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Old 02-09-2001, 11:20 AM   #1
gomer1701ems
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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: in front of a computer
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Hello. Recently, I have come across the operating system Linux, and I have a few questions that maybe you can help me with.
1. The computer I would be running Linux off of (all by itself; no dual boot) is the following:

AGC Charger III

Intel Pentium III 650 Mhz
Intel 810 Chipset Motherboard
2 USB Ports
20 GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive
64 MB SDRAM
52X CD-ROM
8MB graphic on board
AC97 Digital Sound on board
56K V.90 PCI internal modem
1.44 MD FDD and Microphone
Multimedia Speakers
PS2 Win Keyboard and Hi-Res. Mouse
Mid ATX Tower Case

Is the above computer sufficient for running Linux? I have been told that Linux can still run on really old machines, but is this one fast enough for it to be a personal web server (www.mypersonaldomain.com, etc.)? Will all of the above be compatible with Linux? Is 650 Mhz fast enough? Also, I will be connecting to a 3com cable modem (model number 3cr29220) as well as a router (probably a Linksys). Will both be compatible? Is there sufficient RAM, or should I get more. What about a NIC card? Can I upgrade the RAM to 128 MB and put a NIC card in there (is the computer physically upgradeable?)?

2. Mandrake or Redhat? Which to get? I’ve heard that Redhat is more stable, but Mandrake is easier to run, plus it is geared for people coming out of Windows. Or is their another brand I should get? I know I can download them for free, but I want to buy them and get all the technical support as well as installation manuals.

3. Firewall. Does any brand of Linux come with a firewall, and if it does, how good is it? Should I purchase a separate one? I saw one ad for a firewall specifically designed for Linux, but I have forgotten where I saw it.

4. Anything else? Any other tips, tricks, websites to visit that I should know about?

Thank you for your help.

gomer1701ems
 
Old 02-09-2001, 01:45 PM   #2
trickykid
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Registered: Jan 2001
Posts: 24,149

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1. Yes I would say that your machine is sufficient enough for Linux. It should be fast enough for a www domain. So far everything looks compatible, might want to check out your internal modem though. If it is a winmodem, might be hard to install. Yes, Linux machines are fully upgradeable. As far as I know, most 3com cards are Linux friendly and I do believe if your talking about he Linksys cable/dsl router, you should be able to get that working too....but it would be a tricky task to get it to work thru a router like that one mentioned, since the router makes it so all your computers behind it have a 192.168.x.x IP address.
2. I prefer RedHat, but highly suggest Mandrake if you totally new to Linux. Once you know what you want, then you might want to change distro's to like Debian, or SuSE, or anyone of the other distro's out there.
3. Linux comes already where you can have or setup a firewall. But you might want to look at others just to see what you might need or to suit your needs.

Well, hope this helps in any way.....any other tips or tricks...always read the HowTo's at http://www.linuxdoc.org great information.
 
  


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