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I'm looking for a good Linux server OS with a GUI that are free. What are the most popular options for me?

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100% accept rate
How is this a bad question? – Bubby4j Aug 19 '09 at 17:03
It isn't a good question, but not worthy of downvotes IMO – DWilliams Aug 19 '09 at 17:04
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From the FAQ: "Avoid asking questions that are subjective, argumentative, or require extended discussion. This is not a discussion board, this is a place for questions that can be answered!" – Richard Hoskins Aug 19 '09 at 17:05
Thanks! I'm glad that some users know what to use. – Bubby4j Aug 19 '09 at 17:09
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'best' is definitely subjective. However, I think he/she is just looking for recommendation. So his/her question is worded a little clumsily, but I think the true point of the question is valid. – Mike M Aug 19 '09 at 17:17
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closed as not constructive by Sathya♦ Apr 16 '11 at 4:44

This question is not a good fit to our Q&A format. We expect answers to generally involve facts, references, or specific expertise; this question will likely solicit opinion, debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. See the FAQ for guidance on how to improve it.

9 Answers

up vote 13 down vote accepted

Well most "Server OS's" imply not having a GUI in general. For most linux distributions, the line between Desktop and Server editions is just what packages they come with. They are usually the same thing "under the hood". You could take a desktop release, strip all the "home" programs out of it and turn it into a perfectly good server (or for that matter it would still make a good server even if you left all the fluff applications there).

It is my opinion that you won't get very far administering a Linux server if you don't know how to work from the command line. In your situation, however, I would recommend downloading Ubuntu Server edition and then getting a guide to install X and your desktop environment of choice (GNOME, KDE, Xfce, etc).

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I fully agree. But how do you know about his situation when his question consists of just two short sentences? – innaM Aug 19 '09 at 19:08
I just needed a simple solution. This one works pretty well. – Bubby4j Aug 19 '09 at 19:14
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@Manni - I'm just putting two and two together. If he's asking this question then chances are he doesn't know much about Linux (not that that's a bad thing - I'm always looking to help/convert people to Linux). If he doesn't know much about Linux, then he probably just wants a GUI to make it easier, and from that I give my suggestion. – DWilliams Aug 19 '09 at 20:20
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up vote 5 down vote

Gentoo

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LOL – innaM Aug 19 '09 at 19:08
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up vote 4 down vote

I'm not sure that Bubby4j is looking for X Windows when he asks for a GUI. What he is probably after is a means of administering his web server, mail server, DHCP etc through a graphical user interface.

You could start with something easy like Ubunutu Server, and then add the ubuntu-desktop package, and then you could select something like ebox or webmin/virtualmin (both can easily be installed with the ubuntu package manager).

Hope that helps!

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I think these options have already been mentioned in other answers and comments, but just a +1 as a welcome at Super User. ;-) – Arjan Oct 24 '09 at 13:11
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up vote 3 down vote

The 3 most popular linux distros are:

  • RedHat Enterprise Server (and its totally free equivalent CentOS)
  • Debian (and its more popular child Ubuntu)
  • SuSE.

Any of these will stand you in good stead, I prefer CentOS as RedHat systems tend to be used more by businesses, Ubuntu tends to be more geared toward desktop users, and SuSe is more popular in Europe.

All these can have a GUI on them, even the server versions, just choose the right option when installing.

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How to you choose to have a GUI while installing Ubuntu server edition? – Bubby4j Aug 20 '09 at 15:01
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sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop – gbjbaanb Aug 20 '09 at 18:22
or kubuntu-desktop to get the (superior) KDE version. As a recommended alternative, forget putting the GUI on the server, instead install webmin and admin your server via that without the need for a desktop GUI. – gbjbaanb Aug 20 '09 at 18:23
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up vote 2 down vote

For an above average user Ubuntu server edition.

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up vote 2 down vote

The only reason most linux distros are labled server is because they take out all the GUI and "pretty" stuff. They strip it down to just the services you need so it can run as efficient as possible. So I do not think you are going to find many "server" builds of linux that even have a GUI even installed.

I like Ubuntu Server, but you can modify any linux distro to have server functionality, so you could take a normal user distro and add the services you need or vise versa.

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up vote 2 down vote

Gentoo is the best, performance-wise.

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up vote 2 down vote

I think Ubuntu Server is easiest to get your head round, especially if you're already used to the Ubuntu desktop, but it's still a command-line install. If you want to control it graphically, I personally think Webmin is a better choice than a regular GUI as that allows you to control it via a web browser. But for the most part, you can't get away with not using the command line for a Linux server.

From what I hear many sysadmins dislike having a GUI at all because it induces extra overhead, and more potential vulnerabilities that could be used to hack into it.

If you want to use it as a network-attached storage or home server, I suggest you check out FreeNAS. It's based on FreeBSD rather than Linux, but it's small, fast and comes with a load of useful software such as a web server, mail server and BitTorrent client, all easily controllable via a web interface.

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up vote 1 down vote

Suse (opensuse) - with their YaST configuration tool, which can run in text mode only as well as in GUI most of the configuration and administration tasks are really easy to perform.

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