How To Setup A Linux Server For A Home Network

Linux, which’s the freely available UNIX option developed to run on personal computers. It has become a widespread choice for users who want to setup a server on a home network. Because the operating system is cheap (and often free), essentially network capable, and stable, it gives many of the qualities useful in a networking server.

Setup A Linux Server For A Home Network:

Step 1

Select a computer. Although the standard system requirements for Linux are almost weightless. The ability of the server to manage various connections may directly belong to the computer’s performance. Because of this, moderately sized networks (those consisting of three to five computers) can work with a standard retail computer available at any computer store or series discount retailer. Large networks may require a more powerful computer to manage many synchronous connections. For most networks, a computer with a minimum of 512MB of random access memory known as RAM, a 2.0 gigahertz or faster processor, a network card, and a large (500 megabytes or higher) hard drive should be enough.

Step 2

Install Linux. If you have not already set up or installed the Linux operating system on your server. Download the installation software from popular Linux distribution sites like Mandriva, Debian, Ubuntu, or Fedora. Follow the installation guides specific to your preferred package, carefully paying attention to each network-specific configuration step. If your Linux distribution requires you to activate FTP, Telnet, or other network connections, choose to enable these features.

Step 3

Connect the Linux machine to your home network. Connect the Linux server to your home network by attaching an Ethernet cable between the network card on the PC or computer and an available network port on your router for a connection. Access the network setup on the computer following the guides for your Linux installation. Configure the machine’s IP address to “Static” with an address of 192.168.0.254 (exceptional users with a various private network configuration may change this address as required); next, provide the subnet address of 255.255.255.0. If the settings need a gateway address, you may use the address of your network router or, suppose you do not like this machine to access the Internet, modify the gateway address with the numbers 123.123.123.1.

Step 4

Add users to your Linux server system. Users will need a username and password to access the Linux machine. And for users to map your Linux server as a drive or application server on their computers. According to the instructions included with your particular Linux distribution. Configure users and ensure these users have access to any directories set aside for saving network files. You may also implement network access restrictions for each user if needed.

Step 5

Activate network application functionality on your Linux server. If your Linux configuration did not configure network applications like FTP and Telnet during the installation, activate these services from your Linux control panel. Also, you may decide which services you want your Linux server to render. But be sure to enable critical services like FTP (which facilitates file transfers from Mac and other Linux machines), Samba (which supports file transfers from Windows computers). Also Remote Desktop/VNC (which assists other users to view the Linux server desktop and run applications).

Step 6

Map the server from other PC or machines on your network. Suppose your users are using Mac or Linux computers. In that case, they can easily map the Linux server using standard mapping techniques (on a Mac computer). For example, simply tap on the “Go” option, then “Connect to Server,” then navigate to your newly setup Linux server. From Windows computers, right-click on “My Computer,” click on the “Map Network Drive” option, and complete the address or device name of the server. If your Windows computer cannot connect to the server, confirm that the Linux machine receives incoming Samba connections. Once these users are connected to the server successfully, your home network Linux server setup is active, and configuration is completed.