rawling
July 17th, 2009, 07:16 PM
Hi all.
I'm planning on installing Ubuntu on an old Pentium 2 system I've got lying around as a proof-of-concept before trying it on a plug computer (http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2244860/marvell-unveils-plug-computing).
I'm intending for the system to do light server-y things: local file and printer sharing (with Windows machines), a small HTTP and maybe FTP server, just stuff for personal use. The machine won't have KVM attached during use, but can do for installation, and it does have access to a CD drive. However, I'd like to be able to get a desktop remotely (from Windows) e.g. with Xming and XDMCP (http://www.straightrunning.com/XmingNotes/) - I'm not comfortable enough yet to try and install and maintain such a system just through a remote shell, or only individual window forwarding(?).
So, is there a particular type of install (or at least starting point) that will e.g. leave only a shell running locally but allow remote graphical access (i.e. the machine can "serve windows" but isn't burdened with the ability to "view windows"), or should I just take the easy route and do a normal(or light/xubu etc.) desktop installation? I've taken a look at the installation pages (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation) but can't really tell whether this half-graphical-access is possible, or even worthwhile.
I'm planning on installing Ubuntu on an old Pentium 2 system I've got lying around as a proof-of-concept before trying it on a plug computer (http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2244860/marvell-unveils-plug-computing).
I'm intending for the system to do light server-y things: local file and printer sharing (with Windows machines), a small HTTP and maybe FTP server, just stuff for personal use. The machine won't have KVM attached during use, but can do for installation, and it does have access to a CD drive. However, I'd like to be able to get a desktop remotely (from Windows) e.g. with Xming and XDMCP (http://www.straightrunning.com/XmingNotes/) - I'm not comfortable enough yet to try and install and maintain such a system just through a remote shell, or only individual window forwarding(?).
So, is there a particular type of install (or at least starting point) that will e.g. leave only a shell running locally but allow remote graphical access (i.e. the machine can "serve windows" but isn't burdened with the ability to "view windows"), or should I just take the easy route and do a normal(or light/xubu etc.) desktop installation? I've taken a look at the installation pages (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation) but can't really tell whether this half-graphical-access is possible, or even worthwhile.