Linux can be used to build home or enterprise servers, with different types of servers requiring specific software and hardware. After installing the operating system and necessary software, remove unnecessary programs and run antivirus software for security.
The Linux® platform can be used to build a home server or an enterprise class server. It is considered to be one of the safest and most reliable platforms available. You can build a Linux® server using an old computer around the house, or you can purchase brand new hardware specifically for this purpose. The Linux® distribution and software you use depends on the type of server you want to create. The nice thing about the Linux® operating system (OS) is that you can have more than one type of server on a single machine.
Before you start building a Linux® server, you should have an idea of how it will be used. Server types include file servers, Linux®-based web servers, Linux® media servers, and a print server. You can create a specific type of server or install multiple types of servers on a single computer. Each type of server requires specific software packages.
The type of server determines the hardware required. You can create a Linux® server using an old desktop if you will only use it as a file or print server. It might even be powerful enough for a web server, as long as you’re not getting a lot of traffic. A heavily used media or web server will require more modern hardware.
When you’ve assembled your hardware, you can decide which distribution you want to use. If you’re using very old hardware, you should download a distribution designed for older hardware. Otherwise, you can create a Linux® server using any distribution you prefer. Download the International Standards Organization (ISO) image for distribution and burn it onto a blank compact disc. Install the operating system using the graphical installation wizard.
After installing the operating system, it’s time to install the required software for the Linux® server you’re building. Most modern Linux® platforms have graphical package managers that you can use to install software. Regardless of which server you decide to create, you should install remote access software and antivirus software. Antivirus software is used to protect Microsoft Windows® computers that may be accessing the server.
After installing the necessary packages and configuring them according to the software documentation, you can remove the graphical interface. You can also remove any unnecessary software, such as word processing software, image manipulation software, and games. This will free up hardware resources and provide a small level of security to the machine.
Run your antivirus software and disable remote root access. If you want to be able to make changes to the machine remotely, add an account in the “/etc/sudoers” file. This allows administrative privileges without giving full root access to the machine.
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