Working with Linux

[peterska2]

Does anyone know anything at all about working on linux? (Knoppix Live CD v 3.8.1 just in case you need the version)

I'm suffering complete network nightmares and can just about get a connection on linux but as I am in the middle of a project it makes sense to get it running locally then I can finish it instead of having to wait for a tech from my ISP to come out to get it sorted as I've been working on a dev board on my site.

Now the thing is that I know absolutely nothing about running linux and haven't used it at all for over 2 years so it is a bit over my head.

Can anyone provide some simple, easy to follow, instructions on the best way to set up everything I need to run a localhost copy of vB? I'd really appreciate it.

Also, if someone knowsof a way to set the keyboard to UK and slow it down then that would also be fantastic as its going like the devil was after it and all the buttons are not what they are supposed to be.

All help greatfully recieved.

A very confused peterska2

[filburt1]

I switched my development dedicated server in my basement from Windows Server 2003 R2 to SuSE Linux 10.1. It's actually easier to use, of all things.

http://www.novell.com/products/suselinux/

Download the DVD ISO, burn it to a DVD, and install it. Or, download the ISO, mount it in VMware, and install it inside a VM (probably easier). Make sure you check Apache, PHP, and MySQL (and nearly every PHP module) during the installation. When the install is finally complete, you'll magically have Apache and PHP running.

Come to think of it, I don't remember if MySQL is available with the distribution, because I do remember having to take a bit of extra effort to get it running, especially to configure users and databases.

Network connectivity was never an issue. I just had to open ports in the firewall that Linux includes, and I did it through the yast2 system configuration tool (GUI-based is available) which was really easy. Hell, I've even added a 500 GB drive to it for storing movies and music. I also set up Azureus, paired it with Apache, and can manage torrents at any time I want through a web browser, complete with authentication.

Services I'm using at a glance:

• Apache (with PHP)
• MySQL
• PostgreSQL (better than MySQL in every respect)
• Cron (using it with mrtg to get real-time network usage graphs)
• IMAP mail server, although not yet using any addresses for it so it's idle for now
• SSH server
• VNC server
• SMB server (equivalent to Windows File Sharing)

Stuff Apache is doing, or at least helping with:

• Running the live site http://www.intertubes.org/ , going to be used for tiny live sites and tests of new technologies (in this case, the site uses XHTML 1.1 plus PostgreSQL)
• Running a overview site for my personal use that shows the status of MySQL, PostgreSQL, my TiVo (including listing all the shows on my TiVo), and my desktop.
• Some work-related stuff if I work from home
• Previously mentioned mrtg network graphs
• Torrent management
• Forwarding to my TiVo's web listing service, which I never use due to the second bullet point
• phpMyAdmin, restricted to my subnet
• Music listings
• Webmail (SquirrelMail)

It's ridiculously cool what you can do with it, and easily. Mind you, this is a mere $200 Dell computer (Celeron D 2.53 GHz, 1 GB RAM, 80 + 500 GB hard drive). Amusingly, the 500 GB hard drive I just installed is worth more than the system itself. And it still runs just fine 24/7.

Having said all that, I did know the basics of Linux to begin with (use ls to show files, how to edit Apache configuration files, how to do things safely as root, etc.). If you've ever SSHed into your live server and played around, then you probably will know your way around.

If you can be more specific with what you need, then it'll be easier to help. I feel like a nerd tool now recommending Linux, though. Plus 90% of this post turned into a useless brag about what I've done with my server.

[peterska2]

The problem with actually installing it is that there isn't actually a hard drive in this machine (well I count a 20mb one as none anyway) so I'm literally running of a CD.

I've never SSHed or anything, and in fact use a windows server so it is completely new to me.

Literally, the exact things that I want to do, aand they are on the CD I believe, is to set up php and mysql and apache so that I can run a copy of vB loocally on the system, and to set the keyboard up right. It's currently on some bizzare setiing where shift and 2 is @ and not " and things like that so it's causing havoc for me already.

Muchly appreciated.

[filburt1]

That's a US keyboard for sure.

Have you considered the VMware solution?

[TheHeartSmasher]

Download Debian Linux network install. After you have everything you want you can install KDE/GNOME.

This is what the big webhost use Debian or Red Hat Enterprise Linux, CentOS, anything else for websites just don't stand up.

Debian and CentoOS are free. RHEL will set you back a couple of grand.

I would say get yourself a SATA drive for your server, then with debian it will automatically configure your network for you before anything is installed and it will automatically detect all of your hardware and let you configure it anyway that you want too.

[peterska2]

Originally Posted by filburt1

That's a US keyboard for sure.

Have you considered the VMware solution?

Thats what I thought, but I just can't find where the settings are to change it.




Just to make this clear.......

This is not my server, not my host, but a tiny old decrepped PC as my internet connection is not working.

I do not want to install linux onto my PC or laptop as this is a temporary solution only.

The hard drive that is in the PC I am using is a really old one which is the enormous size of 20MB - yes MB not GB. This means that installing anything is a no-go. Putting a test vB on there with a basic empty database will pretty much fill it up as it is.

The linux I have is a Live Disc CD (ie runs from the CD) and is Knoppix 3.8.1

I don't care if it is slow or crashes. I am not running a webserver from it, I don't plan to run a web server from it, and once I get my net connection back (could be a few weeks realistically as I am moving house as well as having general internet problems) I won't be using it again.



That said, please don't be telling me about running super duper hosts or servers on it. I'm not interested in that. The PC has a 20MB hard drive and 64k RAM. It is over 10 years old and will not take any upgrading without a fight. I have no network card in it, nor any USB ports so connecting it to the net is impossible.

So back to my original question -> the list of stuff on this linux live cd says that it is mysql, php and apache on it. However, as I do not normally use linux and have never needed to know anything about it, I have no idea how to set it up. I also need to know how to get the keyboard to be recognised as a UK one and not a US one.

[TheHeartSmasher]

Give CentOS a try (live CD) it should have the most current drivers for everything and recognize your keyboard as the correct type.

I think the CentOS cd sets everything up automatically. Just burn a copy as it is free I am sure you can get to a cd burner or a computer to get the disc from CentOS.org and they provide documentation, if that documentation does not work then take a look at debian.org documentation it will work the same for setting it up buy you may have to do it manually instead of having debian do it for you.

[filburt1]

I'm not sure how something like MySQL could run, though. It would need to write tables to the database. vBulletin itself is something like 2 MB.