I'm installing ubuntu on my server instance, and I have the following distributions to choose from:
- Ubuntu 10.04 LTS (Lucid)
- Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal)
- Ubuntu 11.10 (Oneiric Ocelot)
Which of these is the best choice for me to go with?
Thanks!
I'm installing ubuntu on my server instance, and I have the following distributions to choose from:
Which of these is the best choice for me to go with?
Thanks!
For a server, I would definitely go for ubuntu 10.4. This is a lts: long term support version. It will receive security updates for a longer period of time:
from https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LTS
Apart from that it usually is more stable to start with, with a release date close to the debian stable releases.
First you never should prefer a non-LTS, especially one which is not the most recent. So 11.04, should not even be a serious consideration. There is exceptions, as always, but when speaking generally the recommendation holds. This recommendation is only considering a server, a PC or workstation could use the regular releases.
I also would be hesitant to do an installation at this present moment, as the new LTS is already in BETA stage. 10.04, is not close to recent, although it does remain usable. If you are OK with running the older 10.04 software, with secuirty updates for 1.5 more years, it would suffice.
Truthfully I would get the most recent 12.04, and jump on early. It's not the safe bet, but who wants to consider a reinstallation in a couple months. However you might want to test it out, just to get a feel on how BETA it is currently.
It really depends on what you're doing and what you're willing to put up with. Note that 10.04 (and, recently released 12.04) are Long Term Support versions, which will ensure updates will be available for a very long time. The 11.04 and 11.10 versions, not so much.
Basically, look at:
So, 11.04 will be de-supported later this year, and 11.10 early next year.
If you don't care about the long term life of your server, 11.x would be fine (though, as said, 12.04 just came out, and will have shiny new things available also). If you care about support, look at LTS versions. If 10.04 is all you can use, bug your service provider on when they can provide 12.04. If they can't provide 12.04 in a reasonable amount of time, and you want your support past the beginning of next year, use 10.04.
Ubuntu 12.04 must suit your needs if you are running the VPS to server websites. Ubuntu can utilise Nginx,varnish and all these tweaks.
Apart from this it is LTS and as many suggest, this version gets updates for a very long time.
I am a user of Linode and if you are on Linode, you already have the Option to rebuild with Ubuntu 12.04 LTS.
If you want the VPS for any applications or testing scripts, then make sure all the core components and sub components work and are supported on Ubuntu. Or else you can try something else like Cent OS or Archlinux.
Since no one here knows what you actually want, all we can do is suggest. It is upto you to make a choice and research on the available supported software on your project.