Anyone that knows Linux, knows that this operating system, enables so many solutions, and they are part of the Linux operating system package. You can gain almost any type of services you need, by either using the built in services on the operating system after the installation (which means they are coming installed within the OS) or by doing a simple update/download and install of new services which are not built in, It is as simple as that.

I will give some examples from the UBUNTU Linux operating system, which is one of my favorite, and it is very simple to use. Installing a service is almost made by using one simple command – called APT-GET (This command goes to find the service you need, download it, and installs it on your Linux system. Mostly it means the service will be installed and running on the system. Sometimes you might need to edit some configuration files, in order to fit it into your network definitions.

The most important issue that you need to remember is that Linux enables you to do anything you want. Linux is being used by many and some prefer to use it and not use the Microsoft Windows Operating System which is so common.

Linux has many operating systems, some are server based (no graphical interface needed) and some are suitable for client side computers/laptops, they do include X-windows which is the graphic interface of a Linux based operating system. Linux has many different graphical interface distributions, which actually means that those distributions are actually a fully functional operating system, with the needed packages of services. Each Linux distribution include different packages, and different GUI interface (which means the graphical side looks a bit different).

The base of them usually works the same, but some of them are based on different Linux Kernel, so the commands are a bit different, and needs to get used to. That is usually why most Linux users get to know one type of a Linux kernel that they get along best with and they stick to that OS and Linux Kernel, on their future Linux experiences.

So let go over some examples of what you can do with the Linux operating system, and how simple things are when defining new services to the system.

Linux Firewall:

Linux has a built in mechanism called IPTABLES, this is a port filtering mechanism, that enables you to set rules for what can pass through the system and what can’t. Firewall rules are mostly port based, any service has its own port, and by defining which ports are allowed and which are not, you can create your own firewall based on that built-in mechanism. All you will need is to place two network card on your Linux, and let the traffic pass through the Linux machine, as it controls the rules of passage. When IPTABLES is empty and no rules are applied, it means anything can go through from outside in, and from the inside out. This option is mostly used by the Linux Server systems.

* Article on how to set a simple Linux Firewall

Another option if you want a graphical management console to define the firewall:

For Linux Desktop – that includes X-Windows (a Graphic interface), you can use the FWBUILDER (Firewall Builder). This tool enables a graphic management interface, that enables you to define the firewall rules, like the tools used on firewall routers (like the CISCO PIX).

* Using fwbuilder to create a Linux firewall

Linux web server:

The Linux web server is mostly based on the APACHE service. Since most application use PHP, and databases, you can use the MYSQL, and of course PHP, so you need to install them as well, and some other tools that can assist you. Below are the basic tools you will need to create a full functional web server, which includes all of the needed services.

• Apache 2 – Linux Web server
• MySQL 5 – MySQL Database Server
• PHP4/5 – PHP Scripting Language
• phpMyAdmin – Web-based database admin software.
• Webalizer – Website Traffic Analyzer
• Mail Server – Postfix (MTA) with Dovecot IMAP/POP3 + Sasl Authentication
• Squirrelmail – A web based email
• VSFTP – A fast ftp server to upload files
• Webmin – A freely available server control panel
• ClamAV – Antivirus software.
• A Firewall using IPtables.

* Build Your Own Web Server

So to summarize, you can do whatever you want to with Linux, just search the internet and see how easy it is.

Building a Linux server, is pretty easy, you just need to find a computer (any computer), then download a Linux version (any Linux version will do, just choose a server Linux edition, and you will get spared from GUI installation, if you prefer).

The process of installing the Linux server is pretty mechanical as you move through the installation instructions by pressing the “Next” button. Today when you install Linux, it will find the suitable drivers needed for your computer, and with ease, the installation process will go smoothly, and within minutes, you will have a Linux server ready for action.

I personally prefer the Ubuntu Server distribution, I guess I just got used to it, and it’s easy to use apt-get command, that let you install automatically any software packages you need, like a web application, mail application, ftp application etc… Those are easy to install, and each package has its own instructions on how to install/configure the software package you have chosen to install, usually there will be a “README” text file or “INSTALL” text file, that by following it’s instructions, command by command you will be able to install and implement the software package into your Linux server.

The basic Ubuntu Server installation package, if you do not install any suggested packages, will give you the basics, and of course define the drivers needed for the operating system to recognize and use them, like your network card. I usually like to install only the SSH software package during the installation package, the SSH enable you to log-in to the Linux server you have just installed from your own desktop/laptop without working directly on the server itself. That enables network administrators the ease of configuring the server, from their own computer after the initial Linux server installation has been completed.

The basics of software package installation, depends on the designation of your Linux server, in short it depends on your choice of what this Linux server will do for you. If it is a Linux web server, then it will need apache2, if it is a mail server, then you will need to install one of the mail software packages, like Sendmail or Postfix etc…

I will describe some examples of what packages to install for different types of servers, just as an example, I am sure you will be able to go from here, since it is mostly the same process for any software package you might think of installing. The examples are taken from the Ubuntu Linux version.

Linux Web Server
Apache2, MySQL Client, MySQL Server, PHP 5, PHP 5 – GD, PHP 5 – MySQL, PHPMyAdmin, some also include CURL and if you would like a mail service, you can install postfix as well.
In Ubuntu, the command is pretty simple: apt-get install apache2 (for installing apache2)
If you are not sure what is the exact package name that you need to install, you can just Google it, like how to install Mysql in Ubuntu, and you will get the info you need.

Video instructions for installing Apache Server:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8y51yESHyU

Linux FTP server

One of my favorite ftp Linux server is the pure-Ftpd, it’s easy to install and configure – and it is very suitable for new users.

The command will be: apt-get install pure-ftpd pure-ftpd-common
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/PureFTP

Linux Mail Server
There are some basic Linux e-mail packages that anyone can use with a simple command, and there are more complicated e-mail servers for organization’s use.
The basic versions that you can easily install and use are:
postfix, sendmail – just do: apt-get install postfix / apt-get install sendmail
http://www.hypexr.org/linux_mail_server.php

As an organization’s e-mail server – I would recommend ZIMBRA Mail Server.
https://www.zimbra.com