ClusterServer + DSL + linux

[craziedde]

I'm a pure newbe to linux. So please do not insult my intelligents if I ask a dump questions.
Ok here I go: in the near future I'm looking to run a webserver out off DSL line.

Here are my questions

1. Are there any "issues"(problems) with DSL and linux I should know about?

2. Ok I know a lots of talks about security. And I do understand why that I have to take it seriously. One of the ways of tighting up security is not to run extra(unneeded) services/demans. So this idea came in to my head. There is huge amount of linux distributions, there should be one that does not have all of those services at all. What I mean is there any distribution that is web oriented only? I DON'T NEED anything but Apache!!! so is there any that will allow me do just that? no ftp httpd etc... nothing just a bones......

3. This is just a general linux question the about linux kernel, is it same on all linuxes???? Like they talking about the new 2.4.1 does it stands for all of them...

that it..... thx :eek:

[ 09 February 2001: Message edited by: craziedde ]

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by craziedde:
1. Are there any "issues"(problems) with DSL and linux I should know about?


the "issues" have all pretty much been resolved by people that want to make it work. even though most dsl providers don't "support" linux, those of us in the linux community do, and we will help you get it working/setup :)


2. ...I DON'T NEED anything but Apache!!! so is there any that will allow me do just that? no ftp httpd etc... nothing just a bones......


this can be achieved in most distro's but, some it is easier than others. distro's like mandrake 7.2 are aimed at the GUI desktop user, and unless you are careful during the install, you end up with a ton of stuff loaded and many open ports, just as you point out. however, there are other distro's that will let you take the minimilistic approach more easily, ie load only the bare minimum, and then just add what you need. an example of this is would be a debian (http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/install.en.html) install from floppy disks. (http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/ch-install-methods.en.html#s-install-floppies) you make 17 floppies from disk images off the debian ftp (http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/dists/potato/main/disks-i386/current/images-1.44/) site. this loads the bare minimum you need to then pull down just the stuff you want using the debian package management system apt (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/distros/deb/apt.html)

that way if anything is installed/open, it is because you did it, not the installer program.


3. ..linux kernel, is it same on all linuxes???? Like they talking about the new 2.4.1 does it stands for all of them...

no, each distribution contains a specific kernel (http://www.kernel.org/) version, depending on when it was release, who made the distribution, which version of the distribution it is, etc. the kernel (http://www.kernel.org/) web site lists the current version of the kernel itself at the bottom. but you would have to check each distributions web site to see which version of the kernel is contained in each distribution/version #

for example, red hat 7 (http://www.redhat.com/products/software/linux/pl_rhl7.html) contains the 2.2.16 version of the kernel

you can also replace just the kernel on any distribution yourself, this is called compiling the kernel. (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/compiling/kernelcomp.html)

a Newbieized Help File (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/compiling/kernel2.4upgrade.html) is available to help compile the 2.4 kernel in red hat 7

have fun with linux! :)

[ 09 February 2001: Message edited by: FoBoT ]

[Molecule Man]

The flip side of Mandrake I should point out, is that it is ultra easy to turn off those unneeded services. Fire up DrakConf (http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/demos/Demo/Mandrake7/DrakConf/) and select your startup services.

[craziedde]

Thanks for all of your responds :) . But I'm still have a few more

1. Even tho I'm satisfied with your answer about 'bare' bones distro. I would like to bother you a little more. What if I was just to compile the latest linux kernel (how big is it by the way? The compiled binary it self and how much memory/RAM does it use? just curios). Ok if I was just to compile kernel, will it allow me to run an Apachy of it? without any extra shells?

2. Is there anyway to make a "true" read only file system on linux? Why ask a true read only becouse on wins even tho you make it read only its still "writable" without any problem with most of the apps. If the answer is yes, than there is more deep question. Is there is anyway to run the whole thing off the read only file system?

3. Do you know of any application that will allow me to mount/read/write the linux file system off windows box ( and I don't mean samba ). I mean is there is way to excess the linux partition from the wins?

4. Is there is anyone who have tried turbo linux clusterserver. Is it any good, as they describe it on their website? Any of your personal experiences about it? Is it more less easy to operate/install/use ?

Thanks again. You are the best

[ 09 February 2001: Message edited by: craziedde ]

[thedexman]

1. A linux kernel w/modules (based on my experience) generally ranges 400-500kB in size depending on what i build in and what is modules. The sources are like 25MB. Not exactly sure what the rest of this is asking.

2. You can make linux run w/read-only file systems. You can also use several partitions and mount some parts read-write (ie home, tmp, var) and other parts read-only. Some one has even made a linux system for gaming that just boots of a CD (http://www15.big.or.jp/~yamamori/sun/tech-linux-2/index_e.html. Doing this will be somewhat involved, though.

3. If you're talking about a linux file system on a hard drive in the windows box you can check out explore2fs (http://uranus.it.swin.edu.au/~jn/linux/explore2fs.htm). Works ok on Win2K, not sure about 95/98/ME, though.

4. Never used it, what are you planning to do with it?