Linux Guru Needed

[Jason]

Hello everyone,

As a preface to this post, I wish to let everyone know that although my company is a competitor to FutureQuest, I have worked with Deb and Terra over the years on a number of different things and have hung out on these forums for years. I'm absolutely not trying to drum up business (I doubt I'd ever be able to get any of you to leave FutureQuest even if I had the inclination to try to convince you to do so - which I certainly don't). I just know that the caliber of people here (and anyone who have been smart enough to choose FutureQuest) is amazing and as such this seemed like an excellent place to post this message. I'm posting this with Deb's blessing.

I have need of someone who knows Linux fairly well backwards and forwards who could do an install on a server for me. We're pretty much an all-NT shop right now, but use Linux for a couple of things and right now have a need for a couple new Linux boxes. I have a friend who usually does Linux installs for me when I need them, but he's very over-worked and thus takes a long time to get things accomplished, and of course I work in a very "now" industry.

Anyone who has done Linux installs for web servers (running Linux with Apache) who might be interested in helping us out, I'd like to hear from you. Budget isn't very large, but I'm happy to negotiate a reasonable compensation. We're looking for someone we can form a long-term relationship with. I do *not* need an on-staff SysAdmin. Just someone who can work on a contract basis from time to time when we have the (infrequent) need of Linux help.

I'd like someone who is not only familiar enough with Linux and Apache that they can install and configure the software, but if you have knowledge of other related software (for example, a back-end administrative control panel system so that my Linux-ignorant staff can do at least some work on this box), that'd be really helpful.

Please drop me a note at jason@windowswebhost.com if you are interested.

Thanks,

Jason Ellis
Hosting Solutions, Inc.

[Deb]

I'm posting this with Deb's blessing. ;)[nbsp][nbsp]True...as well as noting that whoever this person is should consider moonlighting with FutureQuest as well :P

Deb
[nbsp]- Work'n for a liv'n

[Matt]

I am in the process of setting up a Linux box. I am not a Linux guru, but have some experience from Solaris machines as well as previous (version 6) versions of Red Hat Linux. I'm not looking for a job :), but wanted to share some experience/ advice on possibly doing the install yourself.

There are free and commercial kits that will set Linux up for you with various permutations of Apache, PHP, MySQL, etc. You can find several in the PHP section of www.devshed.com (http://www.devshed.com). After trying many of the free installers out, I have discovered that Red Hat has some custom/ nonstandard configurations that do not work with most of these scripts. You may have some luck with other distributions. If you are wanting to set up Tux or something Red Hat specific, you don't have much choice but to go with Red Hat.

The commercial software that I finally ended up (successfully) installing on Red Hat 7 (works with Red Hat 6.x as well) was Abriasoft's Merlin server. You should check out the site: www.abriasoft.com (http://www.abriasoft.com). I will warn you that the documentation is sparse and unfriendly, but it works on a clean install of Red Hat 7, which is all that really matters. The features are listed in more detail on the site, but in summary it gives you the latest versions of Perl, Apache, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Webmin, PHP, SSL, and more (shopping cart, ad management, webmail, etc.). It is very helpful in that it tells you where all the config files are placed in addition to getting everything working together.

Webmin is a program that let's you administer the server using a web browser. Security consists of username/ password + IP protection. This should help out with your "back-end administrative control system."

This software is also available for Windows, although you have to purchase the Windows copy separately. Their support staff charges $160/ hr for technical support beyond basic configuration/ installation. Basic configuration/ installation support is included free for 30 days after purchase. You might have difficulty communicating with their staff, but commercial support is there.

Additionally, I'm setting up a firewall and user accounts with telnet, ftp, and http access. Virtual servers can be set up with Webmin.

So, if you don't have a whole lot of money to spend, this might be a good solution. If you need additional help let me know.

-Matt
[This message has been edited by Matt (edited 03-20-01@8:14 pm)]