Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2001 12:42:04 +0100 From: "Anthony Atkielski" <anthony@atkielski.com> To: <questions@freebsd.org> Subject: Tiny starter configuration for FreeBSD Message-ID: <00a301c1606e$bc00e990$0a00000a@contactdish>
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I've decided to set myself up with a tiny UNIX system to provide a break from the Windows world (my main machine being Windows NT), and to give myself more experience and familiarity with UNIX. I've decided on FreeBSD because (1) it's free; (2) it has been around a while, and has a good reputation for reliability and completeness; (3) my Web site already runs under FreeBSD; and (4) I just don't like the idea of Linux at all, and something like Solaris would cost a king's ransom. So what I need to do is find the software and pick some modest hardware configuration to support it. I was thinking of just buying the Walnut Creek FreeBSD distribution, and then a tiny PC (bought new and assembled) to run it. For barely more than the cost of a decent monitor, I can get a 1-GHz processor, 128 MB of RAM, 20 GB on one IDE disk, CD-ROM drive, etc., to which I can add an Ethernet NIC and a hub and a cheap monitor. While this wouldn't even be enough to boot Windows XP, it should be plenty for FreeBSD--right? Anything I need to watch out for? Does the Walnut Creek box give details on required hardware? This machine won't be a production machine (although I might eventually try using it as a firewall). It will be on my LAN (unconnected to the Net) and will be left running most of the time. I expect to access it mainly by Telnet or SSH from my Windows machine over the LAN, so video on the FreeBSD box can be minimal. I just want to make sure there aren't any hidden pitfalls that I need to watch out for when picking a bare-bones machine to run the OS. Is the Walnut Creek distribution "pure" FreeBSD? That is, they haven't "customized" it with other junk in the way that some vendors "customize" Windows, right? I want plain vanilla everything. Just the basics. I need to be able to log in over the LAN as root (or other users), and play with vi and things like that, and be able to transfer files with FTP (the simplest way to move data between machines, I think), and so on. Nothing fancy. This will be my first attempt at building and administering a UNIX system from the ground up, although I have some experience with UNIX on a limited basis already (as a user and virtual-server admin, but not as root or a system programmer). I have several decades of experience in IT in general, on systems from mainframes to handhelds, so overall sophistication is not a problem--if the manuals are clear, I should be able to figure anything out. Any suggestions, comments, warnings, or friendly advice? To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message
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