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From BEL

1 Which Distro to use
2 BEL Releases
3 Download & Info pages
- 3.1 BEL Servers
- 3.2 BEL Desktops

Which Distro to use

Linux has a plethora of options when it comes to deciding exactly how to implement it.

There are so many distros to choose from, each of which has been assembled by it's developer(s) to meet a specific need. This is true when it comes to using Linux as a server also.

There are a number of distros that specialize in meeting server roles and needs. Most of these focus on enterprise class operation, but, as any Linux distro, are very flexible and scalable for use in almost any environment. Especially small business.

For a variety of reasons, BEL Project has come to rest on four Linux distributions that we feel will be able to best fit small business needs with the least amount of 'extra' configuration. This isn't to say that a distro we don't list as one of our preferred isn't or can't be used adequately for your tastes and needs, only that through the testing we have done with a large number of distros, these are the four that we have found to be the 'best of show' so to speak.

Enterprise Servers

These first two distros we regard as 'Enterprise' class servers because they offer the level of security and 'tightening down' that most commercial data centers would deem as secure enough to handle highly sensitive data like credit card numbers and purchasing information.

Of course, it goes without saying that while these can 'scale up' to such security needs, they can also 'scale down' to meet your local server needs as well.

CentOS

CentOS is based on Red Hat Enterprise, is very stable , has a 'life span' of 7 years (meaning that each major release will receive 7 years of security updates before being discontinued.) it is free in cost, and offers a single package repository instead of multiple repos as Red Hat does because there is no need to separate 'paid' apps from 'free' apps.

CentOS ships with SELinux to help make the system more secure, which comes in most handy with high availability, sensitive information storage servers.

Because CentOS is based so closely to Red Hat, it enjoys a reputation of being solid, reliable and secure, especially among enterprise IT staff who know their way around RedHat but don't need to pay for extra vendor support.

CentOS is installed from an install DVD which allows for specific and customized setup of the server.

Debian

Debian is one of the 'GrandDads' of Linux distributions. It is released in a stable version and enjoys a singular reputation for said stability. It also has the largest package repository collection of any Linux distribution. There are more applications available for Debian than any other distro around.

Debian has SELinux supported in the kernel, which only needs to be activated by the admin. Novells AppArmor is also available in the Debian repos as well.

Upon installing Debian from an install CD/DVD, the user has the opportunity to build a very specific system. Custom made, so to speak, to perform the tasks and duties the small business needs.

The "lifespan" of a Debian release is about one year from it's release date. However, In Debian, package maintenance and security updates are ongoing often for several years at a time. The ability to update a Debian system to the next available stable release is very easy to do and keeps the whole system current, if that is desired.

Somewhere In-Between

OpenSuse

We include OpenSuse in this category because it is able to be used pretty much anywhere, in our estimation. (Not to say that any of the distros we list here couldn't be used in any manner, we just feel that some are better suited and perform best to the one environment.) OpenSuse includes the oft discussed AppArmor tools which are intended to provide a similar level of security as to that of SELinux. The results have been discussed and debated in many circles, but nonetheless, it is used in commercial, production servers fairly often.

OpenSuse will be offering a life cycle of approx. 20 months for each release, while on the outside, may not seem like much, however, there is a method,s tarting with release 11.2, using their own zypper package management tool, to upgrade to the most current version, thereby keeping your install as up to date as possible over the lifetime of your hardware.

OpenSuse is the Community version and often referred to R&D release for Novell Suse. Recently, Novell just assigned some of it paid developers to work on the OpenSusse version, further providing a layer of credibility and support to this commercially backed distro.

Local Servers

We refer to these two choices as best for local server options. That does not mean they can't be used for web facing purposes, only that we don't recommend them for hosting sensitive data like credit card numbers, client information, etc... for example, While PCLinuxOS does not offer SELinux or AppArmor, Ubuntu server does use AppArmor. While AppArmor is easier to configure than SELinux, it is widely regarded as not being secure enough for these highly sensitive areas such as commercial servers managing credit card and customer purchase data.

Ubuntu Server

Ubuntu Server is part of the very popular Ubuntu release family. It has been adopted in production by a few notable enterprises and Cannonical, it's parent organization, is hoping to see it's use grow over time.

Ubuntu Server is installed from an install CD and offers scripts to facilitate specific types of server setups quickly. While Ubuntu server does have SELinux support, it is very limited and otherwise encourages use of AppArmor.

Ubuntu Server offers a variety of release schedules which include:

A) The six month schedule, each release receiving 3 years of security update support and easy update to the next if desired.

B) The LTS schedule with each release approximately two years apart and each offering 5 years of security update support as well as easy update to the next LTS release, if desired.

Mandriva Based

Mandriva is a well established distro that has been used as the base for many other community distros. It is the originator of the Mandriva Control Center which creates a user interaction for management that is nearly unprecedented.

With a combination of the Control Center, which offers both a GUI and an NCurses (text) version), and a remote access method such as SSH or Webmin, the capacity for control is hardly improved on anywhere else.

Mandriva also supports both AppArmor and SELinux, giving those concerned with providing solid security for their servers and users some of the best tools available.

Keep an eye here in the next few weeks for a new batch of How To's and articles on making the best use of Mandriva as both a work desktop and a server.

BEL Releases

A note on the status of BEL releases. All BEL Project releases are officially discontinued and have no repositories to support their use.

We number our series as 1, 2 , 3, etc... The version follows after a dash ( - ) so you will see an ISO listed perhaps as Server Basic KDE 1-0 or 1-4 or 1-5, and so on.

We consider all the series ending in 0 or 5 to be "stable". If it has any other digit after the series number, it is not considered "stable" and is an update or development version, testing out new concepts and additions for future "stable" inclusion.

If you want a sure to work version, you want to stick with a series ending in -0 or -5.

Also remember that servers are not meant or intended to be updated for the heck of it. These servers will run solidly without any updates other than perhaps ones required for security updates or necessary features.