Chapter 1. An Overview of CentOS

IN THIS CHAPTER

Introducing CentOS 5

What is Linux?

Linux's roots in UNIX

Common Linux features

Primary advantages of Linux

Going forward with CentOS

The goal of the CentOS project (www.centos.org) is to produce an enterprise-class Linux operating system distribution. Like most Linux distributions, CentOS leverages the work done by thousands of software developers around the world that release their software under free and Open Source (FOSS) licenses.

But unlike other Linux distributions, CentOS distinguishes itself not by how it is different, but by how it strives to be the same.

The CentOS Linux distribution includes software from many of the most respected and mature projects in the Open Source world. If you want to use CentOS as a server, you can take advantage of server software in CentOS that includes:

  • Apache Web Server (http://httpd.apache.org)—The most popular HTTP server in the world

  • Samba (www.samba.org)—A suite of applications used for sharing files, printers, and related information using protocols that are native to Windows, OS/2, and other PC-based systems

  • Sendmail (www.sendmail.org)—An e-mail server that lets you send and store e-mail that can be accessed using a variety of e-mail clients

  • CUPS (www.cups.org)—The Common UNIX Printing System includes software for configuring print servers.

  • vsFTPd (http://vsftpd.beasts.org)—A File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server that lets users upload and download files over a network

  • MySQL (www.mysql.com)—A multiuser ...

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