Linux is a popular open source operating system used on servers, desktops and devices. Setting up a Linux server can be daunting, but recent advances have made it easier. Choose an appropriate distribution, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux for large enterprises, Debian for open source software, or Ubuntu Server for new users. Install a LAMP stack and move existing content to the new server using OpenSSH-Server for secure remote connections.
Linux is an open source operating system widely used on servers, desktops and devices. It is especially popular in the server market, making up at least 32% of all web servers. Setting up a Linux server can be a daunting task, but recent advances have made the process much easier than it used to be. For new users, it’s probably a good idea to check a book or a couple of websites for information on the basics of Linux.
There are many different distributions of Linux, and many serve different purposes. When setting up a Linux server, it is important to choose an appropriate distribution first. Distributions designed for servers include Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Debian and Slackware. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is not free, but it comes with commercial support and is suitable for large enterprises. Debian contains almost entirely open source software and is ideal for those who want to use Linux for philosophical reasons. Slackware is well known for its stability and configurability.
While each distribution has its advantages, those who are new to using Linux or are setting up a Linux server for the first time may want to try the easy-to-use Ubuntu Server. Installation can be done via CD or USB flash drive. Installation media is usually available as a free download.
Regardless of distribution, installation is the first step in setting up a Linux, Apache, MySQL and Perl or PHP (LAMP) stack. Linux is the operating system, Apache is an HTTP server, MySQL is database software, and PHP and Perl are programming languages. Depending on the deployment you select, these items may already be present and fully or partially configured. If they are not present, they can usually be installed through the distribution’s package management service.
This is usually a very simple process where the user indicates which packages they would like to have on their computer. The package management service will automatically download and install the appropriate version. Manual installation of software is relatively rare on Linux systems and you may need to provide certain information during the installation process, such as the domain where the server is hosted. After setting up Apache, many users use the package management system to install userdirmod, which simplifies setting up multiple user accounts.
The last step in setting up a Linux server is to move any existing content to the new Linux server. If this content is stored remotely, the user may want to install OpenSSH-Server, which will allow secure remote connections using OpenSSH. OpenSSH-Server will also make remote server management much easier.
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