What linux distro or other OS would be suitable?

[chimpuk]

Got a spare laptop at work (an old acer) that id like to use as sort of a network emergency one.
I need it to have something similar to hyperterminal so I can get into switches via serial cable when the networks down, and also a decent array of network troubleshooting tools would be good

Thing is though, I want it to be very compact and quick booting, which is why I dont want to use windows. The laptop isnt great, a 1ghz celeron with 128mb ram (could maybe find another 128 to bump it up). Quick booting is a must

Any suggestions?

[pepsik]

ubuntu! its just that great.

[chimpuk]

Really?
I actually installed Unbuntu finally on my desktop tonight and its not bad as far as bootup is concerned actually, quicker than windows (the fact im a bit lost as soon as it boots is another story)

does it have a hyperterminal type app built in? I know its got a good few networking tools

[nightheart]

Why not just use 2000? Much as I like linux, trying to fix a company network isn't the best time to work on your learning curve. just my .002 cents. Most likely a standard install won't have many networking tools readily available, but they can easily be installed with apt get or ubuntu's version. If you can find a command line apt. for your needs, you can change your startup runlevel to only boot to a command line, instead of a graphical one. KDE and Gnome are what takes forever to load up. --edit, well the xserver in general. ----Good luck.

[chimpuk]

yeh in the end I did just stick 2000 on it, boots quickly enough

will look into getting a command line one sorted in the future