Linux on home servers (FALC)

[Lazydonkey]

Need some help from the geeks

I'm toying with the idea of getting a new laptop and retiring my old desktop (currently running VIsta). The initial plan was to buy a NAS to use for backups etc etc but i then thought about sticking Linux (or similar) onto my old desktop and running it as a file server.

Requirements are;
- Cheap or free software
- File sharing for Mac and PC
- printer sharing for the same
- backup / disc mirroring options
- gui front end suitable for a moron who gets bored quickly
- maybe semi smart power management (optional)
- mibbe use it as an itunes server (sorry )

....dont need a web server or email mailbox management but not actively against it either.

Any suggestions adies and gents ?

Ta in advance,

Martin

[Ardiem]

You could take a look at FreeNAS (http://freenas.org/freenas). Really light-weight but may not give you everything you want.

For things like hassle free disk-mirroring for backup purposes you might be best shelling out for Windows Home Server although there are rumours of a new version based on Server 2008 being released soon.

[Lazydonkey]

Should say that this is the alternative i'm looking at

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/151068

[BiggestNizzy]

I have an old desktop sitting in a cupboard that I use for running XBMC as a media server, to be honest It only gets used as a media server to send stuff to the PS3. all my data is stored on a WD mybookworld 500gb (getting full) and everything is connected together with a 16 port switch. it works fine even though it is all a bit cobbled together although I am currently trying to move away from powerline networking to wired.

I also discovered euro modules at the weekend so I am adding ports all over the house

[scott_e]

i had a box running ubuntu for a project, not bad at all.

http://www.ubuntu.com/

[scott_e]

at the risk of sounding like a idiot ..... what does the abrevation FALC mean ?

NLC = "non lotus content" i get , but FALC confuses me.

Please explain

[BiggestNizzy]

I tried Ubuntu and I am sure I have a PC that runs it. It was good up until I wanted to do anything and had to sit with my windows pc and read all the commands off the screen and type them into the command prompt

and

F@#k all lotus content

[scott_e]

F@#k all lotus content

LOL brilliant, ta

[Lazydonkey]

I tried Ubuntu and I am sure I have a PC that runs it. It was good up until I wanted to do anything and had to sit with my windows pc and read all the commands off the screen and type them into the command prompt

REALLY not up for that

[Ardiem]

REALLY not up for that

Which is why is didn't suggest Ubuntu after you specified

gui front end suitable for a moron who gets bored quickly

as prerequisite... I've felt the pain of Linux too often. It's 'fun' if you can be bothered but most people these days want something that just works.

One thing I like about my Windows Home Server is the uTorrent add-on which means you can log into the web interface (remotely too, if you want) and have it run in the background. Naturally you can stream TV, films, music, pics, files etc locally and remotely and automatically backup any windows machines on your home network. Nice thing about it its that 'it just works'. Only problem I've had is streaming video to PS3 you need to get the exact right format of video or it can get a bit wanky.

[BiggestNizzy]

Only problem I've had is streaming video to PS3 you need to get the exact right format of video or it can get a bit wanky.

I have some software for that as yes it can be a bit wanky

[Ferg]

I went through the same quandry recently after outgrowing my Buffalo Linkstation Live 320Gb.

After weighing everything up, with specific sensitivity to cost, I just ended up using a fresh XP installation and buying a raid card and two 500Gb disk from ebuyer. The drives are mirrored for full redundancy, expanadable with more drives and you have the ease of sharing easily using windows and just RDPing on the machine when you want to manage it. The Raid card even came with windows software that emails you if anything untoward happens. Not including the donor computer I did the whole thing for £100.


If you fancy my 320Gb Buffalo NAS then drop me a PM.

[scott_e]

Only problem I've had is streaming video to PS3 you need to get the exact right format of video or it can get a bit wanky.

I have some software for that as yes it can be a bit wanky

I use TVersity for media serving to PS3. Field around my amp drops bit rate however so i tend to use it as a library and copy files to the PS3 before watching. TVersity is free, works a treat.

[Ardiem]

Yep, I tried Tversity too but being deaf I need subtitles as well and the transcription was a bit of a faff with Tversity so I just transcribe when I er...legally obtain my films, most likely using same software as BiggestNizzy.

You can save yourself the whole RAID configuration, a lot of hassle and £25 by buying WHS for £75 pretty much anywhere. You can add new drives and it automatically increases the server storage without needing to get your hands dirty adding them to an existing RAID array and that applies to internal drives as well as USB drives. You simply plug in the new drive, WHS sees it and increases your dynamic storage automatically.

Sorry to bang on about it (and no I don't work for M$) but there's not a lot better out there at the moment for doing all the things that you wanted. You can download a 30 day evaluation too if you want to try before you buy.http://www.microsoft.com/windows/produc ... /eval.mspx

[Lazydonkey]

Hmmmm

To add on WHS i'm talking £75 plus another 500GB HD (say £50)

Or i could spent that money and a bit more an get this
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/149510

Hmmmm decisions decisions.

How is WHS at working with Macs ?