Advice on setting up a fast server

[Luke-Skywalker]

Heres the deal ;

I have a spare dual machine that consists of 500mhz P3's and 256 mb ram.

I want to setup a linux server to ;

1. Server files and print devices through samba

2. Allow other PC's (windows) to dial through the linux box to get to the internet.

3. Serve quake 3, ut games etc

Is it possible to do this without X ?

The reason i ask is that I want something lightening fast and i want to learn how and why things are the way they are. Space is also a concern, I dont want a server taking over 500mb of space cause I only want what i need.

Can anyone help an idiot ?

Any comments (i mean any comments) would be really helpful.

PS I was thinking of debian as the system. http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks.

[mandreko]

hi there...

1. Samba will work fine without X. My server at home doesn't have X, and I share files with 2 other computers.

2. Not sure about this one, but i'm betting you can do it without X. Normally X is just a gui for console commands (that's what i've found) So if you can do it in X, you can do it in CLI (not all the time)

3. I believe i remember reading that the servers were just like a small exectable. If it doesn't require X, then you can do it, but i know some applications do require X. Personally i don't run those servers, but i'm pretty sure you can do it without X.

Sounds to me like you'd be able to do it all without X. It would also help you to become a CLI Commando.

As for what distro, I would definately choose debian, it's the ideal distro for your setup. If not debian then slackware.

Have fun
if you have any questions for me personally, you can contact me via email: mandreko@home.com ICQ: 13220604 AIM: mbandreko

feel free to contact me, i'll try my best to answer any questions. I don't claim to be a guru, but i've been using linux for a couple years now i think, and i can answer some things... http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif

[Sokertes]

I have run both Quake 2 and UT without X. It's really easy to install and set up. The hard part is the config files and fine tuning them to your specs of what you want. UT server has a neat web admin control that it has. you set it up for web admin control and you can see who, what map, and what the players are saying to each other. I find it really cool and usefull.

A quick note though. Q2 server you can run on min of 16 megs ram while UT needs 32 or more to run the server.

If you need any help about setting up Q2, Q3, UT servers, search the games forum. Thats how I got mine set up and running.

Sokertes

[klamath]

Of course you can do it without X....

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- Klamath
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[Luke-Skywalker]

Thanks for all your comments. I really appreciate it Especially Mandreko http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif

Thats exactly what i needed. Thanks again. http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif