Author Topic: Netbook as a lite duty linux server? (Read 2508 times)

mtnbkr · « **on:** June 16, 2011, 07:30:07 AM »

My remote storage server kicked the bucket this week after a thunderstorm caused the "datacenter" to lose power. It was an Apple G4 Cube running PowerPC Linux, so it wasn't particularly powerful to begin with. So, I need to replace it. Mine and the datacenter admin's requirements are that it have a small footprint and be silent. For the money, I think a netbook would work, but I have no experience running Linux on a netbook. Can you run regular Linux distros on a netbook? I'm not doing anything fancy, just running an SSH server as the only service and an IPTables ruleset to protect the box. It will accept incoming SSH connections from my rsync script once per night.

I think a netbook would be a step up power-wise, be more compact, and come with a UPS, but I don't know if they have any hardware limitations that will require a special or neutered version of Linux.

Chris

lee n. field · « **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2011, 08:14:35 AM »

Quote from: mtnbkr on June 16, 2011, 07:30:07 AM

My remote storage server kicked the bucket this week after a thunderstorm caused the "datacenter" to lose power. It was an Apple G4 Cube running PowerPC Linux, so it wasn't particularly powerful to begin with. So, I need to replace it. Mine and the datacenter admin's requirements are that it have a small footprint and be silent. For the money, I think a netbook would work, but I have no experience running Linux on a netbook. Can you run regular Linux distros on a netbook? I'm not doing anything fancy, just running an SSH server as the only service and an IPTables ruleset to protect the box. It will accept incoming SSH connections from my rsync script once per night.

I think a netbook would be a step up power-wise, be more compact, and come with a UPS, but I don't know if they have any hardware limitations that will require a special or neutered version of Linux.

Chris

My emachines netbook has been running the desktop version of the current of Ubuntu since the day I got it.

GigaBuist · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2011, 09:16:33 AM »

I've got an Atom based desktop PC chugging away in a closet somewhere right now. It's not really doing much, just waiting for me to load up some stuff like bind and network traffic monitoring software, but it's up and I gave it a couple of days with Folding@Home on it to see if it'd blow up.

It's a FoxConn box, barebones, came from NewEgg for like $105 bucks. Slap in some RAM, a HD, and you're good to go. Runs quiet, there's not much for fans, and you should save a little coin over the netbook.

roo_ster · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2011, 10:09:22 AM »

A netbook will cure what ails you.

Mine runs xubuntu and I could install whatever I wanted to on it.

For a server, I'd skip the graphical desktop and you'd put even fewer demands on the hardware.

erictank · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2011, 10:14:52 AM »

Quote from: mtnbkr on June 16, 2011, 07:30:07 AM

My remote storage server kicked the bucket this week after a thunderstorm caused the "datacenter" to lose power. It was an Apple G4 Cube running PowerPC Linux, so it wasn't particularly powerful to begin with. So, I need to replace it. Mine and the datacenter admin's requirements are that it have a small footprint and be silent. For the money, I think a netbook would work, but I have no experience running Linux on a netbook. Can you run regular Linux distros on a netbook? I'm not doing anything fancy, just running an SSH server as the only service and an IPTables ruleset to protect the box. It will accept incoming SSH connections from my rsync script once per night.

I think a netbook would be a step up power-wise, be more compact, and come with a UPS, but I don't know if they have any hardware limitations that will require a special or neutered version of Linux.

Chris

I ran the regular distro of Ubuntu on my HP Mini 311 (Atom N280 (a whopping 1.67GHz) single-core CPU/Ion chipset netbook; upgraded to 3GB RAM and replaced stock 160GB HDD with a... 320, I think? Can't remember. Did it because I could and because the netbook itself was free thanks to Verizon FIOS) for my computer-concepts class last semester. Had zero issues with it. Of course, the same machine runs Win7 Home Premium normally, so I wouldn't expect there to be issues. Today's netbooks have, IIRC, slightly-faster-clocked dual-core CPUs, generally, so I'd think you'd be fine.

Still, you can get a barebones system with an AMD or even Intel Core-something CPU, or even a full-on notebook, for about what you'd drop on a netbook, and I have never seen a netbook which came with a UPS (unless you mean the installed battery intended for cordless ops, I guess?). Full-size gear is cheaper, faster, and larger-capacity than netbook drives, too. Could go Giga's route with one of the Atom-powered SFF desktops, maybe - his sounds like a new toy for non-heavy-duty use that might meet your needs, and that seems like a heckuva deal.

K Frame · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2011, 10:48:26 AM »

I wasn't exactly honest with you.

The Cube did make a funny noise

After I shot it.

