On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 7:40 PM, Kirk Goins <[email protected]> wrote: > I asked sometime ago about what distribution I should use for a small FTP > and sometimes small Web Server. I had a Mandrake 8.x system but the file > system wasn't letting me deal with multiple GB files like DVD iso images. So > I moved off what I needed to keep and wiped it. I started playing with > Ubuntu Desktop 10.04 and am sorta happy an sorta not. Here's what I I > need/cpuld do before. ( Don't laugh, I mainly work on NON PC / NON Unix > based IBM gear. I also mainly use Windows for my work and personal systems )
Many of us have been there. We will keep the children in check. > I dont' want to trust a Windows box to do this stuff open to the world. I don't serve off of Windows without a firewall. :) Too many late nights. > #1 On my previous system, I had worked my way through a basic firewall setup > that allowed FTP and HTTP through my External IP Good practice is to *only* allow the services to each machine that are required. Some folks like to stop it at a firewall, but I'm a belt-and-suspenders guy, so I run firewalls everywhere I can, including the end-box. > #2 I could thru linuxconf quickly enable/disable/vhange the external > interface when I wasn't activily using it. Not sure what the Ubuntu equivalent is, but I'm sure there's a GUI (ugh) and CLI for it. > #3 FTP was ProFTPd I won't weigh in too much here, FTP has lots of strong opinions. My opinion is that FTP should not be used.... ever. Just rsync, or put it over SSH. (FTP sends passwords over the wire). > #4 Liked Midnight Commander for some file / object work DUDE! Classic! Fun UI. Didn't know it was still out there. > #5 Used Webmin for a few basic tasks. Webmin bit me one too many times. It's probably better now, but.... it's kind of like the prom date who gave you that "special" gift.... which required a doctor visit... maybe still hot, but I'm never getting that close to her again. > So is Ubuntu Desktop where I want to be for this simple stuff Yes, and no. Most of the current support tutorials are desktop focused. However, they're based on a lay-user target. > or do I want a > server class version of Ubuntu? If you have a keyboard, mouse, and video hooked to the machine, and are used to such an interface, it might be easier to manage desktop. If you're used to heads down Linux: text only, no prompts/helps/GUI, then server class is great (and uses less disk and RAM). In all honesty, in the last 13 years, I've found that if it's my own box, text is fine (I'm used to it), but if I have to admin with any other folks, I need "desktop", or rather, others do. > The splash screens for the Ubuntu SW site > says 1000's of programs, but the largeswt list I get there is 267, big > difference. That's a packaging thing. If you want to install "Office" (of whatever flavor), there's more than one program installed. > I have pulled ProFTPd and Webmin and got them installed. I am > having trouble with getting the firewall working and a way to simply disable > the external IP when I don't need it. I can bring this beast by the clinic > on Sunday, if that is the best place to get it working as desired. The clinics rock, I can't endorse them enough.... but I do need to show up more. -Ronabop _______________________________________________ PLUG mailing list [email protected] http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
