Building a linux server / pc - hardware

[madman045]

Looking to build a linux server to store music, files etc.. and a linux pc to surf the net, watch films, use an ipod etc..

But what i just thought is, what hardware do i pick for the job, what will definately work without the fiddle of hunting for drivers and trying to make it all work...

Is there a guide on selecting compatible hardware?

Thanks

[b0redom]

Pretty much everything will work these days. Don't go for bleeding edge stuff, and you'll be fine.

You might want to try Ubuntu if you're new to Linux, I understand that's reasonably easy to install/use:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupport

Tom

[Steve B]

ive got an ubuntu box and its been pretty easy to get it all set up. hardware wise i think ATi linux driver support is pants, so try get an nVidia one

[alexkoon]

For a server I would probably choose old hardware as the drivers etc will be more stable and you don't need powerful kit to run a fileserver. For a desktop, choose well used popular kit as it would most like be supported - things like nVidia, Creative etc.

Desktop distros will probably be ubuntu for ease of use, for server I would consider debian (Ubuntu is debian based anyway).

[ikonia]

don't go too old as some drivers will no longer exist in the 2.6 kernels and support will have been ceased. Also too old and you won't be able to take advantage of some of the more standard newer features.

Just get a P3-ish style box with as simple controllers as possible (stay clear of nvidia or propritary disk controllers if possible)

[madman045]

Thanks All, well i actually have the ubuntu cd on my desk, so i will give that a whirl, i did make a VM of it and found it good...

As for the server, i will get debian, i have a p3 933 spare, intel mobo and 512mb on it so that can be the file server

Edit: 15 ISO cds for debian...

Do you really need all that as 8GB in two DVD ISOs is tad OTT.

[Steve B]

theres a server version of ubuntu, which doesn't come with x, but can be installed post-server-install. It should fit on one CD

any packages that need to be downloaded, php, mysql or apache modules or even X itself, just use

sudo apt-get ...

[directhex]

Edit: 15 ISO cds for debian...

Do you really need all that as 8GB in two DVD ISOs is tad OTT.

depends how you want to install. the 15 CD set contains binaries for every package in debian (of which there are about 21000) for a given architecture. the alternative to installing packages from CD is to install from the web. to that end, you can get away with installing the base system with a single disk:

CD1 (700MB)contains the installer, base system, and most popular packages, and installs the rest as needed
"netinstall" (100MB) contains the installer, and installs the rest as needed
"businesscard" (40MB) contains a little bit of the installer, and installs the rest as needed

though i'd support the Ubuntu Server suggestion - there's some neat things not in Debian