Re: Advice on Linux for a newbie
Hi,
On Wed, 20 Feb 2002, PsychoSphere2K wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I am looking to install a customizable Linux distribution on a 24-node
> cluster. It will run a highly modified kernel on AMD Athlon XP (1500+)
> processors, with 512MB RAM each. These machines will act as servers for
> an experimental university network.
>
> The Linux distribution need not provide all of the software, just the
> essentials, to build the kernel, and run it. We will compile and install
> the server software. It must include an X server, and a lightweight
> window manager (WindowMaker comes to mind). In addition, it must be
> small, under 500MB.
>
> Ideally, it will not contain any of the clutter that tends to be found
> in the "one-size-fits-all" distributions like RedHat.
>
> Does Debian satisfy the criteria? If not, can anybody suggest a
> distribution that does?
>
Well, I do not have experience with clusters, but Debian complies to all
your wishes.
Debian is package based and there are very few packages needed to get the
system running. Currently I have a system with 110MB running (without X),
and you can do pretty much every basic Linux thing.
Basic X is not big either. You will sure be able to keep the basics below
500MB. The advantage is that you can deceide which packages you want and
wich not. And it is easy to update and maintain because you can easily get
the packages from the internet or from a local server. And you can compile
your own program and make a debian package out if it easily.
To start you up, after Debian is installed:
# dpkg --get-selections
gives you a list of installed packages. If you thing you do not need one,
check with:
# apt-cache show <package>
and remove it with:
# apt-get remove <package>
This way you can shrink your system even more, if you think the default
installation is still too big.
To update:
# apt-get update
# apt-get dist-upgrade
To install a package (your X server for example):
# apt-get install xserver-common
# apt-get install xserver-xfree86
# apt-get install twm (this is really bare bone wm, you could go for
fvwm95 for more comfort)
Dependencies are automatically solved.
So experiment a bit. I am sure you will like it.
Greetz,
Sebastiaan
> Thanks a lot in advance,
> Ben Williams
>
>
>
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