NAS + File + Print Server, what's the easiest way?

[Liberator21]

Hi all,

I want to create a spare 24/7 server that can dish files to the 3 other computers in the house, plus run automated backup and be utilized as a print server.

It doesn't sound hard in concept, but with the options available I don't really know where to start. FreeNAS? Regular Distro with filesharing?

Also, IMPORTANTLY, the other computers OS's are Vista 64, XP, and Ubuntu. I'd like to have sharing between them all with no problems, seeing as the Ubuntu setup is for media and the other two are a workstation and laptop.

Any guides or how-to's would be appreciated!

 

[Brazen]

You can absolutely have file sharing with all them with no problem. Samba is the file serving software, no matter what distro you go with. I personally use an Ubuntu server (in fact I just upgraded it to Hardy this weekend and in the process switched from using VMWare Server to KVM + libvirt, anyway...). The Ubuntu server docs are really quite simple to follow, just look here: help.ubuntu.com and go to the server guide and look for Windows file sharing or something like that.

If you don't want to have to read anything, and just download an install cd and run amok, then you will probably be better off with either FreeNAS or OpenFiler. I've tried them both and I remember one of them stuck out as being much better, but I don't remember which one that was.

 

[PCTC2]

Definitely Ubuntu 8.04 (does not have to be server if you want a GUI) for ease of use. Samba is the way to go, as you can share Printers and Files over Samba to Windows, Mac, and other Linux distros.

 

[xSauronx]

if youre going to use linux make sure your printer is supported. many are but some support is still flaky or nonexistant

HP, Samsung, and Brother all work well. some canon stuff might. check your vendor website, then openprinting

 

[Fallen Kell]

Originally posted by: xSauronx
if youre going to use linux make sure your printer is supported. many are but some support is still flaky or nonexistant

HP, Samsung, and Brother all work well. some canon stuff might. check your vendor website, then openprinting

You really need to check a particular printer. I know several HP printers that do not work under linux, case in point the HP Color LaserJet 1500...

 

[Liberator21]

Thanks guys... I'll check Samba out. I'm running hardy heron as well and so far it's great. First Linux I've ever used.

 

[audiscarp]

Another vote for Ubuntu server here, with a twist though... Check out Webmin (http://www.webmin.com). It's a web-based interface for *nix systems that'll greatly ease your Samba administration. I throw it on a server box with no GUI and it helps tremendously.

 

[Netopia]

I put webmin on virtually every linux box I use.

Joe

 

[skyking]

I'm a little biased about print serving. I suggest using a good network printer with cross platform driver support, rather than run it through another box. For the rest I prefer debian with md raid.

 

[Kaido]

I've had EXTREMELY good success with FreeNAS as a file server, however, I don't think it supports print sharing natively so you'd have to hack something in. But as a file server, FreeNAS is very, very good.

 

[Liberator21]

Great suggestion guys!

SO, it looks like its coming down to FreeNAS or Ubuntu with Samba (& Webmin for interface)... which one gets your vote?

 

[Red Squirrel]

HDDs are so cheap now get yourself at lesat 3 1TB drives make a raid 5 array and use distro of choice and samba. I personally like the RH based distros such as Fedora or CentOS but Ubuntu is good too. If it's strictly going to be a server don't bother with a GUI, or just default your run level to 3 to save a bit of resources by being text only.

Samba is fairly easy to configure so you can even get away without a front end such as webmin. I've always found webmin to be dirty to setup so sometimes its not even worth the hassle.