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Hey there, i just want to know which Linux distribution you would recommend for a server that is mainly used as a webserver using lighthttpd software? |
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It depends largely on your personal experience on one hand and your need for professional support on the other hand. If you are good to go and get your hands dirty you probably want to look into Debian min, Ubuntu min, FreeBSD or the like. If you need professional support you want to check Collax, Red Hat or Novell and friends. I feel like the current "shooting star" Ubuntu gives you a nice and flexible way with their free system with the option for payed support. |
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If you already use a major Linux distro on a regular basis, I'd use the same distro for server. Since you would be already familiar with the particularities of the distro, your problems would generally be limited to server-specific questions, which would generally apply to any distro. There are 2 main groups of major distros : Those rpm package based -- redhat/fedora/centos, mandriva, suse, and Mageia (I include Mageia because although forked from Mandriva a year ago, it is very stable, and is developed by most of Mandriva's former development team.) There are also the deb package base distros, primarily debian and ubuntu. I would suggest using an rpm or deb package based distro, since it would be relatively easy to install any server-related package that is not already in the selected distro. For ease of support, as suggested above, I would favour ubuntu over debian. for rpm-based distros, Mageia over the others, due to disruptive changes being currently introduced at Mandriva, and much more friendly utilities in Mageia/Mandriva than the other rpm distros. |
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If you are newbie I think that ubuntu desktop and you can install lamp server, for the first step you can find a documentation here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ApacheMySQLPHP on ubuntu os in help browser you will also find ubuntu server gide! And if you want advanced os you can install debian it's very stable redhat or centos is hard for newbies lucky |
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I would use Centos 6 as it is free and well supported Red Hat clone. Get it at http://www.centos.org/ |
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Security Critical & Production Server: Use Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 Not so critical on Security & Development / Production Server: Use CentOS 6 If your a Newbie who wants a Graphical User interface (GUI) & you do not mind bloated software that is catered towards the Social Desktop User: Use Ubuntu 12.04 LTS If your a Newbie who has to use Ubuntu & would rather use the command line: Use Ubuntu Server 12.04 LTS As stated before Ubuntu is a Social Desktop Linux Distribution (With no regards to FOSS) for newbies. Ubuntu Server is catered the same way as the Ubuntu Desktop except it does not come with the GUI by default. Ubuntu Desktop should only be used in a Development Environment. Ubuntu Server would be better suited for a Production Environment. Ubuntu supports a 5 year live cycle with there LTS Model, but you won't have the latest software which will hurt security, and performance. My personal opinion I would use CentOS 6. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 (If you don't mind a yearly product subscription / entitlement fee). LAMP should never be the answer. There is no point in running LAMP. For security and performance reasons a dedicated server should be used. The above mentioned is one of the biggest reasons of not using LAMP, along with the lack of control over configuration, poor performance, not commonly used in a real server environment, no common file locations, the same thing with the configuration file locations, etc... The need to use a older version of the LAMP Stack programs should be an issue because your going to lack performance, and security. If you don't mind putting a bit more work in, and want bleeding edge software I would suggest giving Fedora a try. Fedora is the testing grounds for Red Hat Linux Enterprise with a release cycle of every six months. The fourth latest version becoming EOL as soon as a new version is released. Red Hat Linux Enterprise / Fedora / CentOS : All Adhere To FOSS CentOS is the worlds most popular Linux Distribution for use as a Production Web Server EOL - End Of Line FOSS - Free Open Source Software GUI - Graphical User Interface LAMP - Linux / Apache / MYSQL / PHP LTS - Long Term Support |
