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Thread: Simple Newbie question(s)

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    4

    Simple Newbie question(s)

    Hi everyone,

    I'm brand new to Ubuntu, played with Linux a few years ago, a little Unix experience, tons of Windows experience. Here's what I want to do: I have a old AMD Athlon 1.2 GHz, 1 GB or RAM, tons of hard drive space. This thing is screaming home server! I want to build a VERY simple and stable file and print server for my Windows desktops. I would like to run this thing headless and administer it from one of Windows desktops.

    Due to the lack of horsepower, I was thinking I could run Ubuntu Server 8.10 with the GUI off to save CPU cycles. Am I correct in assuming that I can run with the GUI off and only turn it on when I need to administer it remotely? (not a huge fan of the CLI, but I realize that I will have to use it at least sometimes)

    If that is possible, what do I need on my Windows desktop to administer the Ubuntu server?

    Finally, am I on the right track, can Ubuntu server run efficiently on my dinosaur or do I need to look into something like FreeNAS?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Beans
    26

    Re: Simple Newbie question(s)

    I think you are definately on the right track! Personally, I prefer administrating the Ubuntu Server through a plain ssh client. In the Windows world I can only recommend putty http://www.putty.org. To transfer files (at least before you get Samba up and running) use http://www.winscp.org. If you still need to use X to administer your server, or run CS-apps like OpenOffice or similar, I'd recommend Cygwin from http://www.cygwin.com. Everything is free.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Beans
    4

    Re: Simple Newbie question(s)

    Quote Originally Posted by obg123 View Post
    I think you are definately on the right track! Personally, I prefer administrating the Ubuntu Server through a plain ssh client. In the Windows world I can only recommend putty http://www.putty.org. To transfer files (at least before you get Samba up and running) use http://www.winscp.org. If you still need to use X to administer your server, or run CS-apps like OpenOffice or similar, I'd recommend Cygwin from http://www.cygwin.com. Everything is free.
    Thanks obg123! So you think my old 1.2 GHz box is strong enough to do what I want to do?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Beans
    185

    Re: Simple Newbie question(s)

    I think it will serve for your purpose. I would install and give it a try it won't hurt and you will learn a thing or two
    And I would administer through ssh like obg123 mentioned.
    Last edited by m_l17; November 27th, 2008 at 10:32 PM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Beans
    4

    Re: Simple Newbie question(s)

    Quote Originally Posted by m_l17 View Post
    I think it will serve for your purpose. I would install and give it a try it won't hurt and you will learn a thing or two
    And I would administer through ssh like obg123 mentioned.
    Thanks m_l17,

    Ok, I am about to show my lack of knowledge here... Am I correct when I assume that using SSH will only give me access to the Command Line, or can I fire up the GUI with it?

    Sorry for my ignorance/lack of experience!

    Thanks again for all the help!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Williams Lake
    Beans
    Hidden!
    Distro
    Ubuntu Development Release

    Re: Simple Newbie question(s)

    Ssh will only allow you to administer from the command line, but if you use X forwarding you can run gui apps that are installed on your server on you desktop computer. Log in to your server like this:

    Code:
    ssh -X user@server
    Then for instance if you wan to run synaptic to install a program, at the prompt on your server type:

    Code:
    sudo synaptic
    Synaptic will open on your desktop and you can add or remove programs from there.

    I use the above on my server to use brassero to backup files, as I'm to lazy to do it from the command line.

    Jim

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Beans
    4

    Re: Simple Newbie question(s)

    Quote Originally Posted by cariboo907 View Post
    Ssh will only allow you to administer from the command line, but if you use X forwarding you can run gui apps that are installed on your server on you desktop computer. Log in to your server like this:

    Code:
    ssh -X user@server
    Then for instance if you wan to run synaptic to install a program, at the prompt on your server type:

    Code:
    sudo synaptic
    Synaptic will open on your desktop and you can add or remove programs from there.

    I use the above on my server to use brassero to backup files, as I'm to lazy to do it from the command line.

    Jim
    "as I'm to lazy to do it from the command line." Finally! I'm not the only one!

    Thanks Jim. I have just finished downloading 8.10 Server, looks like I know what I will be doing this weekend!

    Thanks again to everyone here on the forum. It's people like you that make migration to Linux possible in my opinion. I really appreciate your help and advice!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    SW Wisconsin, USA
    Beans
    109
    Distro
    Kubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr

    Re: Simple Newbie question(s)

    Your machine is plenty powerful enough to run a full GUI of any distro so you have no worries there. I have Kubuntu Feisty running on an old P3 600 mhz Dell laptop with only 256 mb of RAM and it runs OK.
    Ubuntu server 12.04 on AWS EC2
    Registered Linux user #422217

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Beans
    26

    Re: Simple Newbie question(s)

    Quote Originally Posted by cariboo907 View Post
    Ssh will only allow you to administer from the command line, but if you use X forwarding you can run gui apps that are installed on your server on you desktop computer. Log in to your server like this:

    Code:
    ssh -X user@server
    Then for instance if you wan to run synaptic to install a program, at the prompt on your server type:

    Code:
    sudo synaptic
    Synaptic will open on your desktop and you can add or remove programs from there.

    I use the above on my server to use brassero to backup files, as I'm to lazy to do it from the command line.

    Jim
    First of all, I would use ssh -Y for a more secure connection. Second, as he wants to do this from Windows, he needs an X-server to handle the GUI stuff. There is one bundled in Cygwin, mentioned in my first post (above).

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Not heaven... Iowa
    Beans
    Hidden!
    Distro
    Ubuntu

    Re: Simple Newbie question(s)

    Quote Originally Posted by eddiela View Post
    Due to the lack of horsepower, I was thinking I could run Ubuntu Server 8.10 with the GUI off to save CPU cycles. Am I correct in assuming that I can run with the GUI off and only turn it on when I need to administer it remotely? (not a huge fan of the CLI, but I realize that I will have to use it at least sometimes)
    Probably a li'l late, but...
    You should realize (or have discovered after installation), the basic server installation comes without GUI. One can be added afterwards. As mentioned, your machine should have PLENTY of horsepower (none of my machines is as powerful as your "dinosaur".)
    Linux User #415691 Ubuntu User #8629
    Iowa Team (LoCo): [Wiki] [Launchpad]
    IRC channel: #ubuntu-us-ia on irc.freenode.net

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