SME Server
SME Server formally known, as E-smith SME Server formally known, as E-smith is a free linux based software solution that can provide the all the network services an individual or small business needs. DHCP, E-Mail, FTP and Web Server are some of the services this can provide. This software also can be used to provide a firewall/gateway to share out your dialup or high speed Internet among several computers. The system also allows for you to do backups of the system, this includes any files that are stored on the system. So if you have 20 gigs of data sitting on a network share on your sme server your backup will include that data. As can be seen below the software does not require much to run.
Main System specifications System Requirements!
Other hardware
Processor lists Pentium Class - I do believe that I recall that AMDs work just as good.
No Sound card is required
Video card any
Floppy any
Monitor any
CD ROM any (if you dont have one handy then you can do a network install)
Modems Only Linux-compatible may be used Mouse not needed. (But some older motherboards require one be hooked up.)
Setup is fairly simple for anyone who has an above average computer knowledge. Setup is via a simple Gui. After the install most normal changes are done either at the console or by logging in remotely using a program called putty. (PuTTY: a free telnet/ssh client) Basically if you can navigate in DOS or at the console prompt in windows then you should have no problems installing and administering it. The average computer user can more then likely figure things out by skimming the manual and asking for help in the forums at www.crontribs.org or with the assistance of a computer geek..
While the default install is perfect for the average user there are many user created crontibs that add more powerful options. that you install on your SME server that installs programs that add functionality Some are pretty straightforward and the creator has done most of the work for you by creating an install script that is executed while logged in as root in the console. Others require you to install several rpms that add additional functionality to your SME Server.
Warning Warning Warning !!!! Heed the following warnings before installing custom crontribs/rpms.
1. Make sure it is written for the version you are using. The common howtos span version 4.0 , 5.0 and 6.0. This being said between the different revisions things change so what works for one might cause another version to crash or not work properly. I recommend testing before installing on a version that it was not written for.
2. When installing crontribs/rpms even though others have tested many of these remember installing these makes your system unique so what works for everyone else might cause your system to crash because of the other upgrades you have done . I recommend installing on a test machine before installing directly to a production machine you depend on. I have made the mistake and installing directly and found myself having to do a fresh install, reconfigure the server (add users reconfigure mail, upload website) and reinstall my custom rpms, because I did not test it first.
3. I suggest doing a backup of whatever base configurations users and other configs) you will use before installing any contribs/rpms. The reason for this is in my limited experience using the backup/restore I was not able to use the backup I made on a base system until after I reinstalled the custom rpms in the backup I had made. This is in my experience so it might have been something I did.
4. Any crontribs/rpms you install back them up because as everyone knows web pages are here today gone tomorrow and there are several sites that had the files needed and the simple to use instructions, whereas other sites will have the instructions and you have to hunt online for the file and vice versa.
Here are some of the crontribs that I use on my server, which is running version 5.6.
(If I'm linking to your page and you want it removed then email me at (admin@cell.homeftp.org)
Ftpchroot On a default install users that log in via ftp are able to navigate into other directories on the server. This allows the system admin to lock ftp users in specific directories.
MTRG This allows me to see the traffic that is coming and going thru my SME server. This links you the howto page with an install script on http://sme.swerts-knudsen.dk/
System Info This allows me to see an overview of my system stats.
Links http://sme.swerts-knudsen.dk/ -This guys site has several helpful how tos listed on his site plus he has created install scripts that automate the installs. Be careful most of his stuff applies to version 6.0.
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Other How to guides on the Net..
http://gd.tuwien.ac.at/opsys/linux/e-smith/docs/howto/ Manual for version 6.0
http://www.contribs.org/contribs/bobk/SME_Manual/chpt-00.1-toc.html
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Here are some of the various rpms that I have found . RPMs