Linux distro for dedicated server

Tek7@Work

Tek7@Work

CGA President, Tribe of Judah Founder & President
Here's a question for the Linux experts:

If you were to choose a Linux distro for running a dedicated server hosting a web site, voice chat servers, and possibly game servers as well, which would you choose? CentOS? Ubuntu? Something else?
 
I would choose CentOS. I move my clients to it as soon as the will let me, if they are on other distros. It has just always worked, and there is plenty of support for it.
 
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/server

12.04 and it has LTS, meaning five years staying updated. I used to like Ubuntu desktop until they switched to the mac like interface. But I think the server is still probably good because I don't think the GUI matters as it is a server. Also Steam for Linux is coming out sooner rather than later.
 
Lloren said:
or Windows.
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That's right out due to licensing costs.

saudi said:
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/server

12.04 and it has LTS, meaning five years staying updated. I used to like Ubuntu desktop until they switched to the mac like interface. But I think the server is still probably good because I don't think the GUI matters as it is a server. Also Steam for Linux is coming out sooner rather than later.
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The Steam client doesn't have any impact on the decision whatsoever since I'm looking at distros for a server environment, but if I were to pick a Linux flavor for a desktop OS, it would very likely be Mint.

Ubuntu Server Edition might be a top contender, though.

saudi said:
Gentoo would be good also if you really really really want to work at it.
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No. I don't. I really don't. I've spent enough time staring at a command line to last me a lifetime.
 
The steam for linux was just more of a hooray yay thing. Yes, I prefer Linux Mint right now for a desktop linux, its pretty snazzy.
 
Tek7@Work said:
That's right out due to licensing costs.
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It's a cost tradeoff. Example randominess based on experience setting up both for LAMP and other things.

Linux free server + 24 hrs setup @ $50/hr = $1200.

Windows server (web x64) $450 + 10 hrs setup = $950

I know it's not hip to be a Microsoft fan, but anything which saves man hours and stress and hairpulling... is a good enough for me. Being cool is not a price I'd want to pay. :)
 
Lloren said:
It's a cost tradeoff. Example randominess based on experience setting up both for LAMP and other things.

Linux free server + 24 hrs setup @ $50/hr = $1200.

Windows server (web x64) $450 + 10 hrs setup = $950

I know it's not hip to be a Microsoft fan, but anything which saves man hours and stress and hairpulling... is a good enough for me. Being cool is not a price I'd want to pay. :)
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The difference is that all CGA staff members are unpaid volunteers (myself included).

For a business setting, Windows may be the better choice in some situations. I dunno.
 
Tek7 said:
The difference is that all CGA staff members are unpaid volunteers (myself included).

For a business setting, Windows may be the better choice in some situations. I dunno.
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I think the volunteer's families think their time is worth the above. :) But absolutely free (Linux) is good stuff.
 
Lloren said:
I think the volunteer's families think their time is worth the above. :) But absolutely free (Linux) is good stuff.
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Well, in all fairness, CentOS has worked well for everything except Mumble and even that could be resolved if the Mumble and Ice development teams released official packages for CentOS.

EDIT: And yes, we definitely respect the time our volunteers invest to keep our community running!
 
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I've switched my Linux servers to ubuntu LTS. Cent6 has been problematic in my own testing in more areas than just voip servers.
 
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