.

[Borgodoc]

.

[ttam]

This is not something I dabble in. But check out Linux Mint

[Borgodoc]

.

[ToToRoTY]

Game server as a requirement?

I don't think anything other than Windows have a better compatibility...

Seems like Win Ser 08 R2 or 2012 will be your only choice.

[Smashbow]

Get windows server. Works with most things.

[Prince32780]

It really comes down to what game you want to host.

The other things are easy on Linux.

If the game server runs on Linux, most do, then you're fine.

If it doesn't then you're stuck in windows.

 

For the OS you should probably go with Ubuntu Server, and here's why

 

1. If you're running it on something like a P4, the gui will consume some of your precious resources

2. It's best not to install a gui for the most secure server

3. It's more secure and lightweight when compared to windows home server

4. Even though you're a noob with command line, there is a lot of documentation out there for Ubuntu Server

5. ^^^^^

 

Here's a good place for help when setting up file, web and mail servers https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Servers

There's even a link on how to install Folding@home

[Raboo]

Ubuntu desktop has my vote.

[Borgodoc]

.

[YouRezz]

Running 5-10 game servers on windows server and it's been a delight

[rashdanml]

Theoretically any Linux distribution works as a server os. Practically, Debian or Ubuntu server LTS are used more commonly. CentOS is another.

[madcow]

X GUI won't help much for configuring many of the services. You will still need to edit the same text files. There are options like webmin however.

http://www.webmin.com/

[Prince32780]

I prefer Linux to Windows, since it's open source and all... Also, games on Linux is rapidly shifting with Valve's support and all.

 

 

 

Thanks! Although I have to add, we'll be running a brand new Haswell Xeon CPU (1265Lv3), so resources will be quite abundant And concerning games, we'll most likely start with some LFD2, Half-Life 2 and, if it works, DayZ. We'll just go along from there (also, with Valve now focusing on Linux, support will probably get better and better). I'll start reading the information in that link you sent me, hopefully it'll be somewhat understandable One more question: why exactly is the absence of a GUI more secure? If it's too long to explain, just drop it, I'll trust your word for it .

 

 

Read this page for why a server is more secure without a GUI.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ServerGUI

[N7_Zer0]

In a terminal type the following to install a GUI for Ubuntu Server:

 

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

[linuxnewbie]

Zentyal has file server plus web server plus email server built in and it's based on Ubuntu so you can install the same packages. Oh and it has a lightweight GUI (lxde). Also it has a bunch of other neat stuff.http://www.zentyal.org/server/#server-features

[WoodenMarker]

You could just use Windows--you don't even need Windows server--just normal 7 or 8 would do fine. 

[AidanJMessenger]

Personally I use Windows Server 2012 Standard, which I got for free with Microsoft DreamSpark, however I do many more advanced things like DHCP, DNS, Active Directory, Roaming profiles etc. For everything you're wanting to do, just a regular windows OS (Windows 8 is probably the best as it has new features like SMB 3.0) and go from there. 

[iNsahne303]

Go for Ubuntu Server. If you have problems, you could install a gui later on (I would recommend LXDE, since it's like windows and needs little resources).

Source-game-servers run well on linux( css, hl2, tf2 etc.), there are some good tutorials which guide you through step-by-step.