Notably, Ubuntu Server provides OpenStack Mitaka, Nginx, and LXD. While Ubuntu and Ubuntu Server are pretty similar, Server offers different amenities. Although the support cycle isn't five years, the non-LTS variant features nine months of security and maintenance updates. The LTS Ubuntu Server release boasts a five year support cycle. Ubuntu Server is available in two versions: LTS and a rolling-release. Ubuntu and its variants offer excellent user experiences. With a plethora of Ubuntu derivatives, it's a stable distribution. Ubuntu is arguably the most well-known Linux operating system.
Using your Linux computer as a media server differs from setting up a game server. When selecting a Linux server operating system, also consider your use. LTS flavors provide stability and a longer support cycle.
The key here is to use a Long Term Service (LTS) iteration and install your desired software. While there are dedicated Linux server operating systems, you may roll your own. However this likely doesn't account for home labbers. Because servers commonly run headless, the graphical user interface (GUI) in a Linux server operating system remains less important.Īccording to IDC, hardware sales data indicates that 28 percent of servers are Linux-based. Accordingly, server operating systems feature tools for simple server creation. Similarly, Linux server operating systems prioritize security and resource consumption.Ī Linux server operating system serves content to client devices. Additionally, servers balance computing power with power consumption. For instance, server hardware ensures maximum uptime, efficiency, and security. Servers are essentially computers with specialized specifications. What differentiates a Linux server operating system from a general Linux distribution? Consider server hardware. Check out the 12 best Linux server operating systems and who should use them. Therefore, Linux distros are ideal server landscapes. Linux typically offers enhanced permissions, increased flexibility, and stability.
Linux distributions often benefit from strong community resources.Īlthough the Linux operating systems offer excellent desktop environments, Linux can be excellent for server set ups as well. While certain Linux distros are suitable for power users, others are simpler, and perfect for switching from Windows. Additionally, you can set up Internet protocol television (IPTV), call up station media libraries, and play back their content ( Figure 6).Linux operating systems are exceptionally prevalent and wide-ranging.
Both provide all possible forms of use with the Channels, Guide, Recordings, Timers, and Search submenus.
If the configuration is successful, the TV and, if the TV card supports it, Radio entries appear in the main menu. The PVR client tries to import a list of all tuners when starting the software, and it displays a message if there are any problems, in which case, you can choose a different client-server combination. However, once I noticed it malfunctioning after activating a PVR client, I terminated Kodi and then restarted it. Additionally, I could not install all PVR clients during the test: Under Ubuntu 16.04 "Xenial Xerus," the Tvheadend client could not be installed on the disk because of missing dependencies.
This process requires a bit of manual work because not all front ends and back ends play well together. You can configure the server immediately during installation or use a remote control ( Figure 4).įigure 5: Manually activating the PVR front end in Kodi. The final command line installs the add-on clients needed to make use of TV recordings, program playback, and the electronic program guide (EPG).Ī corresponding server is used as a back end, for which Kodi provides numerous server alternatives.
To install Kodi in Ubuntu, you need to add and update the corresponding repository, install the media center, and trace all necessary dependencies: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa Alternatively, you can update an older Kodibuntu installation to the latest version of the media center.
The Kodi project maintains dedicated repositories, so it is worth installing the latest version of the software from these repositories. Kodi, like MythTV, is included in many software repositories of large Linux derivatives and as Kodibuntu in the form of a unique 64-bit-only distribution based on Ubuntu 14.04. Kodi is probably the best-known media center project in the Linux universe, although it may be more familiar under its old name, XBMC. They use the Linux infrared remote control (LIRC) routines that support several IR controls without any additional configuration. The media center supports several remote controls. Figure 3: Multimedia content is just a few clicks away.