Hi there,

I know nothing about Linux so sorry if this is a dumb question. I am working on a Uni project, we have a budget and have to make up a network plan for a fake company.

To help save costs someone said we could use RedHat as our server. But I am wondering, is it possible for clients using Windows XP to connect to the RedHat server? The server will just be used for sharing files, internet filter and print & mail server.

Thanks.

The answer is yes.

Samba is used for these "Windows Shares".

A Linux server can even participate in a Microsoft Active Directory system.

You can also use Linux w/ Samba to setup something similar to an NT4 domain controller (with quite a bit more features). Not quite like a MS AD, but it will help you centralize your user and group policies and allow you do have roaming profiles. Be prepared to be grilled by your professor/instructor on TCO (total cost of ownership), as a lot of people would argue that the added burdon of supporting a Linux based domain controller out weight the cost of just buying Windows Server. But I think that is total rubbish.

If all that you need is file sharing, and centralized security setting control: samba is the way to go. If you have to have SQL Server and Exchange then you will need to go to Windows Server (but it doesn't sound like you need these).