B. Mann Consulting

After your base install is configured it's time to start adding some extra functionality and features to your e-smith server. Since the e-smith distribution is based off of Red Hat, it uses the RPM Package Manager, or RPM for short. These are bits of bundled code that get added as one chunk to your system. Many standard Red Hat 7.3 RPMs will install with no problems on the e-smith, but many have been specifically created along with some server-manager panels so that you need to do as little mucking around on the command line as possible.

All of the RPMs suggested on this page are useful in one way or another if you are running the e-smith as a home server. Some of them may also be useful in other environments. Add a comment if you have a favourite RPM that's not listed.

If you are not comfortable installing RPMs on the command line, your first step will likely be to install update-system RPM, which is why it is listed first. Regardless, sometimes you need to work on the commandline, so go read the commandline tips if you need help.

Most of these RPMs are easily installed via the standard rpm -Uvh *.rpm command in a shell. If the name is linked, there is an HTML page with more info or a list of RPMS. Otherwise, if RPM is linked, it is a direct download link.

update-system (RPM)

A server-manager panel for viewing/installing/removing rpms.

backup2ws

Backs up your server to a workstation on your local network. Good for those don't have a tape drive or other backup system in place.

diskusage

A server-manager panel for displaying ibay and user disk usage.

e-smith htaccess

Let's you use .htaccess files in your ibays to override web server settings.

mod_gzip

Adds compression support to the web server, so it downloads files faster.

phpmyadmin

A nice web-based GUI for managing your MySQL databases.

Adds compression support to the web server, so it downloads files faster.

samba-recycle

Also known as a "network trash". Usually, if you delete something in an SMB network share, it's immediately gone forever. This puts it in the trash first.

phpsysinfo

A fun add-in that gives you a public web page that lists information about your servers hardware and software.

awstats

A web statistics package that will keep track of the hits that your various ibays and hosts are getting.