Topic: New user question

[Bluephoton]

I am new to both Linux and SME so I have decided to learn more Linux.  I dusted off my copy of "Linux for Dummies" and I have been practicing some simple commands.

One of the first things I learned was to create a nonprivileged user account to limit the damage I can do.

My question is how much Linux functionality is there with SME?  Has a lot of Linux been stripped out to create a minimal foot print?

Can I damage the server by fooling around with Linux while it is running?

Any tips for learning - can I add something to SME to enhance learning (like more Linux)?

[raem]

Bluephoton

Keep in mind that sme server is controlled by the GUI server manager.
These panels effect changes throughout sme server, like enablig & disabling services and opening/closing appropriate ports.

The whole concept is to provide an easy to use interface that does not require technical expertise or knowledge, and certainly does not require the user to understand firewall rules, port opening, enabling of services etc.

Command line control is available to allow knowledgable admins to further tweak sme server beyond the capabilities of the server manager.

One of the first things I learned was to create a nonprivileged user account to limit the damage I can do.

Also see related links
http://wiki.contribs.org/ShellEnhancement
The dungog site has soem useful info about add on contribs
http://dungog.net/
and there is one for adding users
From
http://dungog.net/sme/admin.php
see
smeserver-remoteuseraccess, Shell, SUDO, FTP, SSH Keys, and VPN access for users

My question is how much Linux functionality is there with SME?  Has a lot of Linux been stripped out to create a minimal foot print?

The X side of things has been removed, ie GUI.
Command line functionality is present.

The sme template & db structure sit on top of the underlying CentOS, so you DO NOT directly edit the majority of standard config files in /etc, but instead make changes or additions to template or custom template fragments and/or db settings, which then get read to create the config files in /etc.

You really need to read the Dev Guide to find out the fundamentals of how sme works.
http://wiki.contribs.org/SME_Server:Documentation:Developers_Manual

Can I damage the server by fooling around with Linux while it is running?

Yes, but if you understand what you are doing it's relatively safe to make changes (when in accordance with sme methodology).

You are best to do any "playing" on a test sytem rather than a production server.

Any tips for learning - can I add something to SME to enhance learning (like more Linux)?

Don't add "more Linux" (assuming you mean OS) as you will create an insecure server.

Only make changes and additions in accordance with sme methods.
Read the Contrib Howtos and the general Howtos for many examples.
http://wiki.contribs.org/Category:Contrib
and
http://wiki.contribs.org/Category:Howto

Raed every link there is on the wiki.contribs.org site
http://wiki.contribs.org/Main_Page

Read every Howto
Read every Contrib Howto
Read all the manuals
Read all of the FAQ and links to other pages
You will find a lot of useful information that does indeed teach you about sme
eg
from http://wiki.contribs.org/Category:Howto
see
http://wiki.contribs.org/DB_Variables_Configuration
and
http://wiki.contribs.org/FindingAnswers
and
http://wiki.contribs.org/Useful_Commands
and
http://wiki.contribs.org/Firewall

etc etc etc

This is a useful link too
http://wiki.contribs.org/index.php?title=SME_Server:Documentation:Technical_Manual:Booklet

Happy reading

[Bluephoton]

Thanks Ray - that should keep me busy for a while.

I am going to take your advise and set up a new linux box, separate from the server, to learn on.

Any recommendations on what distro to learn on?

[william_syd]

CentOS 4.6 and progress to Centos 5.0/5.1 however I think the intent was to use SME on a box with no important data ie. a test server.

[Bluephoton]

Yes but I think I need a more basic understanding of Linux before I play with the server.

[raem]

Bluephoton

Install sme7.3 as a test server and play around with that, keeping in mind that it has been tailored specifically as a server rather than a workstation.

If you want to use a Linux workstation (with GUI etc) then install any other distro that suits your purpose as sme is NOT a workstation replacement.

Playing with sme though will still allow you to get familiar with the basics of Linux, with a lot of the configuration hassles removed and all the essential server services running in the default install.