So, what Linode guest OS do you use? Do you run Drupal 6 and 7 on it? And both PHP 5.2 and 5.3, or just one?
Before spending another 4 hours in OS upgrades, LAMP install, and such, I thought I would ask here, where so many members already have Linode VPSes. I'm thinking of trying Debian next, or Ubuntu. I'm hearing Ubuntu is ready for being a server now. Is that true?
Any recommendation on one of the hundreds of prebuilt distros Linode users have made available? My plan was to built from scratch, like I have done before many times. I'm tired of being an early adopter, on the bleeding edge, and just want something that can be built in a day inside a VPS, which has special complexities, I no longer have a taste for learning. I'd rather be doing innovative Drupal development.
Background Details:
I've got a new Linode.com VPS, and thought to use CentOS 6, but it does not directly support Drupal 6 using PHP 5.2.17, as it lacks a RPM, except from third party repositories, which I could use, but I also want to use Drupal 7 with PHP 5.3, and CentOS 6 has no direct support for install or running both PHP levels at the same time. Sure, I could build PHP 5.2.17 from scratch, and separate libraries, and configure Apache, a lot of work, a big learning curve.
So, I tried Gentoo, and got into trouble with /dev environment last night. I've had this trouble with Gentoo in OpenVZ, and know the effort to resolve it. I noticed Linode has no support guides for Gentoo, but does all the other releases.
Comments
Virtualmin and Ubuntu
I'm relatively new to the Linode thing, but I'm using Ubuntu 10.04 LTS on mine (just a Linode 512, the cheapie), controlling it largely with Virtualmin GPL. As I say, still new to the whole thing, but it's pretty friggin sweet so far. I haven't started running any major stuff on it yet, just tinkering right now, but it's great so far.
sounds like I'm similar to
sounds like I'm similar to @chellman. ubuntu 10.04 LTS -- overall quite happy. but again, as I say to anyone considering... if you don't know linux, or how to troubleshoot, or where config files are, etc... this is not for newbies!
I used a slightly customized LAMP stackscript ... and then tweaked the server. (for ex. first thing I did was setup a firewall and ssh for keybased authentication only). I also tweaked some of the etc config's to better support the creation users/client accounts on a web server. and ya, I tweaked apache setup to my liking -- mostly by tightening security or customizing for Drupal.
However, I am NOT using Virtualmin. I do not like a lot of the packages it installs or some of the default settings -- such as a web directory being browsable ... and didn't feel like learning virtualmin versus starting with clean ubuntu (which I know very well) plus using some of my own scripts.
I also have debian6 setup for a couple clients. I have found the config, the performance, and upstream patches VERY similar to an Ubuntu LAMP setup ... even tho I had read differently. I mean, obviously both are using APT package management... but I've read many offhanded remarks that debian is more solid than Ubuntu. So far, not what I've found. But, its also why I chose Ubuntu for my own. (mostly so I had firsthand knowledge -- and not taking a chance on a client site)
hope that helps
--
mike stewart { twitter: @MediaDoneRight | IRC nick: mike stewart }
If you decide to go with
If you decide to go with Drupal 6 then CentOS is still one of your options - but this is why Redhat began to leave a bad taste in my mouth right the end of version 5.2.
My personal preference have been Slackware, Debian, and CentOS for server platforms. And in that order.
I hope that helps :)
Bradley D. Thornton
Manager Network Services
http://NorthTech.US
Registered Linux User #190795
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Why only Drupal 6 for CentOS?
Why only Drupal 6 for CentOS? If there is an article that I should read then please post it.
Debian all the way for
Debian all the way for solidity/stability/performance. Feels the same as Ubuntu, a little bit more restrictive in the codebase/packages you're allowed to use out of the box, but tradeoff is better performance, more stability, etc. You can always add more edge-case repositories to your sources.list if you're restricted by what Debian exposes, but unless you have really specific reason to want/need Ubuntu, Debian is the better choice of the two.
Los Angeles, CA
Ya, I've read this before...
Ya, I've read this before... but I've started to question it recently. I'm not claiming to be an expert or suggesting to use Ubuntu LTS over Debian but from what I've read there really isn't any substantial difference between the two if you're running in a virtual environment. I'd love if someone could point to something specific that details why Debian for a LAMP/LEMP stack would be faster or more solid, etc?
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mike stewart { twitter: @MediaDoneRight | IRC nick: mike stewart }
Drupal 6 and 7 + Ubuntu 10.04.3 LTS + Virtualmin
I use Ubuntu 10.04 LTS with latest update and with Virtualmin to automate multi-site creation and management.
There are two Drupal 6 sites and three Drupal 7 sites on this VPS. PHP version 5.3 default from distro.
No problem so far *knock on wood*