I need a Server... is gentoo linux the right OS?

[shgadwa]

I have a nice P4 computer here that I want to turn into a server. I'm planning on using it as a local DNS server/dns cache and also a Squid proxy server (and some other things if anyone has recommendations). It has centOS on it now. I was thinking about wiping that off and installing gentoo on it with the hardened gentoo server kernel. But, is that our best option? I would like to have it set to automatically update in the middle of the night, and it needs to be pretty much on its own, once I set it up.

Whats the best OS for what we need? I want to install the server because we have satellite internet, and I need to do something to increase speeds and also help prevent the FAP thing somewhat.

Thanks,
~Shawn

[depontius]

The best OS to use is the one that you know how to install, configure properly, keep up-to-date, and generally maintain. The reputation for "most secure OS" generally goes to OpenBSD, but if you don't know spit about OpenBSD, that's nearly worthless.

Use what you know you can secure.

That said, Gentoo is an acceptable choice, actually a very good choice, assuming you know it or are willing to learn it. It's pretty easy to configure a system for increased security, keep excess packages and features off, etc.
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.sigs waste space and bandwidth

[andreas_st]

Gentoo is a source based distribution. If you like this you are right. If you want a distribution that provides binary packages try something else.

I'm not sure what you mean with automatic nightly updates. If you want to synchronize the portage tree and maybe download new source tarballs automatically, that's OK. If you want to automatically update installed packages, that would be a very bad idea.
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Registered Linux user #62727

[Thaidog]

[shgadwa]

Yes, I was talking about automatically updating packages. Although I could just as well get up in the middle of the night and update the files. At any rate, why is it bad to have the computer automatically updated in the middle of the night? We only have 500MB allowed in one day with this satellite internet here.

At any rate, I really like Gentoo and I favour its speed and reliability. I've done a ton of research and I've had many trial and errors when it comes to installing the distro. I've been running Gentoo Linux on my laptop here successfully for over seven months now. The only problems I have had were problems that I created. Fortunately, its usually quite easy to fix. So, I do know how to pull its strings.

Now, I really like the sounds of BSD. I've read a lot about it, but have almost no experience on the OS. I'm basically looking for a OS for this server that will do all that I need it to do with speed, reliability, and security.

I want the server to be, if possible:

1. A local DNS Server/DNS caching server
2. A Squid Cach Proxy Server
3. Other things to improve speed, security, and lower the amount of daily downloads by caching... if any of you have any suggestions.

Then the other question arises...

Is it worth setting up a Gentoo Server (or maybe a GentooBSD Server) on this here 2Ghz P4 tower with 2GB ram, or should I try a OS that is more easily installed? On second thought, I do not think it takes that much time to install Gentoo... I've gotten it down so that I can do it and walk away while most of it is being done behind my back. And this not needing a GUI or anything would be really easy.

Your input would be appreciated. If I go with Gentoo, I would like to know what the best USE flags would be for our situation. I imagine I would get rid of gtk, X, and all that while adding minimal to the use flags... what else should be added or removed? I've tried to find a good article on setting up a gentoo box as a server, and so far I have only found one link where a guy says that he dislikes gentoo as a server. Only because of the time it takes to install, and then update. Which I really do not mind that part.

[shgadwa]

Also, I would like to know if I have this right here. Its been really hard for me to find guides on this topic.

I think, the internet connection goes from modem to server computer to router. Then from that router, one ethernet cable goes to a computer in the office, the other one (50ft) goes to another router on the other side and upper floor of this really, really large house. Then from that second router, we the computers get internet access. Then all DNS and browsing activity is cached on the server/

Is that the right idea? Also, if anyone knows of good guides, please point me in the right direction. I'm basically trying to work around out 800-1300 ping count by caching and such.

[Thaidog]

[dol-sen]

If you want your server to download the packages at night, that is easily doable. You should however supervise and choose the updates you want since blindly updating packages is considered bad for a server. Like what was said before, gentoo is good for a server if you know gentoo and like/need/want it's flexability. As for getting help setting up your server, you should already know that gentoo has some of the best docs out there. Granted gentoo has not been considered a highly sought distro for servers and most people that would use it for a server generally already know what to do, there is not much docs about servers. There are however lots of help available through the irc/forums/mail lists to help you along your way.

P/S. I've been wanting to set up my own server for some time now and hope to get to it finally this fall.
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Brian
Porthole, the Portage GUI frontend irc@freenode: #gentoo-guis, #porthole, Blog
layman, gentoolkit, CoreBuilder, esearch...

[andreas_st]

[xtz]

U always want to supervise the package updating, unless u want to play 'russian roulette' with your server