So, I was gifted a super-micro server recently, and finally got around to setting it up in the cl...

[G+_Ben Yanke]

So, I was gifted a super-micro server recently, and finally got around to setting it up in the closet.

 

Finally I can do away with Ubuntu Server VMs on my windows box!

 

I'm planning on moving things over from the VMs to the bare metal, including...

 

1) VPN server

2) Webserver

3) Gregorio (http://gregorio-project.github.io/)

4) Controller for Ubiquity APs

5) Remote ssh workstation and compiler for school projects (so I can work on projects from any school computer)

6) A few webserver monitoring scripts for my remote servers

 

Also considering setting up a minecraft PE server...

 

Any other suggestions for cool projects to run on Ubuntu Server?

[G+_Ben Yanke]

Oh, and iperf. I want to start doing some bandwidth monitoring too, between home and my DigitalOcean vps.

[G+_Travis Hershberger]

Why go bare metal instead of a type-1 hypervisor? XenServer would be my first choice with Hyper-V a close 2nd. Vmware doesn't make the list just because you have to pay for a license to do anything useful with it. Could probably fit A LOT of Linux based vms without a gui on it (256-512MB of memory goes a long way.)

[G+_Ben Yanke]

Travis Hershberger Previously, I was running in VM, because I wanted to keep my windows box, but now that I have dedicated hardware for ubuntu server, and I don't really feel like tinkering much on the OS level very much. I don't have much fo a need for VMs anymore...

 

 

Though it does have 24gb of RAM, so I do have a nice amount to play with.

 

[G+_Keith Mallett]

Ben Yanke What are you planning on doing with the server?

[G+_Travis Hershberger]

Ben Yanke I know what you mean. The thing is, you still only have to make a single image of the OS. It takes like 30 seconds for me to get a new server up in XenServer. That's mostly waiting for the template to initialize.

[G+_Ben Yanke]

Keith Mallett  The numbered things mentioned above in the original post.

[G+_Keith Mallett]

Ben Yanke  Cool. We should chat some time. I'm working on my CCNP and MCSE right now.

[G+_Jason Marsh]

I don't have a suggestion for anything else to run on it, but I like your keyboard. I keep a K400 in my tool bag, and used one on my workbench until I got a K750 for Christmas.

 

Much nicer than using customer's grimy keyboard and mouse :) They also make a nice gift for anyone with a HTPC and using a mouse on the armrest.

[G+_Seth Leedy]

For Minecraft, Look no further than MineOS, https://minecraft.codeemo.com/

[G+_Larry Havenstein]

I agree with running the free VMware ESXi on it and doing VMs. Weirdly VMs on a type 1 hypervisor are faster than a single instance on bare metal on most good real servers. And much more convenient to make changes.

[G+_Larry Havenstein]

Actually you can host a nice installation with the free ESXi from VMware. Travis must not have found this yet. https://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere-hypervisor

[G+_Travis Hershberger]

Larry Havenstein Oh, I know it quite well. No backups = no go, period.

[G+_Keith Mallett]

Larry Havenstein how do you get a free version of ESXi? I've only found the 60 trial version myself.

[G+_Larry Havenstein]

You apply for a free key on the link I gave above and it gives the ESXi host unlimited lifetime with the basic features. You don't get the vmotion and automation features but you do get snapshots and features that make sense in a single ESXi host enviroment. That combined with the Vcenter Converter and you can do quite a bit.

[G+_Larry Havenstein]

You do have to apply the key to the server though from the Vsphere client or the web interface before it goes into effect.