How to setup Debian Linux on a Dell server? [Archive] - HowtoForge Forums

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Hans

23rd December 2005, 13:42

I would like to setup Debian Linux on a new server.
My new server is a Dell PowerEdge SC1425, dual Xeon 2.8 GHz. and 2 SATA 250 GB discs
I would like to setup RAID 1 as well.

Can anyone advise me which Debian Linux kernel I can use for this server with dual processors and two SATA drives?
Can anyone explain to me how to setup RAID 1?

Any help could be helpful!

gg234

9th January 2006, 16:39

Hans

15th January 2006, 19:23

You can use dell utility cd's to setup the RAID and you can install kernel version 2.4 for more softwares available and good performance

Thank you for your reply. I am wondering myself why the 2.4 kernel and not the 2.6? Does the 2.4 or 2.6 kernel support multiple processors (smp) ?

till

15th January 2006, 23:32

Both kernels (2.4 and 2.6) can be compiled for multiprocessor support (smp).

Hans

16th January 2006, 17:26

Both kernels (2.4 and 2.6) can be compiled for multiprocessor support (smp).

Thank you for your answer Till.
Is there an "how to" to compile the kernel for multiprocessor support?
I hope anyone knows this to help me.

till

16th January 2006, 17:42

Normally there should be an precompiled SMP kernel available.

do an:

apt-cache search kernel

and you should get a list of the available kernels to install. If you want to compile the kernel anyway, have a look at these howtos:

http://www.howtoforge.com/howto_linux_kernel_2.6_compile_debian
http://www.howtoforge.com/howto_linux_kernel_2.4_compile_debian

falko

16th January 2006, 19:13

And don't forget to have a look here: http://www.howtoforge.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22
It's for Debian Sarge, the links Till posted are for Debian Woody.

Hans

21st January 2006, 21:43

And don't forget to have a look here: http://www.howtoforge.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22
It's for Debian Sarge, the links Till posted are for Debian Woody.
:) Thank you Till & Falko.
I had a good experience with Debian Sarge on a my (single processor) servers. With the information you gave me i am able to setup my new server with SMP. Thanks a lot!

Hans

23rd January 2006, 16:57

And don't forget to have a look here: http://www.howtoforge.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22
It's for Debian Sarge, the links Till posted are for Debian Woody.

I still have a few questions:

I need to recompile a Debian standard 2.6 kernel to another kernel because i use a SMP-server.
I like to to this according Falko's how to.

When i do an "apt-cache search kernel-headers" i get a list with available kernels.

What is recomended to do for my server with Dual Xeon (Intel EM64T) system?

32 bit mode:
kernel-headers-2.6-686-smp - Linux kernel headers 2.6 on
PPro/Celeron/PII/PIII/P4 SMP ?

64 bit mode:
kernel-headers-2.6.8-11-em64t-p4-smp - Linux kernel headers for version
2.6.8 on Intel EM64T SMP systems ?

or

kernel-headers-2.6-amd64-k8-smp - Linux kernel headers for version 2.6 on
AMD64 SMP systems ?

Is it worth the going for 64 bit mode or is it not stable enough for a production-server?

Can i expect any trouble with setting up ISPConfig when i use a 64bit kernel?

I hope anyone can give me an advise.

till

23rd January 2006, 17:16

Can i expect any trouble with setting up ISPConfig when i use a 64bit kernel?

You have to tweak the ISPConfig installer to install on a 64bit linux:

http://www.howtoforge.com/forums/showthread.php?t=286
http://www.howtoforge.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127