CentServer: Like CentOS, but on one CD and without X
I was pleased as the proverbial punch to receive a link in the latest Distrowatch Weekly, and I didn't even have to stoop to my usual begging. (Thanks Caitlyn!)
What I also saw in the column was the announcement of a new distribution, CentServer, which is based on CentOS. For those who might not know, CentOS is itself a free clone of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
I've run CentOS as a desktop system, and lately especially (since 5.2) been extremely pleased.
But CentServer, and those behind it, care not. They want a SERVER OS, with none of the trimmings. No X (because real admins don't use X ... or is it because of the hit on performance?).
Here are CentServer's features:
- Optmized for server
- No X window
- Minimal server components included
- Automate installation support (without any interaction)
- 1 CD (384MB)
- Setup from scratch in 5 minutes
I like. A single CD, automatic install (although real server geeks like the fine-grained control you get in the Slackware installer, where you can choose what will install package by package). Five-minute setup — great for getting a box up quickly.
Here's another distro I'll be watching. I don't exactly know what makes it more secure than plain-vanilla CentOS, and I'd certainly like to find out.
CentServer's big problem: This might not be a problem for you (the global you) but it's a problem for me: CentServer is 64-bit only. It runs on both AMD and Intel 64-bit CPUs, but I don't have a single 64-bit CPU in my herd. ... OK I might have a old AMD laptop in the junk pile, but I'm not about to turn it into a server ...
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Steven Rosenberg aims to learn what he does not know. He writes about it here.
Steven Rosenberg aims to learn what he does not know. He writes about it here.
This isn't really a new idea, and I have been using CentOS server images for production machines for many years now.
http://www.centos.org/
I pretty much agree. I've heard from quite a few people who say using the first CentOS CD and unchecking all the install options gives you a very minimal install upon which you can build the server you want/need.
That said, I'm very much a fan of CentOS both on the server and the desktop.