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File-server OS on 7 computer network...

S

SilentZero

Diamond Member
I ordered all the parts I wanted for my new file-server except the OS. The big question I am facing is are there any drawbacks to using Windows XP Pro as an OS for the server since I am going to have less than 10 connections at a time to the server? Are there any pro's to installing server 2003 standard as opposed to just using XP pro?

Also, I am using FIOS as a broadband provider, and they block port 80 so FTPing in isn't an option. Would that effect how I connect to the server to stream media and share large files? Thanks for the help, its really appreciated!

 
SilentZero....port 80 is HTTP and FTP is 21. So you is ISP is blocking web servers not FTP servers.

I would stick with 2003 server for the file server.

John
 
You want authentication?

I favor Samba on a Linux box. Linux has a vast number of services it can provide and you can easily add more and more over time.
 
Originally posted by: dnoyeb
You want authentication?

I favor Samba on a Linux box. Linux has a vast number of services it can provide and you can easily add more and more over time.
Click to expand...

indeed. The apps are free, and number in the thousands.
 
Originally posted by: skyking
Originally posted by: dnoyeb
You want authentication?

I favor Samba on a Linux box. Linux has a vast number of services it can provide and you can easily add more and more over time.
Click to expand...

indeed. The apps are free, and number in the thousands.
Click to expand...

Thirded. Win2k Server is too expensive for a home setup and is overkill. Hell, WindowsXP will probably do everything you want it to do and then some. Most people make the mistake of NOT going back in after the install and ripping out everything they DON'T need for their purposes. You can pretty much uninstall everything under Windows Setup (except file and printer sharing) and you will have a pretty streamlined, secure OS. If it's not going to be used for anything other than file serving, even remove IE, etc. from it as best as you can and you'll be fine.
 
I am sorry about the port issue, stupid error. lol As far as the linux option, I was considering it however I will be using the server for playing and editing media as well as storing backups and files from my windows machines. Also, how would going cross-platform work (i.e. storing files used typically on a windows system on a server using linux?) And would it be a problem if 5 of the 7 computers connecting to the server were windows? Would the network need to be setup any differently if I went that route? Sorry for the stupid questions, but never had to deal with this issue before.
 
Originally posted by: SilentZero
I am sorry about the port issue, stupid error. lol As far as the linux option, I was considering it however I will be using the server for playing and editing media as well as storing backups and files from my windows machines. Also, how would going cross-platform work (i.e. storing files used typically on a windows system on a server using linux?) And would it be a problem if 5 of the 7 computers connecting to the server were windows? Would the network need to be setup any differently if I went that route? Sorry for the stupid questions, but never had to deal with this issue before.
Click to expand...


The only thing that might cause you a problem is the media editing thing... what software do you use? Whatever it is, it's probably not available for linux, but there will be free alternatives.
 
As long as you don't want your file server to be a domain controller I don't see an issue with XP Pro. You get file security features with XP Pro that can assign user priviledges to your shared folders. The only real drawback to using XP as a file server is that it only allows 10 concurrent connections. Seeing as how you only have 7 computers this won't be an issue.
 
Well I have a few OEM windows XP pro cd's laying around thats why I was just going to make due with it. Getting ahold of server 2003 will run me around $400-$600, so its an option, but one that is not 100% needed.
 
again, if less than 10 pcs are going to be connecting to your file server at the same time, and you don't need the additional features of Windows 2003, then XP Pro will be perfectly fine for a file server.
 
Also, how would going cross-platform work (i.e. storing files used typically on a windows system on a server using linux?)
Click to expand...

You've used the Internet, right? A large portion of the data on Internet is stored on unix machines so if there was a problem with Windows machines accessing it, don't you think you would have noticed?

 
Windows requires ALOT more h/w to run then *nix. I have run linux fileservers on craptastic hardware with large arrays, because I don't have to power X/Gui or other unneeded services. I detest any OS that requires me to go back in post install and clean it up to a workable state.
 
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