Chapter 13. The Linux Server

For many people, the primary use of Red Hat Linux 6 is as a server. There are many different kinds of servers, but a working definition of the term could be: "A server allows multiple remote users to share or make use of the same resources." Following this definition, a server could allow users to share files and a file system. Going somewhat further afield, servers are used to share database engines and "serve" Web pages.

Linux is an excellent server platform and is used as the operating system of choice in many mission-critical situations. As you may know, it is used as the operating system of choice by a great many Internet service providers (ISPs)—companies that provide services such as Internet access and Web hosting. Closer to home, Linux works well as a file and print sharer in small-scale home and office environments.

This chapter covers a variety of topics related to using your Linux system as a server, including the following:

• Telnetting to your server

• Configuring Linux as an FTP server

• Network File System (NFS) servers

• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

• Connecting Microsoft Windows clients to your Linux server using SAMBA

• Connecting to Microsoft Windows systems with smbclient

• Using Linux as a mail server

• Security guidelines

By way of warning, it's important to keep in mind that network configuration is a black art and a science. Furthermore, every network situation is different. The material here should be enough to get you started, but that is all.