Hi All
I want create a small virtual machine running linux with pretty much only Apache2 to serve some static web content and proxy on to other servers. The idea being this is the only internet facing instance I have. Any suggestions for a small easy to use linux distor?
On 23.12.2011 11:53, Paul Grenyer wrote:
Hi All
I want create a small virtual machine running linux with pretty much only Apache2 to serve some static web content and proxy on to other servers. The idea being this is the only internet facing instance I have. Any suggestions for a small easy to use linux distor?
In my experience, the answer to this would be "whatever you are most comfortable administering" - I generally stick to RedHat/CentOS based distro's at the moment as thats what I use on a daily basis at work and home, but I've previously run things of this sort on Debian, Ubuntu and even Gentoo in the past.
I have heard good things about the Ubuntu-based Turnkey pre-built system images (such as their generic LAMP appliance http://www.turnkeylinux.org/lampstack) - you can download a CD ISO, VM Image (VMDK,OVF) or even spin up an instance in Amazon EC2. Generally I have heard good things about them from Debian/Ubuntu admins and developers, who don't want the hassle of building systems to do common jobs, and bad things from people who want to tinker or aren't comfortable with APT.
The things to watch for are creating a machine thats as barebones as you need it to be, and keeping it secure and updated - with CentOS, for example, running a text-mode installation still pulls in over 400 packages, so working out then specifying exact package names in a KickStart file is often worth the effort. There are equivalents to the KickStart mechanism used by Anaconda in RHEL and CentOS with most distro installations.
Another thing to watch is stability and ongoing support - worth choosing an LTS version of your chosen distro if this is applicable.
Just my thoughts - sorry if I rambled on, but hope some of that is helpful.
Jim
On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 11:53:44AM +0000, Paul Grenyer wrote:
Hi All
I want create a small virtual machine running linux with pretty much only Apache2 to serve some static web content and proxy on to other servers. The idea being this is the only internet facing instance I have. Any suggestions for a small easy to use linux distor?
Ubuntu Server?
On Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:17:27 +0000 Chris Green cl@isbd.net allegedly wrote:
On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 11:53:44AM +0000, Paul Grenyer wrote:
Hi All
I want create a small virtual machine running linux with pretty much only Apache2 to serve some static web content and proxy on to other servers. The idea being this is the only internet facing instance I have. Any suggestions for a small easy to use linux distor?
Ubuntu Server?
He said small. And I'd much prefer debian to ubuntu on a server. In fact a minimal install of debian would probably do. Then run lighthttpd rather than apache and tinyproxy.
If really small is required, then there are a bunch of options such as puppy, or tinycore (DSL as was I believe).
Mick
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The text file for RFC 854 contains exactly 854 lines. Do you think there is any cosmic significance in this?
Douglas E Comer - Internetworking with TCP/IP Volume 1
http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc854.txt ---------------------------------------------------------------------
** mick mbm@rlogin.net [2011-12-23 15:32]:
On Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:17:27 +0000 Chris Green cl@isbd.net allegedly wrote:
On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 11:53:44AM +0000, Paul Grenyer wrote:
Hi All
I want create a small virtual machine running linux with pretty much only Apache2 to serve some static web content and proxy on to other servers. The idea being this is the only internet facing instance I have. Any suggestions for a small easy to use linux distor?
Ubuntu Server?
He said small. And I'd much prefer debian to ubuntu on a server. In fact a minimal install of debian would probably do. Then run lighthttpd rather than apache and tinyproxy.
If really small is required, then there are a bunch of options such as puppy, or tinycore (DSL as was I believe).
** end quote [mick]
Much as I like Debian, I tend to go for an install of the Ubuntu server CD without choosing any tasks and treating it like Debian from there on. Some of the tweaks like byobu (screen) and the improved hardware driver support (I battled with Debian and a motherboard with nVidia chipsets for just about anything a few years back) make it quite nice to work with. That said, I do miss listbugs. All the upheaval with the desktop is totally irrelevant to a server :) At the moment I'm running this setup on a couple of Atom 330 based 'servers' in my office and a low spec. VM with Bitfolk (who I can recommend if you need hosting for this).