It pissed me off.

mtnbkr · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2011, 11:22:34 AM »

Quote from: erictank on June 16, 2011, 10:14:52 AM

Still, you can get a barebones system with an AMD or even Intel Core-something CPU, or even a full-on notebook, for about what you'd drop on a netbook, and I have never seen a netbook which came with a UPS (unless you mean the installed battery intended for cordless ops, I guess?). Full-size gear is cheaper, faster, and larger-capacity than netbook drives, too. Could go Giga's route with one of the Atom-powered SFF desktops, maybe - his sounds like a new toy for non-heavy-duty use that might meet your needs, and that seems like a heckuva deal.

Regarding barebones systems:

I haven't seen one yet that will come in at less than $250 after you add CPU, Memory, HDD, etc. Plus, they are larger and noisier, both of which are more important than capability. The Atom-powered SFF desktops would work, but the benefit of the netbook is the monitor and keyboard, which make hands on work easier (box needs to be headless in production, but it's a PITA to drag that out when hands-on work is to be performed).

And yes, I meant the internal battery as UPS. :)

If you shop around, you can find deals on older Netbooks. I've seen prices from the high $100s to mid $200s. Performance isn't an issue as this task was being handled by a box with a 450mhz processor and less than a gig of ram. Anything short of a TI calculator will be an upgrade. It just needs to run SSH and IPtables.

My biggest concern with the netbook was funky hardware that might take a special, neutered distro to run.

Chris

AZRedhawk44 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2011, 12:03:14 PM »

I'm running Ubuntu 11.04 on my Asus Eee-PC. 2GB RAM, Intel Atom processor. Works great.

I've run a LOT of stuff on that netbook over the last 2 years.

At one point I was being a power scrooge and I ran that thing with WinXP, Visual Studio 2005 and 2008, SQL Server 2005 and a whole bunch of other stuff, as my work PC while working at home. I had an external 24" display to provide a reasonable-sized desktop to work with.

Netbooks are more powerful today than servers were 4 years ago.

mtnbkr · « **Reply #8 on:** June 16, 2011, 12:13:36 PM »

Quote from: AzRedhawk44

Netbooks are more powerful today than servers were 4 years ago.

Actually, not quite, as there are more factors to system performance than memory size, hdd capacity, and raw CPU clock speed, but your point is taken. Netbooks do offer a lot in small packages and compare favorably with systems of a few years ago.

Chris

lee n. field · « **Reply #9 on:** June 16, 2011, 12:21:12 PM »

Quote from: mtnbkr on June 16, 2011, 11:22:34 AM

My biggest concern with the netbook was funky hardware that might take a special, neutered distro to run.

Chris

Do what I did.

I walked into walmart with a bootable Ubuntu USB stick. Asked permission, then booted off that to check. Everything including wireless and sound "just worked".

This thing pretty much is my usual computer. I keep the Win 7 Starter Edition side on the disk, with some tools that are easier to use in Windows.

I suspect that if usual desktop Ubuntu works, a headless server version will too.

GigaBuist · « **Reply #10 on:** June 16, 2011, 12:22:29 PM »

Quote from: mtnbkr on June 16, 2011, 11:22:34 AM

It just needs to run SSH and IPtables.

Wait, IPTables? Is this thing a router/firewall of some kind? If so, what's the plan for getting a 2nd NIC in there?

lee n. field · « **Reply #11 on:** June 16, 2011, 12:24:59 PM »

Quote from: GigaBuist on June 16, 2011, 12:22:29 PM

Wait, IPTables? Is this thing a router/firewall of some kind? If so, what's the plan for getting a 2nd NIC in there?

USB NICs are cheap.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #12 on:** June 16, 2011, 12:28:23 PM »

I don't know what a linux is, but have you tried Ubuntu?

mtnbkr · « **Reply #13 on:** June 16, 2011, 12:42:51 PM »

Quote from: GigaBuist on June 16, 2011, 12:22:29 PM

Wait, IPTables? Is this thing a router/firewall of some kind? If so, what's the plan for getting a 2nd NIC in there?

I use IPTables to block a lot of stuff and set up alerting/logging for specific suspicious activity. This is an Internet connected box. One of my rules detects >X connection attempts in Y minutes and blocks any IP that exceeds a set threshold (normally 2 ssh connections in 1 minute). I have other rules to block bogus packets, known bad IPs/networks, etc.

Chris

Bogie · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2011, 01:41:25 PM »

About all I'd worry about is the thing getting warm, or the battery charging stuff taking a dump, and turning into a firebomb...

