command prompt and didn't know any of the commands? If you run the server GUI you still can ssh into the server and practice commands. Or you can open up the command line from the GUI and practice that way too. I feel with no help or no GUI most people would just give up on Linux.