Linux For A Server?

[olds]

I know nothing about Linux or servers. So, to learn I was thinking about building a small server and running Linux on it.
It would be for file sharing (.doc, .mp3, .jpg) on my small (4 machines) home network. I might try to host small (2 - 6 players) multiplayer games. Can I do this with Linux? I assume to host a game it has to be for Linux and not windows?
TIA

 

[Entity]

Lots of games have the option to have linux server support. I used to run a CounterStrike server under linux; I know my uncle has run Q3a servers and a few other games as well. Sounds like a fun project -- what games were you considering hosting?

Rob

 

[Need4Speed]

yep no problem at all. any flavor of linux with samba will do the trick. redhat, suse and mandrake are popular for beginners. they have a slew of GUI tools to make admining easier. if you feel up to it, debian is one of my favorites.

if you just want to try out linux first, check out knoppix.

also, there are many many docs online, HOWTO's as they are affectionatly called, that will help you get everything up and running

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Entity
Lots of games have the option to have linux server support. I used to run a CounterStrike server under linux; I know my uncle has run Q3a servers and a few other games as well. Sounds like a fun project -- what games were you considering hosting?

Rob

I am thinking of trying BF 1942, Quake or Kingpin (I love that game).
I actually have a copy of knoppis. My daughter had a virus or trojan that I couldn't get rid of. I couldn't install or update anything. I used knoppis running from the cdrom to back up her machine then formatted it.

 

[Rottie]

I have Linux 7.2 from Suse...I wonder does it support server? Or do I have to upgrade?