Topic: Home SME server install. difficult to configure? after fc2

[vinny]

hi
i have tried to configure my home server with fedora. I have now been pointed to this site by a friend and wonder if i can now install. it seems too good to be true??
can anyone advise if i can install sme over fedora? do i have to format first?
is it best with one nic or two nic cards?
i am to link up with my linksys rtr and cable modem dsl connection. should i run dhcp from server? and set pcs laptops with dhcp?
i would like to have roaming profiles and keep mails and files central. is this easy to set up? seems point and click on info??
regards Vinny

[RavenIV]

just read the SME-manual and you will find all answers.

cheers

[bobk]

Installing SME Server will automatically format your disc.

You might want to download the manual and have a good read before installation. Go here to get the manual:

http://mabit.net/sme/

[funkusmunkus]

Hi Vinny,

if you want the server to do firewalling as well, then you'll need 2 nics, and also if you want to install something like squidgaurd or dansgardian, if you make it in gateway mode people can't just bypass the proxy server, a few handy hints after you install it (takes 15 min's for a first timer) you will do some little configuration on the machine it's self then detach the monitor and keyboard insted connect to it via http://servername/server-manager
you can only connect from an internal location, under remote access enable ssh locally, and just putty to it in the futur or configure things via the server manger.
it was my first experience with linux using sme, and it took me no time to set up.

most contribs are located here
http://mirror.contribs.org/smeserver/contribs/
and you'll find plenty of howto's as well.
also one other thing if your planning on using 2 nics use different ones, some poeple some times have problems if they are identical.

hope that helps
cheers

[vinny]

you mention two nics? i just wonder if the same can be achieved by ip routing? is it that if the server is the default gateway? and the rtr is to see the server as default. then there is no need for two nics?
if i do need two nics? do i make the gig nic installed connect to the lan? or the rtr? as the other card will be a 10/100??
regards Vinny
ps thanks all for your comments

[funkusmunkus]

That is right you can set it as server only mode and it can be a proxy server, and dns server, but just incase you decide to use 2 nics there is no point in putting the Gbit nic externally it will be wasted.

hope that helps

any other question ?
 

[vinny]

Hi, i have started install of sme. ive read through notes and am about to install. i dont need to put a web site out there for the moment. so when it asks me for a real primary domain name? what do i do? can i use one of my cable domain names?
regards Vinny

[vinny]

hi, i have added a domain add from my personal web space. i have not configured for dns. it seems now that i am having problems connecting. i guess that i am config the nic cards incorrectly as i cannot get out via a internet test?
is there any checks i can do?
regards Vinny

[Mumm-Ra]

Vinny,

Are you using the server as a DHCP server or you router?
Check you IP configuration on your pc by running ipconfig /all from a command prompt.  Check that you are using valid DNS servers and that you can ping their IP addresses.
Did you set the server up as a gateway or server only?
Can you ping the server IP address from a pc, can you ping the router's address from your pc and from the server?

Howard

[vinny]

Howard thanks, i have a couple of issues. i cant see both eth0 and 1. just configured eth0 but cant add my linksys eth1 card.
with a laptop connected to the eth0 card. no dhcp seen. can see in config that incorrect dns is seen. how do i change that?
regards Vinny

[Mumm-Ra]

Vinny,

did you configure the server as a DHCP server.  This is the easiest way to run it as it gives you the correct DNS resoultion for you local domains, as long as you then don't enter a separate DNS server for resolution.
To change these settings you must login to the server console as admin then select configure your server. It's the same as when you first setup your server.

Enter the same settings that you entered when you were setting up your server initially until you come to the DHCP setting.  Select to use the server as a DHCP server and then leave the DNS server setting blank.
I'm not too sure what settings you get when you select server/gateway mode as I've never run my server in this setting.  Maybe one of the others can suggest what settings come here.
If you run you server as server only you'll only need one nic.  Select the chosen nic and make sure that it's IP address is on the same subnet as your router with the correct subnet mask.
For example - you router is 192.168.1.1 you select your server to be 192.168.1.5 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 Select the NIC that connects to your router.  Select the server to serve DHCP requests and leave DNS blank (As your server will be you DNS server for your pc's). Accept the default DHCP range as long as nothing else uses addresses in the range. Turn off DHCP from your router if it's setup.  Connect your pc's to the server through your router.  Hopefully you PC's will now pick up an IP address in the correct subnet with the server as a dns server.  Try to ping the server then the router then an outside domain.  Then allow port 25 (SMTP)& port 80(HTTP) through your router to the server.

Connect to http://<servername>/server-manager and configure the services on the server.

Hope this helps.

Again, if you want to use server/gateway mode, one of the other guys will need to pitch in.

Howard

[vinny]

howard
thanks for the info and advice. i have it going now. just need to play and adapt further...
thanks again