Due to the interest in my blog about a linux alternative to exchange, I have decided to compile a step by step tutorial for configuring linux as an exchange tutorial.
I will do this over a period of a few days, as I have found that configuring linux (for the non-linux professional) is different than configuring windows, and is a steep learning curve (which I have gone through) so I will go through is slowly, and step by step
If you get bored with the pace, then the article isn’t for you, as you are obviously more profficient at linux than this article would assume.
For the first part, we will deal with the basic linux distribution.
Linux distros are available in a variety of different flavours, big and small. For the purposes of this excercise I would suggest a liveCD version of linux
LIVECD – A linux distribution which will run entirely from CD or USB pen, allowing you to test the configuration on an existing machine (with windows for example) without compromising your existing installation. Dont like linux? eject the CD and press reset. Messed up the config? eject the CD and press reset. Simple
I have tried a few different liveCD linux flavours, and my favourite is PCLinuxOS. This is a great LiveCD based linux distribution which can be downloaded a variety of different ways and acts as a great desktop platform. This has been taken further by the fantastic guys at www.pclosbe.org who have made a business edition version with all the appropriate server software installed.
So, its a good idea to start with a good platform.
First thing to do is to get Webmin running. Webmin is a fantastic web based linux administration suite, which means you dont have to be sat at the machine to administer linux.
In order to install webmin (or at least on the distro’s i have tried) open a terminal window(while logged in as root) and type
apt-get install webmin
This will download and install/configure webmin as a module on your linux distro.
pclosbe comes with webmin as standard (told you it was useful)
To access webmin, there are 2 main ways
1. Locally in a browser using https://localhost:10000 (dont forget the httpS, otherwise you will be pulling your hair out for hours)
2. Remotley in a browser from a network machine using https://[ip address of linux machine]:10000
Right, thats chapter one done. And webmin is installed (or should be) now play around with it.
I would suggest doing the following with webmin in order to become accustomed.
1. Upgrade the version
2. Add different modules
3. Use the file browser to browse the file structure on the linux machine
4. Shut down and re-start the machine
5. Cock something up completely!! – remember, its a liveCD you can always start again in about 3 minutes flat.
All of this stuff will make you more confident with webmin and give you a really good start going forward.
I will speak to you very soon about the next stage 
Enjoy
Tags: linux, linux administration, linux exchange server, linux help, webmin
