Easiest way to use a computer as NAS?

[dug777]

Picked up a old p3 rig from work (i'll find out the specs when i get it home) and i'd like to use it as a File Server/NAS device. Is it possible to use it as this without loading a full blown OS?

I don't really want to delve into linux if it isn't, i could probably lay my hands on a copy of Xp (and i have a copy of 98 lying around)...

Cheers :beer:

 

[dug777]

and i'm not entirely sure where i should have put this question

GH or SW?

 

[w00t]

sounds like software or os. I wish i could help maybe a livecd of linux?

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: w00t
sounds like software or os. I wish i could help maybe a livecd of linux?

hmm, i remember reading about that lindows thing a while back, would that work?

I might ask the mods to move it to SW...

 

[w00t]

lindows is rather stupid i wouldnt suggest it. maybe get a non graphical linux distro? live cd you wouldnt have to install it you just put in a cd than you boot into os. i was going to show you some livecd linux distro's but the linux.org site is down.

 

[Googer]

Pocket Linux perhaps?

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: Googer
Pocket Linux perhaps?

can you provide some more info on that mate?

Is it as easy as sticking a floppy disk or two or a CD into the machine?

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: Googer
Pocket Linux perhaps?

can you provide some more info on that mate?

Is it as easy as sticking a floppy disk or two or a CD into the machine?

I have never done it before, pocket linux is one of the smallest linux distobutions out there. It's great to keep on a usb key so you can boot any computer from it. I know there are a few other small linux "Distros" but I cannot think of the names.

http://www.pocket-lnx.org/

 

[n0cmonkey]

You could load Linux, a BSD, or depending on how many clients you have an extra copy of XP/2k. If you have more than a handfull of clients a server version of the Windows OS would be preferable.

linux live cds might work, but I imagine it would be slow...

 

[kami333]

NASLite. Fits on a floppy

 

[Nothinman]

linux live cds might work, but I imagine it would be slow...

Boot would be slow and you'd have to reload the configuration on every bootup, but once the daemons were cached in memory it would be fine.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: kami333
NASLite. Fits on a floppy

ooh, that sounds perfect (well, it's name does ) Do you have some more info on that?

Cheers :beer:

 

[Goosemaster]

http://www.serverelements.com/naslite.php


scroll down

good stuff

 

[Nothinman]

http://www.serverelements.com/naslite.php

It's Linux based, go figure. I'd be curious to find out if they honor the GPL and give you the source code, but I don't feel like wasting $20.

 

[dug777]

Rats, it isn't free?

 

[nsafreak]

Just go with a small linux distro. There are a billion of them out there. Pocket linux would be a good bet although you can make a slackware install really tiny.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: dug777
Rats, it isn't free?

The NASLite v1.x floppy disks generated using the NASLite v1.x Floppy Disk Utility CD-ROM are freely distributable.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: dug777
Rats, it isn't free?

The NASLite v1.x floppy disks generated using the NASLite v1.x Floppy Disk Utility CD-ROM are freely distributable.

but the 'freely avaibale' files are larger than a normal floppy disk...

:head asplodes;

can i just burn them off and boot off a CD?

 

[doan]

SME server is free....

 

[dug777]

bump for some more advice...

can i do this easily with linux? i just want something i can load up and go...

 

[Inspector Jihad]

i need help with this too, as i'm also gonna have an extra crappy computer lying around...

 

[Inspector Jihad]

 

[AdamSnow]

Free bump for an interesting thread

 

[skyking]

dug, I'd help you out getting it set up properly. you can use any linux or unix distro you want. I would suggest putting it on a UPS, since none of the OS's really dig power failures and spikes. If you get an old smartUPS and slap a new battery in it, you can install apcups on the computer and connect it up with a serial cable. It will then shut down the server when the battery gets low.

 

[Seeruk]

Free Bump Also

To be honest, I would go for a bare bones Linux box myself.

I mean all you really need is the kernel + samba (presuming you are sharing this NAS with Windows machines).

Once you are all mounted up etc, should never need touch it again.

In fact perhaps a time I would actually use Gentoo Using their new 2006 live cd, you can run the installer from a nice GUI, and install nothing but what you need and would probably compile in 10-20 mins.