Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2001 08:00:08 -0600 From: jacks@sage-american.com To: "Anthony Atkielski" <anthony@atkielski.com>, <questions@FreeBSD.ORG> Subject: Re: Tiny starter configuration for FreeBSD Message-ID: <3.0.5.32.20011029080008.00fa6e38@mail.sage-american.com> In-Reply-To: <00a301c1606e$bc00e990$0a00000a@contactdish>
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Well, you are certainly thinking it through and you have cover some important aspects. One thing that jumped out at me is using Walnut Creek. Be sure to look back at the archives here. There are many discussions about Walnut Creek containing a number of complaints. Mostly, however, why don't you consider getting the most currect Stable 4.4 version that is up to date and readily available via download? Make a bootable CD... or download the files needed. There is a mini-install ISO if you don't want to tackle the full version. Don't know the last date of Walnut Creek's CD that I thought were stopping distribution... Or, simply get the boot floppies and install via FTP.... again getting the most current versions of your choice.... Your will have to decide if you want Stable or Current releases... No matter what, it is a lot of fun and a very good learning experience! ...and this is a very good list to follow as you go along. Many helpful & knowledgeable folks here. At 12:42 PM 10.29.2001 +0100, Anthony Atkielski wrote: >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 > > Best regards, Jack L. Stone, Server Admin Sage-American http://www.sage-american.com jacks@sage-american.com To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message
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