Setting up a file server

[CrimsonChaos]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could give me a simple breakdown (or extensive instructions, if you have the time/desire!) of how to setup a file-server? This will be a simple file server that will just store some data for us that may take up a lot of room but aren't really that important (i.e. music, videos, recipes, gaming data files, etc...).

For example, these are the types of questions I need answered off the top of my head:

- What kind of computer do I need (i.e. minimum hardware specs)?
- What is the best OS to use, assuming the other computers on the network use XP Pro?
- How do I make the hard-drive on the server accessible by the other computers on the network without exposing it to the Internet?
- The Network uses a Linksys router, and the server would of course have anti-virus software, but is there any other types of security precautions we need to take besides this?

Any information would be greatly appreciated - thanks in advance!

 

[DaveSimmons]

A cheap Semporn from Outpost.com or any other CPU over 1 GHz will work great. If you have anything slower sitting around it will probably work fine too.

For an old system you may need to add a PCI disk controller card to support large PATA (regular IDE) drives over 120 GB or for SATA drives.

For large drive support in the OS you want linux, Win2000, or XP Pro with SP1 or 2.

Share files based on authenticated users, or just share them to anyone since the router hides the server.

 

[CrimsonChaos]

Ok, that was one of my questions - so linux can store files that WindowsXP Pro can access? And there isn't any compatibility of communications issues between them?

The server wouldn't need a "huge" hard-drive, as it won't be backing up the other systems. I thought about just getting a large external hard-drive to back up the primary computers. (The server is only storing unimportant files). Is this practical?

Yes, I thought the router hid the server from the Internet but just wanted to be sure. Neither of the primary computers have software firewalls installed (aside from what comes with Windows), so I didn't want there to be any security issues.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[DaveSimmons]

It would definitely be easiest to get one of those hard drives that connects to your router / LAN, eespecially if you only need 80 - 160 GB of storage.

Or a USB hard drive that attaches to one computer at a time, but that doesn't allow you to read or write files except when the drive is connected to your own computer.

 

[sharkeeper]

Why not get a router with a USB port and plug in a USB hard drive? Instant shared data without the hassle. Great for a beginner that does not want to learn how to become an administrator!

 

[CrimsonChaos]

Ok maybe I'll try that. Any chance I can get a hard-drive that will plug into a router using a the RJ-45 ports?? I didn't want to have to buy a new router....

So with this hard-drive that plugs straight into a router, it will allow two users to write/read from it simultaneously?

Can you recommend a brand-name (and even model or type) that I should buy if I go the harddrive-into-router solution?

 

[thirdlegstump]

Snap!

 

[AnotherGuy]

Check this out Linksys Network Attached Storage 120GB

With this thing only, you can avoid the need for a server... U can set different usernames and groups for access permisions to specific folders of your 120gb hard disk... and its only $425 including the software to set up all these features.

U can even use this as a DHCP server for ur client PCs. Very easy to install and everything. U can even use it as an FTP server and as a Print server.

Less money and exactly BASIC hardware for someone like you that doesnt need to know a lot about servers.