Cheapest way to set up a UNIX environment?

I wanted to get a server / desktop and install Unix on it. I was wondering in order to get the true understanding of how to adminster the server, would I need to network other machines into it?

I am not a server guy so please forgive me for any stupid questions. I deal with Windows server 2003, that is it.

Any recommendations. I would like to pick up a UNIX book and go through installation to creating directories and then doing higher end adminstrator. Creating batch jobs and automation.

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Comments

Slowhand

I'd imagine setting up a virtual machine of FreeBSD is your best bet, unless you have an old PC sitting around to install it on. FreeBSD is pretty widely used, it's a bit more "Linux-like" than something like Solaris, so you wouldn't be completely alienating yourself from other *NIX distributions, and there's LOTS of books out there on it. (I picked up FreeBSD Unleashed, I really liked it.)

Good luck with your studies, I'm sure you'll enjoy learning more about Unix.

dynamik

OpenSolaris is basically dead. FreeBSD or OpenBSD (or variants) are your free options. You can sometimes find an AIX box on eBay for $300-500 if you're interested in that.

Amazon.com: Essential System Administration, Third Edition (9780596003432): Æleen Frisch: Books is required reading for anyone doing anything with Unix.

Bl8ckr0uter

dynamik wrote: »

OpenSolaris is basically dead.

You can still get Solaris though.

Solaris Operating System - Get Solaris 10