How to Setup Fedora 9 Server

Fedora 9 has arrived at last. Naturally, I already downloaded and burned the discs. But before I start setting and testing Fedora as a server and a desktop, I need to do my reading. As an ancient Chinese proverb says: “if you participate in the unknown game, never make a first move”. I already brushed through multiple reviews of beta and pre -release versions. But I need to read a review of somebody with reputation about the final version. This is the requirement of our web analytics company too.

There is already some interesting material in HowtoForge written by a famous volunteer Falco. There is also a new material describing setup of a Fedora 9 desktop as well. Falco’s recommended server configuration is based on the following applications: Apache web server (SSL-capable) with PHP5 and Ruby, Postfix mail server with SMTP-AUTH and TLS, BIND DNS server, Proftpd FTP server, MySQL server, Dovecot POP3/IMAP, Quota, and ISP firewall.

I am not much into Ruby, so I will get by without it. And I prefer Sendmail to Postfix, so I will go along with it. As usual, Falco does not use Iptables firewall but chooses ISPConfig, while I like Iptables and plan to use it.

There were several bugs that Falco discovered during setup, probably for the first time, especially with Network Manager that prevents to connect properly to Internet. I have encountered minor problems with Network Manager too and always disabled it, so it would not interfere with my network choices. He also disables SELinux and I wholeheartedly agree with this choice because SELinux caused me a lot of grief before. There are other more comprehensive ways to make your system secure unless one has some kind of paranoia.

I don’t recommend installing either proftpd or vsftpd unless you plan to provide web hosting services or want multiple users to access your server. You can also decide for yourself whether you want to install Webalizer or you would like to process your logs differently.

You also have a choice to install your server with or without Gnome. If before visual interface for the server created unnecessary overhead, now with all dual core and quad core processors and abundance of memory of modern computers, just indulge yourself a little. Go wild and install the GNOME.