I am doing research on an exciting project which involes a list of
linux servers around the world. It's a very exciting project funded by
SigEx Ventures who has many advanced projects like this and I am
trying to find which linux systems/versions I should be using and what
tools are more appropriate for that.

I am starting here and this is a school, so I am not a professional,
but would like to learn as much as I can. Anyone can point me to some
good ressources on the subject ?