The Perfect Server - OpenSUSE 11.2 x86_64 [ISPConfig 3]

Version 1.0
Author: Falko Timme <ft [at] falkotimme [dot] com>
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Last edited 11/16/2009

This is a detailed description about how to set up an OpenSUSE 11.2 64bit (x86_64) server that offers all services needed by ISPs and hosters: Apache web server (SSL-capable) with PHP, CGI and SSI support, Postfix mail server with SMTP-AUTH, TLS and virtual mail users, MyDNS DNS server, Pureftpd FTP server, MySQL server, Courier POP3/IMAP, Quota, Firewall, etc.

I will use the following software:

• Web Server: Apache 2.2 with PHP 5
• Database Server: MySQL
• Mail Server: Postfix with virtual users
• DNS Server: MyDNS
• FTP Server: pureftpd
• POP3/IMAP: Courier-POP3/Courier-IMAP.
• Webalizer for web site statistics

In the end you should have a system that works reliably and is easily manageable with the ISPConfig 3 control panel. The following guide is for the 64bit version of OpenSUSE.

I want to say first that this is not the only way of setting up such a system. There are many ways of achieving this goal but this is the way I take. I do not issue any guarantee that this will work for you!

Notice: This guide if for ISPConfig 3.0.1 or newer. It is not suitable for ISPConfig 2.x

1 Requirements

To install such a system you will need the following:

• The OpenSUSE 11.2 DVD. You can download it here: http://download.opensuse.org/distribution/11.2/iso/openSUSE-11.2-DVD-x86_64.iso
• A fast Internet connection...

2 Preliminary Note

In this tutorial I use the hostname server1.example.com with the IP address 192.168.0.100 and the gateway 192.168.0.1. These settings might differ for you, so you have to replace them where appropriate.

3 The Base System

Boot from your OpenSUSE 11.2 DVD and select Installation:

Select your language, keyboard layout and accept the licence terms:

The installer analyzes your hardware and builds the software repository cache:

Select New Installation:

Select the region and timezone:

We select Other > Minimal Server Selection (Text Mode) here as we want to install a server without X-Window desktop. The X-Window system is not necessary to run the server and would slow down the system. We will do all administration tasks on the shell or through an SSH connection, e.g. via PuTTY from a remote desktop.