Advice requested

SephStorm

I want to make a machine to serve as a launching pad for some studies, right now it will do a few things, run a TFTP server for backing up my IOS images, and running Snort IDS so I can learn it. The network itself will likely be composed of three physical machines, 2 laptops, 1 running windows 7, and a Desktop probably running Windows 7. the 2nd laptop will be the "server" my conundrum is:

1. should I install Ubuntu server, clean install, Or run it in a Virtual machine?

or

2. should I run Ubuntu client, clean install or VM?

My experience is windows, and client linux, so running a complete CLI os will be at the least unfamiliar to me. Especially considering the process of updating. It would be a learning experience, but I don't know.

Any advice? other options I should look at? I thought about running Server 2008 which I am familiar with. But of course it is suggested to do linux as it is more secure. Would it be worth starting with Server and transitioning to linux as I become familiar with the programs?

RobertKaucher

For each task, the proper tool. If you want to run Snort, I suggest Linux and I would say it depends on how much of a learning curve you want to add as to if you wan to do a server version or not. Personally, I would put CentOS or Ubuntu server on it and use SSH via PUTTY to the thing. If you want to run Snort, though, I would not be inclined to use a VM.

SephStorm

Sounds reasonable. ATM I have installed Fedora 13 on a single laptop. I'll reaquaint with it, hopefully learn a bit, and then go server.