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In this part, I will write simple guideline how to install CentOS 5.3 through Text-Base installation. The CentOS installation GUI and X Windows are not neccessary for your server and you should avoid installing them to increase your server performance and security.

CentOS needed to install on Redhat certified hardwares/server (except you knows how to customize kernel.) to ensure the compatibility and server realibility. To avoid any trouble in the future for software and driver upgrade, I highly recommend you to check on Redhat website to see latest server compatiblity chart and buy server from either Dell, HP, or IBM.

This is a basic installation and security hardening guide to giving idea to whom willing to build their own SOHO/small office Linux Web, Email or Database server. I hope you can find this guide useful.

In this part, I will start talking about the Planning and Preparation, helping you decide what operating system and hardware to use, which is very important part from this guide. If you made wrong planning, you probably need start everythings from beginning again, and it’s really wasting your money and time!

Finally the Dell Poweredge T410 server delivered after the short delay caused by Typhoon in Mainland China. It takes 6 working days from I ordered the server from Dell until delivered to my home.

I examinate several brand models of Network Attached Storage (NAS) last week to find full automated and safer backup solutions for all of my home servers to replace my existing USB external hard disk which not 100% reliable especially during large number of files backup which take few hours to complete.