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I have a database server and web server both running CentOS. My database server will host MySQL and my web server will host Apache.

  1. How do I connect to my Linux-based servers? Is there something similar to Remote Desktop, or do I need to use straight command line Linux commands? Ultimately, obviously, I will need to upload my web files to my web server.

  2. I need to create a REST based service that will live on my database server- I know this is a very, very broad question, but where would I start with that? Is EVERYTHING Linux-based controlled from the command prompt?

My REST service will most likely be written in server side Javascript.

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    By far, the most common way to connect to linux servers is through the command line. 90% of the things you need to do can often only be done through the command line.
    – antiduh
    Jul 2, 2013 at 13:53
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    You should also realize that most of us use the command line because it is easier, not because it is the only thing available. Yes, there are Remote Desktop solutions for *nix they are just usually not worth it since using the command line is so much simpler and faster (once you learn how). These days you can do just about anything using a GUI but experienced users don't because it is not as simple as the command line.
    – terdon ♦
    Jul 2, 2013 at 14:10

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How do I connect to my Linux-based servers?

SSH is the de facto standard way of managing Linux-based servers.

Is there something similar to Remote Desktop?

Yes, NX (freeNX, or Nomachine NX) works over SSH, it's very common in enterprise environments. Also you can use VNC, or Citrix, and RDP is also possible.

Do I need to use straight command line Linux commands?

Server administration is typically performed via CLI, although there are GUI, and web based management solutions (webmin, ajenti etc).

Ultimately, obviously, I will need to upload my web files to my web server

SCP is your friend, if you manage your Linux-based server from a Windows environment, then WinSCP has a nice GUI, or you can use pscp.

I need to create a REST based service that will live on my database server, I know this is a very, very broad question, but where would I start with that?

Indeed it's a very broad question, , how about reading a book like "RESTful Java Web Services"?

Is EVERYTHING Linux-based controlled from the command prompt?

Not EVERYTHING, many commercial Linux-based routers have only Web UI for example.

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  • Easy to follow, responded to each of my questions specifically.. thanks!
    – Mike Marks
    Jul 2, 2013 at 16:39
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If you have installed the Linux server yourself or someone built it for you, I assume you have console access to the server. Start with finding out look for root password on that server. If you have built it yourself, you would know it. Otherwise you would have to get it from the person who built it for you. You need to go to the console of the server and start ssh daemon.

$ service sshd status

If the damoen is not running, then start it

$ service sshd start

Then you can install putty from here http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html. Download the putty.exe file and run it on from your windows server. You can see this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AlSM9UjLpY on how to use putty.

Putty will provide an ssh session to the Linux server. You will need to know the IP Address of the Linux server to connect. On Linux, it is most useful to use command line to do admin tasks. You can also rely on a tool called webmin http://www.webmin.com/docs.html.

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From what I understand and this is my assumption, you did not install or you are not "owner" of these servers. As such I strongly advise you to contact your system administrator as ask him how to connect to the systems.

In any case, the most common way to connect to a Linux server is by ssh, this is CLI mode but you if it is properly configured you can redirect the GUI to your system. If you are using windows I recommend the installation of Xming ( to be able to open GUI apps from linux in your Windows system ).

Ssh not only is good to connect in a secure way to your servers but also allows you to copy files between servers via the commands scp ( if you are using some *nix based system or cygwin for example ) and sftp ( behaviour similar to FTP you can use FileZilla for instance or any other FTP client that supports SFTP ).

If GUI is mandatory for you then you need to ask your sys admin and ensure you have a Desktop Environment installed. After that you can use a couple of software like: VNC FreeNX TeamViewer ( paid for corporate customers )

Regarding you number 2 question:

You did not mentioned which language your REST service will be on. So start with that and check the possible deployment options. Nothing like a google search won't help. But like you mentioned it is a broad question.

And, yes *nix systems have a high usage of CLI based commands.

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  • Thanks for the reply, my REST service will most likely be server side Javascript.
    – Mike Marks
    Jul 2, 2013 at 14:34

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