Hello world! I just started this group and am a newbie to Linux, but really want to learn system administration. I am very savvy in a windows environment, and technically intuative, in my opinion. So here is my first question / questions.

I have a p4 home computer that I decided to use to learn Linux administration. So I downloaded MEPIS live CD and installed it permanitely on my harddrive with a dual boot to windows.

Now I have discovered that MEPIS is designed more for the desktop environment instead of as a server. So I decided to go ahead and use the package installer to install Postfix, Apache, MySQL, SSH, and an FTP server app.

Also I have registerd with easydns my own domain name and configured that for dynamic dns. I have also installed ez-upupdate from the package installer and attemped to configure that.

I have also scored two more p2 machines that I would like to use to create a network, all from my sbc dsl line.

My problem is that as of right now, none of these server apps are working. I cannot figure out how to have any of these apps start at bootup, nor have I figured out how to ssh to my server, ftp to it, setup my virtual email accounts, or even ping my server from elsewhere.

Should I have just considered using a Debian install? So that everything works from the get go?

Mepis is based on Debian/Ubuntu. Take a look at this article if you want to learn how to manage services on Debian based distros.

This site is where I got my original info. So I went over it again. I typed 'update-rc.d ez-ipupdate remove' and then
'update-rc.d ez-ipupdate defaults' and this removed and reset the runlevels. But then I reboot and check the ps (I even have gPS now) and it is not listed. If I just type 'ez-ipupdate start', it will ask me to specify all the settings that belong in the ez-ipupdate.conf file. If I go to easydns.com and check my ip, it is setup to a public 192 ip address. This does not seem right to me. How does it know which modem to go to? I do not use a router.

I know I am so close. I can practically taste it.

I got into Linux at the beginning of the year and it sounds like we have allot in common.

My home network consists of a Windows 2003 server, two XP workstations, a wireless XP laptop, and now -

1) Debian Sarge workstation running as a multimedia / recording station. 2) Sarge server running Apache2, Samba, Squid, squidguard, DansGuardian. (locked down with iptables)

I’m trying to decide either to put the Linux server between my cable modem and my network or setting up another box as a gateway.

Just finished a few articles on IDS, Network security, and securing Debian.

Anyway I would suggest to read as much as you can on the subject/direction of your interest. I've been using the internet exclusively to gain access to books and articles. There are tons of it.

As for version I really like the flexibility of Debian/Sarge. Very configurable, tons of support / addons. There are flavors compiled for specific usage but I like to get my hands dirty and crash systems a few times. That’s what it takes for me to learn. I've done full reloads 5 times to date.

Note – Linux administration check out Webman GUI content management tool.

Well from one newbie to another stick with it if you really enjoy it / read, read, read.

mph....

I decided to just leave MEPIS installed and try to customize it for my needs. For the most part it is stable and running smoothly. I considered going debian, but i guess the last version is somewhat dated now and MEPIS is very recent.

I spent two weeks trying to get my darn dynamic dns client working, and now think I have finally got there. But I still need to connect remotely and what not, which is not working just yet. Reading sure does slow the process down, but ultimately teaches me alot.