TheSSS (The Smallest Server Suite) is an open source distribution of Linux that provides system administrators with a lightweight collection of server-oriented software for small Local Area Networks (LANs).
Distributed as Live CDs in multiple editions
The project is distributed as three Live CD ISO images, a standard one that contains only the basic server components, a PHP edition that includes PHP, MariaDB and Adminer software, as well as a Toolbox edition that contains even more complex applications.
The ISO images are fully compatible with the UNetbootin application, which can be used to create an easy-to-use and portable version of TheSSS on a USB flash drive. In addition, they can be written to blank CD discs using any CD/DVD burning tool.
Boot options
When booting the distribution from the Live CD, you will be able to choose between the default display settings or the VESA framebuffer. The latest versions are always based on the latest release of the 4MLinux Server Edition.
Features at a glance
It can be used to deploy a specific server, including FTP, HTTP, SFTP, SSH and Telnet, on any low-end computer. However, the Polipo and Tor programs are also included in the distribution, allowing you to deploy an anonymous proxy server.
The main security components of this Linux-based operating system are the 4MLinux firewall, which is based on the well known iptables program, and the Clam AntiVirus software. As mentioned, it also comes with the MariaDB database engine, Adminer database management tool, and PHP software packages.
The Toolbox Edition
The Toolbox edition is the most special one, as it contains the PHP edition, the BakAndImgCD and Antivirus Live CD operating systems, as well as the TestDisk and Ranish partition manager applications.
Bottom line
Overall, TheSSS proves to be a good server distribution, especially because it is distributed in three distinct editions, even if we can really deploy it on a real-world environment.
What’s new in TheSSS 28.1:
- This is a minor (point) release based on the 4MLinux Server 28.1, meaning that the components of the LAMP server are now: Linux 4.19.28, Apache 2.4.38, MariaDB 10.3.13, and PHP (both 5.6.40 and 7.2.16).
