Using Mandrake Linux 8.2

[Nivuahc]

So I ordered Mandrake 8.1 Pro Suite with the intention of using my newly constructed computer as a network server.

This is what's in the new machine:

(1) Abit B17-R PC133 Motherboard with Intel Pentium IV 1.5Ghz processor and 512MB SDRAM
(5) Maxtor 60GB HDD, 5400RPM, 9.0ms seek time, 2MB buffer
(1) Antec SX1240 Full tower case, 14 drive bays, 400W Smartpower ATX 2.03 power supply
(1) Seagate 4GB/8GB TapeStor TR4 Travan Internal tape drive, EIDE
(1) Sony Spressa 24x/10x/40x Internal CDRW drive, EIDE
(1) Aopen 32MB Nvidia TNT2-M64 4XAGP Video Graphics Adapter
(1) 3-Com 3C905CTXM 10/100 Network Card
(1) Maxtor Ultra ATA/100 PCI Adapter
(1) Mitsumi 1.44MB Floppy Drive


I ordered Pro Suite so that I, being a Linux Newbie, would have installation and configuration support because I intend to use this server as a Web server, an FTP server, a Mail server, and a DNS server.

With the Pro Suite package I got three installation CD's as well as 3 application CD's. I also got a Server CD and a Pro Suite DVD.

I have installed, and re-installed Linux on this machine about 6 times.

The last two times was with the direction of their support team.

Not once have I been prompted for the Server CD (even though I indicated in the setup what I had intended to use it for) and not once did anyone from Mandrake even mention it.

Out of curiousity I looked at the CD and it seems to be nearly identical to the first installation CD.

Am I missing something here?

Was I supposed to use THAT CD in lieu of the first install CD?

Also, by looking at what I've got in this machine... do you think I'll be able to do with it what I want?

This might need a little further explanation...

I work at a small engineering firm.

Our most vital data is our AutoCAD drawings.

All of the computers on my network are running Windows 2000 Professional.

I want them to be able to log on to this server and be able to access files and email.

I intend on having the 5 hard drives set up in this fashion:

HD1: Main System drive with the Linux OS and approximately 2GB available for each user as a "user" drive.
HD2: Mirror of HD1

HD3: Data drive containing all of our drawings and documents
HD4: Mirror of HD3
HD5: Nightly copy of HD3

We currently get our internet access from bellsouth via a business ADSL connection using a Cayman router. The router is set up to do DHCP but I can bypass it for certain computers. I'll let the router assign IP addresses to all of the workstations and I'll assign the IP address(es) to the server.

According to Cayman, I should be able to run a web, mail, DNS, and FTP server with little trouble.

That's where I'm at (basically nowhere) and I'm running out of time/patience :confused:

PLEASE HELP! :(

[ 01 May 2002: Message edited by: Nivuahc ]

[Alex Cavnar, aka alc6379]

Actually, If all you wanted was to make the box into a server, you could have just downloaded the CD images from the internet. The three-disk set that you use to install is all you need to get going. The rest of the CDs in the set probably hold software you can install later.

You'll definitely be able to do what you want with that machine. In fact, the components you put in it sound pretty high-quality, so there shouldn't be any hardware compatibility problems

[Nivuahc]

Well I certainly hope that's the case.

After my first install the machine ran super slow. Whenever I would try to start anything it would take a good 30 seconds for it to begin... even something as simple as changing the background image.

It seems to run just fine now (at least as far as speed is concerned) but the thing that really irritates me is that some of the packages I chose to install don't seem to be working properly, if at all.

For instance, in order to confiure my Cayman router I can either access it through a web interface or through telnet.

I wanted to telnet to it and even though my package manager said that I had telnet installed... and even though the program would come up (I can't remember what it's called... I'm still new)... when I would try to connect it would tell me that it wasn't installed and I needed to install it.

Also, every now and then certain things like "linuxconf" and "hardrake" just won't work. :confused:

I have a small amount of experience with UNIX from a couple of years ago but this is my first attempt to use Linux.

Is this type of thing normal or should I consider using a different distribution?

EDIT: I downloaded the 8.2 iso's and installed them on my work PC (the original reason for the thread title... I get carried awy). Should I just use that? Also, if there is any advice that any of you can offer to a guy in my situation... I'll be more than happy to hear it.

Thanks!

[ 01 May 2002: Message edited by: Nivuahc ]

[ 01 May 2002: Message edited by: Nivuahc ]