Tell me more ×
Super User is a question and answer site for computer enthusiasts and power users. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 0 down vote favorite

i've been running linux for a while and i think i'm starting to "understand" it. Now, i want to try and master the shell and server-side stuff so, i'm looking for a distro, shell only, to run servers like apache, ftp, and make a git remote repository.

I need it to be simple enough so i can install it as a virtual machine (virtual box) and it doesn't make it hard to have network running out of the box.

Thanks for your help

share|improve this question
1  
If your experience is limited to one Linux distro, you'll have to decide if you want to try a lighter (without X), but similar distro, or a completely different one. The differences are mostly in package management and init systems, but those differences can be major. – Eroen Mar 19 '12 at 18:49

closed as not constructive by Simon Sheehan, slhck♦, Oliver Salzburg♦, techie007, Nifle Mar 19 '12 at 20:42

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or specific expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, see the FAQ for guidance.

3 Answers

up vote 6 down vote accepted

Any distro should do; you might want to take a look at Debian (starting from a GUI-less install) and Ubuntu Server.

share|improve this answer
1  
+1 Ubuntu Server – William Jackson Mar 19 '12 at 2:39
1  
+1 Debian for server builds – Paul Mar 19 '12 at 3:29
+1 Ubuntu Server – Joseph Mar 19 '12 at 7:27
up vote 0 down vote

Of course there is always Cygwin. You'll get the bash shell running on Windows in a "Linux-like" environment, and do quite a lot that you would do on an actual Linux system.

share|improve this answer
up vote 3 down vote
  1. Try Gentoo. Handbook (Yes, you will need to read it.) and images.
  2. Learn.

Networking should work with just a few commands typed in after boot, I believe the cd images even have a neat curses interface to set it up for you. Then you can start installing it.

I never had troubles running it in Vmware, and I see no reason it would fare any worse than any other distro with other Virtualbox.

Oh, and a tip: Upgrade to the latest numbered version of Portage at some point, it will save you a lot of troubles/surprises.

Edit, second tip:

Do everything you can over ssh rather than in a virtual framebuffer, so you can copy and paste.

share|improve this answer
Gentoo is the way to go if you really want to get to grips with the way linux works. – Paul Mar 19 '12 at 3:31
Yea but I think the OP was looking more for how to configure things like Apache and Git, not build his OS from scratch – TheLQ Mar 21 '12 at 17:49

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.