DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 540 : 6 January 2014

A comparative test on SME Server by Distrowatch SME Server vs Superb Mini Server

TechTip: SME Server, the All-in-One Linux Server Distribution, March 11, 2011

If you're looking for a free, simple-to-set-up, ready-made Linux server, SME Server should fill your need.[...]

The community’s forums and wiki are very active and there are lots of HowTos available. Additional repositories are also available for many extra packages that could not be included in the download because of the limitations of a single CD ISO file.

[...]

SME Server is pretty much the original ready-rolled server distribution. Although it has changed hands – and names – a few times, it's been around since 1999, when it was known as e-Smith, a name you'll still see in a few places.

The Register: SME Server: A Linux server OS that's had 11 years to improve, November 17, 2010

In 2001, SME Server was bought by enterprise VOIP vendor Mitel, which for a while offered unified office servers based around e-Smith, which it renamed Managed Application Server. Mitel donated the product back to the community in 2004, where today it is developed cooperatively by a community based around the contribs.org website – originally a home for third-party extensions to the software.

[...]

Perhaps you’re thinking: “So what, I can do that with [your favourite distro here].” What makes SME server special is that its features are well integrated and that after the installation there is no need for end users to see the command line again. You can install it and forget about it.

Tectronix: SME Server: The Linux solution for growing businesses, April 14, 2009

SME server makes it really easy for the user to place an adequate Intranet environment in the net without profound Linux knowledge. The distribution is primarily meant for smaller and medium-size enterprises, in addition, private people profit from the outstanding characteristics of the operating system as Mail and file servers.

[...]

The developers of SME Server did their documentation homework to the best. Appropriate assistance text described really each point of the Web-based configuration, smaller text left refers to the appropriate site for on-line assistance.

LinuxUser (in German), October, 2006

E-Smith SME Server is a Linux distribution designed to serve as a dedicated firewall/gateway server, allowing you to share an Internet connection over a LAN. The distribution is a heavily-modified version of Red Hat Linux, with most of the latter, including the GUI, removed, leaving only what is required to run a firewall/gateway in a small 380MB package.

Australian PC World, December 10, 2003

Installing and configuring SME Server couldn't be easier. For our tests, we installed the software on a Dell PowerEdge 2300 with a fresh 18GB hard drive. The installation process is almost completely automated; at the "boot" prompt, we had to type "proceed" to accept the license agreement and begin the installation, and then sat back while the software installed and configured itself based on our installed hardware without our intervention.

[...]

SME Server is built on a standard Linux operating system which includes common applications and utilities freely available to the Linux community. Although the functionality provided by SME Server is certainly readily available to any knowledgeable Linux administrator, the product's custom management tools and automated installation process let virtually anyone with a modicum of Linux experience install and maintain a network file server with minimal effort. The software is free to download

[...]

SME Server is ideally suited for enterprise environments in which remote servers must be installed to support a user base, and also in cases where on-site technical support to maintain the server is not readily available. Its remote administration and management features--absent from Windows 2000 environments--provide additional flexibility. Also, SME Server requires no client access licenses, so a corporation can serve a dozen or a thousand users from an SME-based server without breaking the bank to pay license fees. Enterprises looking for a flexible, cost-effective alternative to Microsoft's network services should take a close look at SME Server 5.

ZDNet TechReview, January 17, 2002

If you're looking to roll your own Net appliance for either yourself or customers on a shoestring budget, but don't want to sacrifice ease-of-use or performance, definitely give the March Networks SME Server 5 a spin.

Linux Magazine (from Google cache), December 15, 2001

The e-smith package is a fine piece of software, and when you take into consideration the company's high regard for your network's security, it definitely merits a look-see. We have no problem recommending the e-smith server and gateway to small to midsize businesses looking to test the Linux waters.

Network Computing, April 2, 2001

It can be networked with Windows- and Mac OS-based computers, which means you can buy a no-name PC, load e-Smith Server and Gateway on it, then network your IBM ThinkPad and your graphics designer's Macintosh. . . . The server, [e-smith customer James Hertz] said, has been `rock-solid'.

Business Week, October 9, 2000

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showcase614th Sep 2022 - The SME Server development team is pleased to announce the release of SME Server 10.1 which is based on CentOS 7.#