On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 03:28:28PM +0000, mick wrote:
On Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:17:27 +0000 Chris Green cl@isbd.net allegedly wrote:
On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 11:53:44AM +0000, Paul Grenyer wrote:
Hi All
I want create a small virtual machine running linux with pretty much only Apache2 to serve some static web content and proxy on to other servers. The idea being this is the only internet facing instance I have. Any suggestions for a small easy to use linux distor?
Ubuntu Server?
He said small. And I'd much prefer debian to ubuntu on a server. In fact a minimal install of debian would probably do. Then run lighthttpd rather than apache and tinyproxy.
OK then, Ubuntu base installation plus apache (or whatever browser you fancy). I have this running on an eeePc which has only 2Gb total disk space.
If really small is required, then there are a bunch of options such as puppy, or tinycore (DSL as was I believe).
It sort of depends where the OP is coming from.
As someone else said a distribtion the OP is already familiar with would probably be a good choice.
Hi
OK then, Ubuntu base installation plus apache (or whatever browser you fancy). I have this running on an eeePc which has only 2Gb total disk space.
Disk space is a long way from being my problem. As it's a VM hosted with a few others I want to keep RAM and processing power to a minimum.
Hi
On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 2:17 PM, Chris Green cl@isbd.net wrote:
On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 11:53:44AM +0000, Paul Grenyer wrote:
Hi All
I want create a small virtual machine running linux with pretty much only Apache2 to serve some static web content and proxy on to other servers. The idea being this is the only internet facing instance I have. Any suggestions for a small easy to use linux distor?
Ubuntu Server?
Yes, sticking to what I know would be the obvious choice (as someone else also said), but (as another person said) Ubuntu doesn't strike me as particularly small.
On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 11:53:44AM +0000, Paul Grenyer wrote:
I want create a small virtual machine running linux with pretty much only Apache2 to serve some static web content and proxy on to other servers. The idea being this is the only internet facing instance I have. Any suggestions for a small easy to use linux distor?
I'd say Debian as there is a fair few people on this list who have extensive experience of using it so you have a free support channel to us and also as it's totally awesome.
Adam
Hi
On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 3:25 PM, Adam Bower adam@thebowery.co.uk wrote:
On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 11:53:44AM +0000, Paul Grenyer wrote:
I want create a small virtual machine running linux with pretty much only Apache2 to serve some static web content and proxy on to other servers. The idea being this is the only internet facing instance I have. Any suggestions for a small easy to use linux distor?
I'd say Debian as there is a fair few people on this list who have extensive experience of using it so you have a free support channel to us and also as it's totally awesome.
Yes, I'm now very tempted to try Debian.
Thanks all!
----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Grenyer" paul.grenyer@gmail.com To: main@lists.alug.org.uk Sent: Friday, December 23, 2011 4:21 PM Subject: Re: [ALUG] Internet Facing Linux
Hi
On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 3:25 PM, Adam Bower adam@thebowery.co.uk wrote:
On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 11:53:44AM +0000, Paul Grenyer wrote:
I want create a small virtual machine running linux with pretty much only Apache2 to serve some static web content and proxy on to other servers. The idea being this is the only internet facing instance I have. Any suggestions for a small easy to use linux distor?
I'd say Debian as there is a fair few people on this list who have extensive experience of using it so you have a free support channel to us and also as it's totally awesome.
Yes, I'm now very tempted to try Debian.
Thanks all!
--
+1 for Debian from me too. I have used Ubuntu for a number of years but it wouldn't install on a box I am using for something very much like the OP is doing. Problem was the processor though. Ubuntu wouldn't install because it is a 1ghz Via chip. Debian installed and runs fine with 512mb of RAM.
I also have a couple of VPSs running with Debian and DTC Control Panel http://gplhost.com/software-dtc.html .
On Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:45:59 -0000 "Tony" tony@ttiger.co.uk allegedly wrote:
Debian installed and runs fine with 512mb of RAM.
I also have a couple of VPSs running with Debian and DTC Control Panel http://gplhost.com/software-dtc.html .
I have debian ARM running on three NSLU2s (32Mb RAM). Wunnerful.
Mick ---------------------------------------------------------------------
The text file for RFC 854 contains exactly 854 lines. Do you think there is any cosmic significance in this?
Douglas E Comer - Internetworking with TCP/IP Volume 1
http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc854.txt ---------------------------------------------------------------------
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Adam Bower -
Chris Green -
Jim Rippon -
mick -
Paul Grenyer -
Paul Tansom -
Tony