My Server Options

[Gruelius]

Hi everyone.

At the moment i have a basic server
4*200GB seperate IDE disks
40GB Server disk
1800+
512mb ram
XP Pro SP2 OEM ( i got me a lisence for free )

Im thinking of upgrading it hardware wise to something along the lines of raid 5 with 320gb disks or 750gb disks over gigabit ethernet.

At the moment all it does is: Shares a printer for the house,Share the TV shows, Allow everyone to put files on the server as a temp share directory, Burn backup DVD's

I would like to use the lisence on another computer, for a VM on a linux box.

My main question is will linux be able to do all this effectively, sharing to a Vista MCE + a Xp laptop, including sharing the printer. Ive found linux printer drivers for my printer (Konica Minolta 2300w). My linux knowledge isnt so great but im still trying to learn at the moment, sick of virus's and spyware e.t.c.

I would like to have a VNC kind of thing or a terminal service, and i would also like a web utility so i can like just browse the disks to see what files are on the disks e.t.c.

The computer will just be connected via ethernet with no monitor/keyboard so i need to be able to login/access it over the network.

Ive had great experiences with ubuntu so would probably use that however i dont really care which Distro i use. I can live without a GUI for file copying/pasting but i think burning backup dvd's without a GUI would be a tad hard lol

Also software wise are there any apps where i can select a bunch of files, say a 10GB size season of TV shows, which divides the files into dvd disc quantities (4gb 4gb 2gb) and titles the dvd's accordingly? Been searching for one for ages, thinking of having a go at programming it some day

And my linux knowledge is okish, i understand the filesystem, some terminal commands, how the OS works kind of, things like aptget e.t.c.

Cheers
Julius

[PCgeek]

Hi Gruelius,

If your knowlege of linux isn't that good then I would suggest doing all the teminal services and remote access through a windows PC (server2003?) to teh linux server doing the basic print / file sharing.

The web utillity you need to browse the disks is called a FTP serve (file transfer protocol). In windows this is very easily done with a setup wizard to a netowork attached or shared drive.

Yes this may mean anothe computer but my way will save you the touble with learnign linux where windows can do it all with wizards.

[arkay]

Originally Posted by Gruelius

Hi everyone.

At the moment i have a basic server
4*200GB seperate IDE disks
40GB Server disk
1800+
512mb ram
XP Pro SP2 OEM ( i got me a lisence for free )

Im thinking of upgrading it hardware wise to something along the lines of raid 5 with 320gb disks or 750gb disks over gigabit ethernet.

At the moment all it does is: Shares a printer for the house,Share the TV shows, Allow everyone to put files on the server as a temp share directory, Burn backup DVD's

I would like to use the lisence on another computer, for a VM on a linux box.

My main question is will linux be able to do all this effectively, sharing to a Vista MCE + a Xp laptop, including sharing the printer. Ive found linux printer drivers for my printer (Konica Minolta 2300w). My linux knowledge isnt so great but im still trying to learn at the moment, sick of virus's and spyware e.t.c.

Yes. Linux can do all that rather simply, given your level of experience with Linux (not a novice), you should have no problems.

I would like to have a VNC kind of thing or a terminal service, and i would also like a web utility so i can like just browse the disks to see what files are on the disks e.t.c.

The computer will just be connected via ethernet with no monitor/keyboard so i need to be able to login/access it over the network.

Interestingly that is exactly what Xwindows and the networking in Linux is designed for. There's any number of ways to do this. VNC is one.

Ive had great experiences with ubuntu so would probably use that however i dont really care which Distro i use. I can live without a GUI for file copying/pasting but i think burning backup dvd's without a GUI would be a tad hard lol

No need. You can run up k3b from a remote console, stick in a blank DVD and burn away.

Also software wise are there any apps where i can select a bunch of files, say a 10GB size season of TV shows, which divides the files into dvd disc quantities (4gb 4gb 2gb) and titles the dvd's accordingly? Been searching for one for ages, thinking of having a go at programming it some day

Wouldn't take long to write that but you would want to design the filesystem structure up front to simplify any processing done afterwards.. I could help you to write something that just copies specified folders to 4.7 GB chunks.. You could then manually burn those with k3b. A bit of extra effort could have them burnt and deleted automatically (but one step at a time).

And my linux knowledge is okish, i understand the filesystem, some terminal commands, how the OS works kind of, things like aptget e.t.c.

