Best Linux Distro for Small Business (server)?

[codegreen]

Personally, I like plain vanilla Debian for server use myself. However, prefer the command line. As mentioned before, ClearOS and Zentyal are certainly worth testing. Another interesting option is Amahi (http://www.amahi.org/). It's primarily designed as a home server, but has some apps for small business use as well. It depends on what you need the server to do.

In general, however, I haven't been able to find a Linux small business server that can beat Microsoft SBS. Being a Linux guy, I say this with no small amount of pain.

[BM-Networking]

For Domain Controller, file, etc... Zentyal for the win. For a drop in Exchange replacement, you'll have to go with Zimbra.

I put both in for some non-profits that I provide support for and they outlast any SBS solution for sure.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Stumbled onto this thread while looking for feedback on Amahi.....

Small Business Server....an open source linux distro to emulate it would require other server suite things that SBS has.

*Domain Controller (user control)
*File/Print sharing
*E-Mail Server
*IIS (Web Server)
**Premium Versions...Firewall (to replace ISA)
**Premium Version...Database (to replace SQL)

To me..the only ones that fit the above requirements mentioned so far....
Clear OS (would be my first suggestion..VERY good product..have used it at home myself). Continued project from ClarkConnect.
http://www.clearfoundation.com/
Zentyal...which absorbed a prior fun one...eBox.
http://www.zentyal.com/
I'll also add BlueOnyx
http://www.blueonyx.it/

[tankman1989]

I personally use Ubuntu because I'm used to it. I have used CentOS a little and I hear that it is as close to RedHat without paying for Redhat.

[kevinjhaag]

Originally Posted by tankman1989

I personally use Ubuntu because I'm used to it. I have used CentOS a little and I hear that it is as close to RedHat without paying for Redhat.

I've seen CentOS in the business. Mainly Dental Offices here and all they do is process 3D Imaging that comes off the 3D Imager. I have that machine imaged for sure since I don't know all the ins and outs of CentOS.

[neuman1812]

Just Found these forums the other day. Thought I'd throw a vote in here.

Ubuntu Server with Webmin I've found to be the most configurable. Webmidn has modules that you can add/remove as needed from Apache to a Voicemail server. It also allows an interface for the server itself so you can control updates/packages/ file maintenance....etc

I've got a headless server with webmin that controls my VM's

[doortodoorgeek]

imo this is a easy answer

ClearOS maybe the easiest to install and manage Linux server with business functionality baked right in, I say maybe because zentyal is pretty solid as well

[wimwauters]

Originally Posted by doortodoorgeek

imo this is a easy answer

ClearOS maybe the easiest to install and manage Linux server with business functionality baked right in, I say maybe because zentyal is pretty solid as well

Spot on :-)

I'm helping clients upgrade from ClearOS 5.2 to 6.3

Over the last year, both ClearOS and Zentyal have shown that their user & developer base is very strong: not only with adding all possible features you could ever want but also with debugging the enduser interface, and reorganising/improving it based on feedback of IT techs.

They have now matured into being very serious platforms which give the ordinary enduser a realistic chance of managing the simple things.

[doortodoorgeek]

hey wimwauters


Yeah I keep hearing Zentyal is going to change their base from Ubuntu, makes me slightly scared of using them for a long term server, but I will say they have a mighty fine server os

[veedar]

Zentyal 3.0 just came out with Samba 4 / Active Directory integration... http://trac.zentyal.org/wiki/Document/Announcement/3.0