| Full documentation will not be available right
here, but here are some of the server tasks Linux is capable of
Apache web server and Postfix SMTP server It comes right out of the
box in a default install with both capabilities. For sending mail you no
longer need to know the address of your internet provider's SMTP server. As
long as you are connected to the internet, you can send mail by entering
localhost as your SMTP server, and Postfix will send your mail.
No longer are you out at the mercy of your ISP to send mail. For a similar
capability in Windows, you'll need to install Windows 2000 (Professional is
enough) or NT4 Server (to get IIS and SMTP service which is a part of the IIS
package). I've previously gone
over its file and print server capabilities on a Windows network, using
Samba. It can also run DHCP server, and (within limits)
netlogon services. SQL and Oracle database capabilities also
exist. It won't fully substitute foe Microsoft Exchange, but then your
organization might only need a POP and SMTP server, in which case
their deployment in lieu of Exchange can save your organization from a
forced deployment of NT Server or 2000 Server which MS-Exchange
requires in order to function. Linux is commonly used even in NT
organizations as a firewall. Click here for a discussion of firewalls
and internet connection sharing |