[gentoo-user] Gentoo server installation

[gentoo-user] Gentoo server installation

[Perenaster]

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Hey,
I dont't know if this is the right list I'm writing to but I want to use
Gentoo as server. My aim is a small as possible installation of an OS with
only the modules I want. So I thought Gentoo might be the OS of choice. Is
it suitable for an server or should I look for an other distro?
Is there anything in particular that I have to mention at the installation?
Thanks in advance,
Tom

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Re: [gentoo-user] Gentoo server installation

[Pandu Poluan]

On Fri, Jun 10, 2011 at 17:13, Perenaster <perenaster@googlemail.com> wrote:
> Hey,
> I dont't know if this is the right list I'm writing to but I want to use
> Gentoo as server. My aim is a small as possible installation of an OS with
> only the modules I want. So I thought Gentoo might be the OS of choice. Is
> it suitable for an server or should I look for an other distro?

You know, we have a mailing list dedicated for those using Gentoo as
servers : gentoo-server

That said...

Depends on your definition of 'suitable'.

If you're more focused on 'only the things I need and nothing else'
a.k.a 'pedal-to-the-metal performance optimized for my system', then
the answer is a resounding : YES

If you want quick and (relatively) painless ( = fast ) updates, then
Gentoo's not really suitable for you.

Unless you want to take the time and pains to learn and implement an
'update server' who will perform the binary package creation.

(imagine trying emerge --update @world for 100 servers)

> Is there anything in particular that I have to mention at the installation?

Well, just use the hardened stage3, hardened profile, and hardened sources.

Oh, and config the kernel manually, of course :-)

> Thanks in advance,
> Tom

Rgds,
-- 
Pandu E Poluan
~ IT Optimizer ~
Visit my Blog: http://pepoluan.posterous.com

Re: [gentoo-user] Gentoo server installation

[Joost Roeleveld]

On Friday 10 June 2011 12:13:22 Perenaster wrote:
> Hey,
> I dont't know if this is the right list I'm writing to but I want to use
> Gentoo as server. My aim is a small as possible installation of an OS with
> only the modules I want. So I thought Gentoo might be the OS of choice. Is
> it suitable for an server or should I look for an other distro?
> Is there anything in particular that I have to mention at the installation?
> Thanks in advance,
> Tom

Hi Tom,

Gentoo is quite usable as a Server. I use it as such myself.

The installation itself is the same wether it's for desktop or server. The 
only difference is which packages you install once it's running.
If you follow the handbook you end up with a working system where you can 
install the software you need/want. What will be missing, compared to most 
other distributions, are things like a graphical desktop.
For a server, this is not necessary and is also not found on my server.

What is usefull to consider is what the server is going to be used for. With 
this, I mean, to consider if using a "hardened" profile would be advisable. If 
yes, it's best to start with that rather then to convert your installation 
afterwards.

And I'm sure others on this list will have plenty of ideas as well.

--
Joost

Re: [gentoo-user] Gentoo server installation

[Alan McKinnon]

Apparently, though unproven, at 15:15 on Friday 10 June 2011, Joost Roeleveld 
did opine thusly:

> On Friday 10 June 2011 12:13:22 Perenaster wrote:
> > Hey,
> > I dont't know if this is the right list I'm writing to but I want to use
> > Gentoo as server. My aim is a small as possible installation of an OS
> > with only the modules I want. So I thought Gentoo might be the OS of
> > choice. Is it suitable for an server or should I look for an other
> > distro?
> > Is there anything in particular that I have to mention at the
> > installation? Thanks in advance,
> > Tom
> 
> Hi Tom,
> 
> Gentoo is quite usable as a Server. I use it as such myself.

Funny think about Gentoo is that it can save you a few MB of disk space by 
removing things you don't need.

But it consumes 3GB of disk space to do it.


