Best flavor of Linux for LAMP server?

[zeroradius]

Hey guys, I am going to be setting up my laptop as a LAMP server for working on my code on the run (and because I need some hands on for this server administration class) What in your opinion is the best flavor for that?

[Xav]

Why don't you try a few, see which one is best?

[morefood2001]

Try a few.

I've found that ubuntu and centos are the easiest 2 flavors to set up for LAMP. There is also mandriva which has an xp like interface that will install it for you. I recommend that you should try these before trying others.

[Jordan]

Just about any flavor works well. I don't think there is a right or wrong here.

[John]

Well if you are looking to run a stable server, a bleeding edge desktop version of linux is probably not your best bet. However, since stability probably isnt a huge concern, any distro would work. I've found setting up a LAMP on Ubuntu to be very easy (not to mention the boundless support offered by their forums).

[zeroradius]

ok, sounds good. I will go with Ubuntu then sence I already have the disks. I think I should have worded my question diffrent I was wondering what is used most by large companies. I have the newest Ms server I think I will set up later. For my lamp server i think i will also use Exim for my mail client and tomcat for apps. Does that sound like industry standards or is there somthing else I should use? I have a list of app servers but tomcat seesms to be the widest used from what I have seen. I already have a book on Exim is why I am going to use that.

[John]

the most popular linux distros used in the industry (for hosting) are Redhat enterprise, CentOS, and ubuntu server.

[morefood2001]

the most popular linux distros used in the industry (for hosting) are Redhat enterprise, CentOS, and ubuntu server.

Linux Dist Popularity

The reason why Redhat is popular is because it is developed similar to Microsoft Windows and you need to buy a license to use it. People like that because they can receive professional grade support at a price.

CentOS is popular because of CPanel (The most popular web hosting panel today). CPanel only supports CentOS / Redhat, and thats why they are so popular.

Ubuntu wasn't popular until about a year or two ago, but its quickly making its way to the easiest linux ever. I like Ubuntu the most, however there are some aspects of Redhat (like the yum package manager) that I still like better that the equivalent in Ubuntu.

[WingedPanther]

**** Small Linux is a good choice if you don't want a lot of junk running beside it.

[zeroradius]

Thanks for all the help guys. That has complytly answered my questions.