It depends what your level of experience and how much work you want to put in. There are a bunch of good server distros:

Fedora and Nixos could also be one the list but you will have to upgrade them a lot more often than the others.

That being said, you are just getting a basic Linux install. For the things you describe, you would have to locate software that does each of those things and install/configure them. This is probably what I would do but it isn't the right answer for everyone.

The alternative is to go with a prebuilt distro that comes with those things out of the box. You will have less control but also less to setup yourself.

There are probably more like this.

I put links to the slightly less know distros. I am guessing you can find the sites for Debian and Ubuntu on your own 🤣

The last 3 are actually based on BSD-based, not Linux, if that matters to you.

    dalto Hi. thanks. I'll take a look at those distros and keep those in mind.

      I personally use Fedora Server on my home server, no complaints with it throughout the years. Typically I'll choose either an Ubuntu LTS or Fedora Server, depends on the usecase (or when it comes to contract work, the client's needs and acceptable long-term maintenance costs).

        JoshStrobl Hi. thanks for responding. I'll look into Ubuntu as well. For some reason I keep forgetting about them. Which is odd because I had an asus eeepc I ran on ubuntu netbook remix for years before it finally died.

          dalto The last 3 are actually based on BSD-based, not Linux, if that matters to you.

          two years ago I would have barely gotten the concept let alone the nuance of this and your response here. I wouldn't have understood why it mattered. it always forced me to research on my own. (Recently @elfprince educated me [and whoever was following] about the beauty and strange animal that bsd is).
          Great distinction--these little things matter in a positive way.
          my one penny + one penny

              brent I spent so much time spread out with HP, SCO, Solaris and I'm sure I'm forgetting some. Can't say I've tried BSD style(It's possible). When you flip around like that, the nuances become typical behavoirs that you have to coax the "lady" into behaving... And I'm old and a troubleshooter so it's all blending together at this point. XD

                  you are forgetting mac and windows in yr list🙂

                  Sameodave the nuances become typical behavoirs that you have to coax the "lady" into behaving... And I'm old and a troubleshooter so it's all blending together at this point.

                  that 'blending' is what happens with time and experience once the brain learns the programs' behaviors, I get it, I'm getting there. thoughtful reply, thank you.

                      brent I stay away from mac, but mac is..yeah..
                      Windows behaviors tends to lead down the path of "slick it and start over".

                        For servers I manage myself both personally and professionally I use Debian. It doesn't happen often but were I working on a system that needs to be passed along to other people to manage I would like choose Ubuntu LTS as there is far more documentation and community support for it.

                        I personally use a Raspberry Pi to self-host Nextcloud and anything I need with Docker. ARM SBC aren't the easiest way to go for everyone through.

                        I saw people mention some good ones (Ubundu & Fedora Server, ClearOS, OpenMediaVault) so I thought I would offer some up that hadn't been mentioned.

                        1) I try not to suggest paid services but Cloudron is a great server for hosting web-apps that are secure and easy to get up. Way easier than Docker. It runs on top of Ubuntu 20.04 There are fees for running more than one app at any time though.

                        2) FreedomBox is an open-source alternative to CloudRon but I found the documentation really confusing. The apps aren't as well-known or numerous as Cloudron but it's still a stong choice.

                        3) NethServer is a good home/small business server based on CentOS/RHEL. It features "mail server and filter, web server, groupware, firewall, web filter, IPS/IDS or VPN server".

                        4) If you installed Ubuntu or Fedora server you might want to consider Webmin. Webmin has been configured to run on dozens of versions of Linux/Unix. Once it is set up you don't have to alter config files like /etc/password manually anymore.. there will be a browser interface you can log into with a web browser to make the changes.

                          jrsilvey Fedora Server typically ships with cockpit which can handle a considerable amount of configuration already. Not that I typically recommend web-based configuration for this as it opens up another vector for attack (e.g. if there is a security vulnerability in the authentication of the web-based configuration panel itself that basically allows the hacker to gain access to the server via the panel).

                              JoshStrobl Would that still be possible even with remove access turned off and only certificate-based logins enabled?

                                  jrsilvey It would be tempting to spin up my own CA for authentication certs, but I don't know how my kids school required Chromebook would handle it. Probably the single biggest security problem on my network at home at the moment .