I was just all set to spend £170 (this is for work ) on Windows Server 2003 Web edition, when I thought "hang on can I just sort this out with a linux server?".

I used to use Redhat linux pretty extensively a couple of years ago at my previous job, becoming faily confident with it (all console based). This included installing it from scratch and putting on all the needed components etc.

What is the best distro these days for a server? Now I know its a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" question... but consider these points:

* Machine to be used is a P4 with 1gb, and an intel chipset.
* Needs serve www - can it do ASP and PHP ??
* MySQL server
* SQUID
* I dont want to spend hours fiddling about with it

Does WINE (or whatever it is these days) work well enough for me to run ANY windows program?

 

fedora is about as close to redhat you'll get without paying

I'm sure there is a ASP module out there in the wild.

 

Or if you want something better than Fedora, go with Debian for the apt goodness.

 

this could degenerate quickly

Ubuntu ( deb derived ) for me.

 

openSuse sounds best for you. Least config.

 

Least config will actually be debian.

 

SuSe is a PITA.


OpenSolaris for extra geek points

 

Without wanting to get too complicated, are any of the distro's better at certain roles than others?

Or is it down to personal choice at the end of the day?

I've always used Redhat/fedora for WWW duties, AIX / SCO for DB work - not really used the others. . .

 

The main differences between these distributions is the package management system, and where files are kept/which versions are in the distribution. That's it. apt is much better than rpm and debian is a nice, clean dist. You don't get what you don't ask for. Otherwise they're all Linux, except of course OpenSolaris which requires a lot more administration (you'd usually use it in a jumpstart environment with a post-install doing your configuration, it's not designed for home users).

 

Doesn't fedora now use YUM for installing & updating packages?

 

Yum is just another (free) package management framework for RPM-compatible OSs, RHES/AS still use RPM.

 

Thanks for replies so far... Debian or Unbuntu were the ones I had already been recommended.

Hmmm can of worms thread? oops!

 

Nah, as long as no-one wanders in and suggests 'doze we're all good

 

Any ideas on the windows emulation front? Am i likely to be able to use the piece of software I need which the web will link to.

 

You could use VM-Ware for your Windows apps. Run it insie Linux and your apps won't know the difference!

 

By the time i've paid for that I think I may as well just buy server 2003 on this occasion.