Cheers
Julius

As I said you have enough knowledge to do this relatively easily and I'd be happy (as I'm sure others would) to help you through the disk configuration, filesystems layout, sharing, coding (if necessary) etc. Your proposed setup is essentially what I run right now (except I backup to tape). Some of the backup software around actually already backs up to DVD so in essence what you are talking about has already been done, you've probably been looking in the wrong place.

Finally. As I've said in another similar thread. The cost base to try this out is $0 and your time. If you find Linux unsuitable, too difficult etc then all the hardware will still run under Windows and you've lost nothing. The most important thing with server design is the thought that you put into it up front. You don't want to be backing up and re-creating raid devices once they are well utilised.. Get it all down on paper first (I'm happy to help with that too), then start building.

It would be a very interesting project to work through and document for the benefit of others. Something I've been meaning to do for some time.

Cheers,

Arkay.

[arkay]

Originally Posted by PCgeek

Hi Gruelius,

If your knowlege of linux isn't that good then I would suggest doing all the teminal services and remote access through a windows PC (server2003?) to teh linux server doing the basic print / file sharing.

The web utillity you need to browse the disks is called a FTP serve (file transfer protocol). In windows this is very easily done with a setup wizard to a netowork attached or shared drive.

Yes this may mean anothe computer but my way will save you the touble with learnign linux where windows can do it all with wizards.

Forgive me but that is such a Windows response. Uses an extra machine, a ton of licensing and HTTP is a dandy way of viewing directories as apposed to ftp (something Linux also excels at)....

Wizards maybe but just as complex not to mention all the virus/adware junk you'd be running all over the shop and once it's set up in Linux, you should never need to touch it, no updates, no downtime.

One thing you might want to consider though is will this thing run 24x7? As you will have a hard time of it trying to get standby and Wake On Lan running well in Linux..

Cheers,

Arkay.

[PCgeek]

Originally Posted by arkay

Forgive me but that is such a Windows response. Uses an extra machine, a ton of licensing and HTTP is a dandy way of viewing directories as apposed to ftp (something Linux also excels at)....

Wizards maybe but just as complex not to mention all the virus/adware junk you'd be running all over the shop and once it's set up in Linux, you should never need to touch it, no updates, no downtime.

One thing you might want to consider though is will this thing run 24x7? As you will have a hard time of it trying to get standby and Wake On Lan running well in Linux..

Cheers,

Arkay.

Because of the lack of experience in the Linux OS i as merely suggesting another alternative. I have done all this on Linux before but found it fairly time consuming.

WHAK! (hand on fore head)
HTTP... how could i have over looked! of course go for HTTP over FTP.

[arkay]

No problems. I have a different point of view being used to both Windows and Linux so I guess I could set up either alternative in about the same time. I don't think Linux is overly complex. Just different to Windows. If people spent as much time with Linux as they have with windows I'm sure they'd have no problems either.

Learning curve in my opinion is not a good reason not to do something. Unless you are strapped for time.

Cheers,

Arkay.

[vlad]

Originally Posted by arkay

not to mention all the virus/adware junk you'd be running all over the shop and once it's set up in Linux, you should never need to touch it, no updates, no downtime.

Don't want to start Arkay, but are you saying that Linux do not have vulnerabilities and does not need to be updated?
This reminds me of Apple vs PC adds.

As a file/printer/whatever sharing device with this single purpose I would prefer Linux simply because of cost. And by the way it is not as difficult - I found it is simple with build-in apps. Different matter when you need to install something not standard.

[PCgeek]

All my Linux mechine does is share files and Host a website and I'm happy with it.

specs:

P2 500mhz
64mb ram
40gb HDD

I also want to setup a domain controller and have decided on server 2K3 over linux because of the learning curve.

[arkay]

Originally Posted by vlad

Don't want to start Arkay, but are you saying that Linux do not have vulnerabilities and does not need to be updated?
This reminds me of Apple vs PC adds.

For a fileserver that should behind a NAT hardware firewall then yes. No vulnerability and no requirement to update it at all once you have everything in your config working. In fact.

The only reason you would update is if new functionality or hardware support that you need is released.

Cheers,

Arkay.

[vlad]

Originally Posted by arkay

For a fileserver that should behind a NAT hardware firewall then yes. No vulnerability and no requirement to update it at all once you have everything in your config working. In fact.

The only reason you would update is if new functionality or hardware support that you need is released.

Cheers,

Arkay.

Well, then it goes to Windows too, isn't it?

[arkay]

Yes. Though my faith in the ability of Windows to run uninterrupted is limited. You would also need to be careful about running any exe files and/or internet access through it in terms of downloading etc...

I don't have any virus software on my Linux server.. (but then, I never ran it on Windows either), careful management is usually enough..