Ubuntu

Desktop or Server edition

Asked by David Wallin

I think that this type of question has been asked many times, but ......

I'm sorting out a computer to act as a server for a small Windows network.
Firstly, the computer will be brand new and built from parts. I thought an Athlon64 with 2 x SATAII HDDs (configured to provide hardware, BIOS provided, RAID mirroring) and 4Gb RAM was a good choice. Is this a good spec for the machine?
Secondly, the machine will be used as a server on a Windows network of about 5 or 6 workstations. It might occasionally get used as a 'desktop' machine on its own, but it is basically just there to provide file server facilities. There will, occasionally, be remote user usage needed (ie: a staff member using a laptop at a client's office, home or a show/event who connects via the Internet - not sure how to do this yet!!! I know its VPN and I've done it on Windows machines before - but never on Linux). There currently is no 'server' and files are saved/shared from one of the machines (no domain security - just 'workgroup' level). Should we use 7.10 Destop version of the server version?

I know this is basic stuff, but some help would be appreciated!!

Many Thanks.

David

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Andy Loughran
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Vojtěch Trefný (vojtech.trefny) said : 		#1

I think it doesn't matter - difference between desktop and server edition is only in selected packages - it is easy to install "server" packages into desktop edition and vice-versa... One thing is that there are many program in desktop edition which are useless for server (openoffice, pidgin etc.) - so I recommend to install server version.

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David Wallin (david-ntfs) said : 		#2

OK. But some people might want to use it as a workstation occasionally (users do some strange things!!).

So, I can use the desktop version to act as a windows server then? Guess that's what I'll do!

David

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Omegamormegil (omegamormegil) said : 		#3

It will be faster, and simpler for you to just install Ubuntu Desktop Edition. You are going to need to have a graphical interface anyway (for the occasional users you mention), so there is little advantage to installing the Server Edition. Ubuntu Server Edition is intended to have only the bare essentials installed, because on a dedicated server you just want stability and security, and don't need a full featured graphical interface. One thing I didn't realize when I first installed Ubuntu Server Edition, is that when it is fully installed, it does not install any graphical interface. If you need to install the GUI, you must use the command line to do so. It's easy though - just type "sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop", enter your password. This takes a long time.

There are differences between the kernels of the Desktop and Server editions of Ubuntu. If you are interested, here is a great article, with links to more information about Ubuntu Server: http://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/netos/article.php/3710641

That being said, using a Desktop install as a server would work fine, and installing Ubuntu Server, followed up by installing the ubuntu-desktop metapackage achieves almost the same end result (the differences again being a few preinstalled packages, and the small kernel differences).

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David Wallin (david-ntfs) said : 		#4

Thanks.

I've had a look at http://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/netos/article.php/3710641 and semi-understood it!!!

But your answer raises another question!!
Should I have the desktop version or the server version WITH GUI? Or do they end up the same? I am running a system based on an AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ with 4Gb RAM (64 bit CPU and 64 bit ubuntu - should mean no memory 'cap' problems).
I'd love your recommendation - we need a GUI but 99.9% of the time it is going to be an unused server (no KVM!).

Thanks

David

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Andy Loughran (andylockran) said : 		#5

David,

Best thing to do is to set it up with a GUI - and disable the GUI on boot (add it to a different run-level).

Then, if you do need a gui, a user will only have to type 'startx' or '/etc/init.d/gdm start' to get the GUI to appear.

Regards,

Andy

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David Wallin (david-ntfs) said : 		#6

That sounds a good option.

One further question, how do I get it to start without a GUI (I assume that everything else is the same power/performance wise). I also assume that it will then look like an early MS-DOS type of system and we just type in 'startx' at the command prompt to get the GUI running.

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Best Andy Loughran (andylockran) said : 		#7

David,

You assume correctly. see http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=349517 for how to get the desired behaviour.

Regards,

Andy

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David Wallin (david-ntfs) said : 		#8

Thanks Andy - you're a star!!

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David Wallin (david-ntfs) said : 		#9

Thanks andylockran, that solved my question.