Personally, for office machines or "monitor the data" stuff, I like $100-150 refurbed from Ebay machines... I've picked some up loaded with XP Pro and four gigs for that price...

erictank · « **Reply #15 on:** June 16, 2011, 01:53:12 PM »

Quote from: mtnbkr on June 16, 2011, 11:22:34 AM

Regarding barebones systems:

I haven't seen one yet that will come in at less than $250 after you add CPU, Memory, HDD, etc. Plus, they are larger and noisier, both of which are more important than capability. The Atom-powered SFF desktops would work, but the benefit of the netbook is the monitor and keyboard, which make hands on work easier (box needs to be headless in production, but it's a PITA to drag that out when hands-on work is to be performed).

And yes, I meant the internal battery as UPS. :)

If you shop around, you can find deals on older Netbooks. I've seen prices from the high $100s to mid $200s. Performance isn't an issue as this task was being handled by a box with a 450mhz processor and less than a gig of ram. Anything short of a TI calculator will be an upgrade. It just needs to run SSH and IPtables.

My biggest concern with the netbook was funky hardware that might take a special, neutered distro to run.

Chris

Well, under those circumstances, the netbook should do just fine. It can be difficult, sometimes, for me to restrain my impulse towards "MOAR POWER!!!" - even when that's not necessary.

K Frame · « **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2011, 02:56:23 PM »

"or the battery charging stuff taking a dump, and turning into a firebomb..."

Considering that this thing is going to be in MY house, yeah, that's a consideration.

mtnbkr · « **Reply #17 on:** June 16, 2011, 03:18:25 PM »

I guess that could be a concern, in the same manner as any other random object catching fire and burning a house down (like happened with my coworker and the car in his garage). In the same manner, the attic fan in my parents' house shorted out and started burning when I was in HS.

Chris

Hawkmoon · « **Reply #18 on:** June 16, 2011, 09:27:32 PM »

Quote from: mtnbkr on June 16, 2011, 11:22:34 AM

If you shop around, you can find deals on older Netbooks. I've seen prices from the high $100s to mid $200s. Performance isn't an issue as this task was being handled by a box with a 450mhz processor and less than a gig of ram. Anything short of a TI calculator will be an upgrade. It just needs to run SSH and IPtables.

Prices are dropping. I was in a Wal-Mart this afternoon, buying vitamins for my wife. Took a stroll through the computer aisle. The Acer Aspire 1 is now at $248. It's the Windows 7 Starter version, comes with 1 GB RAM and a 250 GB hard drive.

I paid $279 for the same machine about 8 months ago. It's great. Memory can be upgraded, but I haven't found any need to do so.

zahc · « **Reply #19 on:** June 16, 2011, 11:08:41 PM »

I've had Ubuntu LTS on my 1st generation Aspire 1 ever since I got it the day they launched. I did put an Intel wireless card in it, but I think the wireless card that came with it was just crap anyway.

zxcvbob · « **Reply #20 on:** June 18, 2011, 01:06:58 AM »

I have an old Asus netbook that came with Linux installed. I didn't like the distro and I installed Ubuntu 8.1 (don't remember exactly which one; either EEbuntu or the "Netbook remix" package.) It runs great, even the webcam drivers, and has plenty of power for everything except Flash video (and the Internet is eat-up with Flash content

) It handles other video just fine, including compressed video, and video playback is a lot more processor intensive than running a SSH server.

I have another netbook running Windows 7 32-bit, and that actually runs better than Linux. (it has trouble with Flash also; why can't they put a decent graphics accelerator in a netbook? :cuss: )

Bogie · « **Reply #21 on:** June 18, 2011, 02:59:25 AM »

Thing is, netbooks, and laptops for that matter, are not -designed- to run 24/7... If you do end up doing something like this, stick it on top of a fan...

mtnbkr · « **Reply #22 on:** June 18, 2011, 07:01:36 AM »

zxcvbob, I'm not worried about horsepower, any netbook is going to be more powerful than what I was using until recently. My primary concern was not being able to install a full, un-neutered distro. I think that idea popped into my head because I remember the Linux that came pre-installed on the eeePC (was very neutered).

Bogie, I'm well aware that laptops aren't designed to run 24/7. Then again, neither are the average desktop. I'm also aware that this box will be idle 99% of the time and will never be particularly tasked. Also, any modern netbook will have better temp management than the Apple G4 Cube it is replacing. This isn't the first, second, or even third time I've had a laptop running 24/7.

Chris

zxcvbob · « **Reply #23 on:** June 18, 2011, 08:18:03 AM »

Quote

My primary concern was not being able to install a full, un-neutered distro.

Full-blown Linux works just fine on a netbook.

News:

Author Topic: Netbook as a lite duty linux server? (Read 2508 times)