[Wylug-help] Networking Linux PCs

[Dave Fisher]

On Wed, Nov 27, 2002 at 03:36:19PM +0000, John Swann wrote:
> i have a Linux server (SME)

Is this some brand name used by RedHat, some other distro company, or
one of the tin sellers?

> I believe I could use NFS but have been told this is not secure or flexible.
> I'm sure I've heard that there is a Samba client for Linux - would this be
> the best option or is there a 'true' Linux client ?

NFS is OK within a secured network.  Most fears about it refer to its
use on the public internet, where it definitely should not be used.  NFS
is still the native shared filesystem type within most Unix/Linux
networks.

> On another point I'm currently using RH V8, but it appears buggy, is this
> common my old RH V7.3 was more stable?

RH are notorious (occasionally justifiably) for issuing new versions
frequently, and updating/patching the bugs as their clients discover
them.

Most commercial distros, with the exception of specialist
security/stability-oriented products suffer similar, if less severe
churn effects.

It's generally best to wait for a few months after a version release,
then follow your installation by immediately applying every relevant
package update that you can find on the distro's official site.

For novices, this is typically easier and more reliable than attempting
to get to grips with a conservative, non-commercial, distro like Debian.

Best wishes,

Dave