Desktop vs. Server Versions in the Role of Server

[Steve Richardson]

I blog about law office technology and am looking into the uses of Linux in the law office. To that end, I have set up Feisty Fawn Desktop on both a regular PC and a laptop. Part of my research on Linux in the law office is to see how it can make a great server. That said, I need to get a better idea of when the Server edition is a better choice. I am told that the desktop version makes a good, secure file and print server; so when would you use the Server version (other than when you need LAMP to host your own web/e-mail server on the Internet)? My thought was to install the server version on the desktop PC and use the laptop as a client in a mini-Linux network. Any advice? Is this a good idea? Some of the legal software I have seen out there for Linux does require MySQL and seems to be server-side apps. Would it be worthwhile to set up a Linux Server or are these types of apps (i.e. those specifically needing server software) rare?

[Alex Turner]

IMHO: The 'best' route is probably the one you are taking setting up a server and then clients. However, the easier route would be to put the desktop solution on all your machines so they are all basically the same. Then install server applications as and when you need them.

Basically the point to drill home is this - in the unix (linux) world there is no difference between a server and a client. The notion just does not exist. The only difference between server and client versions is just the balance of software and kernel modules that come built in.

Good luck - AJ

[Steve Richardson]

AJ

Thanks. That does explain things well. From what you tell me, if I were to install the Server version of Ubuntu, it would look just like the versions I installed on the workstations, but be tweaked and preconfigured with LAMP and other server-side goodies (and perhaps have a different GUI). I am concerned that, as a Linux newbie, I would have problems installing and configuring MySQL (which is probably the main server app in LAMP that I would need for my testing purposes other than Linux itself). Using the Ubuntu server distro might be overkill, but it would give me the platofrm I need to test some of these apps. Your thoughts?

Steve

[Alex Turner]

Steve,

I agree with your thoughts on this. How about having a go with the server version for your server and seeing how you get on. Sometimes the best solution is to just have a go :)

AJ