-- 
alan dot mckinnon at gmail dot com

Re: [gentoo-user] Gentoo server installation

[Pandu Poluan]

On Fri, Jun 10, 2011 at 21:29, Alan McKinnon <alan.mckinnon@gmail.com> wrote:
> Apparently, though unproven, at 15:15 on Friday 10 June 2011, Joost Roeleveld
> did opine thusly:
>
>> On Friday 10 June 2011 12:13:22 Perenaster wrote:
>> > Hey,
>> > I dont't know if this is the right list I'm writing to but I want to use
>> > Gentoo as server. My aim is a small as possible installation of an OS
>> > with only the modules I want. So I thought Gentoo might be the OS of
>> > choice. Is it suitable for an server or should I look for an other
>> > distro?
>> > Is there anything in particular that I have to mention at the
>> > installation? Thanks in advance,
>> > Tom
>>
>> Hi Tom,
>>
>> Gentoo is quite usable as a Server. I use it as such myself.
>
> Funny think about Gentoo is that it can save you a few MB of disk space by
> removing things you don't need.
>
> But it consumes 3GB of disk space to do it.
>

Heh, I personally don't really care about hard disk usage.

All I know is, compared to other 'server'-oriented distros (or distro
variant), Gentoo has the least amount of memory usage :-)

Rgds,
-- 
Pandu E Poluan
~ IT Optimizer ~
Visit my Blog: http://pepoluan.posterous.com

Re: [gentoo-user] Gentoo server installation

[Perenaster]

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thank you al for your responses! this really helped a lot I will try to
install and use Gentoo as server and I also will contact the gentoo-server
mailinglist if I experienace any problems
Thanks
Tom

2011/6/10 Pandu Poluan <pandu@poluan.info>

> On Fri, Jun 10, 2011 at 21:29, Alan McKinnon <alan.mckinnon@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > Apparently, though unproven, at 15:15 on Friday 10 June 2011, Joost
> Roeleveld
> > did opine thusly:
> >
> >> On Friday 10 June 2011 12:13:22 Perenaster wrote:
> >> > Hey,
> >> > I dont't know if this is the right list I'm writing to but I want to
> use
> >> > Gentoo as server. My aim is a small as possible installation of an OS
> >> > with only the modules I want. So I thought Gentoo might be the OS of
> >> > choice. Is it suitable for an server or should I look for an other
> >> > distro?
> >> > Is there anything in particular that I have to mention at the
> >> > installation? Thanks in advance,
> >> > Tom
> >>
> >> Hi Tom,
> >>
> >> Gentoo is quite usable as a Server. I use it as such myself.
> >
> > Funny think about Gentoo is that it can save you a few MB of disk space
> by
> > removing things you don't need.
> >
> > But it consumes 3GB of disk space to do it.
> >
>
> Heh, I personally don't really care about hard disk usage.
>
> All I know is, compared to other 'server'-oriented distros (or distro
> variant), Gentoo has the least amount of memory usage :-)
>
> Rgds,
> --
> Pandu E Poluan
> ~ IT Optimizer ~
> Visit my Blog: http://pepoluan.posterous.com
>
>


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[gentoo-user] Re: Gentoo server installation

[James]

Perenaster <perenaster <at> googlemail.com> writes:


> Hey,I dont't know if this is the right list I'm writing to but 
> I want to use Gentoo as server. My aim is a small as possible 
> installation of an OS with only the modules I want. 

I run several gentoo servers, on a minimal configuration.
It is painless and I do most updates at night, unattended
on the servers. Oh, I run duplicate machines on my servers
with mostly stable software; so if a version rollback is necessary
on a given piece of software, it's not too cumbersome (mostly).
If you are pushing the latest Java technology, it'll be a bit 
more challenging, imho. Minimal firewalls using Compact Flash 
are a favorite of mine using gentoo.

For a server, I'd suggest RAID although those docs are a bit dated,
folks here will help you stagger through the installation if
you choose to add RAID to your server(s).


Be careful, *Gentoo will seduce you* into building that ultimate
workstation, just the way you want it. TIME SINK, particularly if
you want tons of the latest software from various sources, but ultimate
pleasure as a workstation. Gentoo also runs as an embedded
platform and on many different architectures. If you are
not vigilant, Gentoo will even enhance your dreams, as
you sleep.


caveat emptor!
hth,
James