Setting up a fileserver

[MrYogi]

I need to setup a fileserver for a small group of people for a project that ends on October 31.
I have worked with Windows and Macs and can say that I have good knowledge of both. I have tried linux but I am still a newbie. I can run some commands and can some small stuff.

For the project, for the server, there is no budget. I have a Celeron 2GHz that will be used as the fileserver. My question is -
I downloaded the 180 day evaluation version of Windows server 2003, full version of Fedora Linux. Redhat, and Mandrake Community edition 10.0

Considering my skills in windows, should I install windows 2003 (6 months) on the computer? Should I use Fedora/Mandrake? The last thread I posted, people suggested clarkconnect. Clarkconnect is not free.

Pls advise.

 

[skyking]

More comfortable in windows? Use it. If you have to ask which linux or unix distro to use, then you are not familiar enough with any of them. For filesharing, there is no difference which platform you run samba on, for example. Any will do it fine.

 

[JackMDS]

Unlike Win2000 Server, it is much easier to set Windows2003 Server.

 

[Nothinman]

Unlike Win2000 Server, it is much easier to set Windows2003 Server.

The fact that he only has a 6 month trial might be a problem, unless the small group of people aren't concerned with legalities.

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

Unlike Win2000 Server, it is much easier to set Windows2003 Server.

The fact that he only has a 6 month trial might be a problem, unless the small group of people aren't concerned with legalities.

He could mail me the motherboard, processor, ram, and hard drive and I could set him up properly.......

 

[Fiveohhh]

If you want to learn some linux install fedora, and webmin and make sure samba is installed. With Webmin installed its real easy to setup a samba server and users. And free. You could also buy xp and use that if you want windows. using a 180 trail will be a PITA in 6 months unless you want to buy $400 server OS just for file sharing

 

[MrYogi]

XP Pro has a limit of 10 simultaneous connections.
I am going to install ClarkConnect and try it.

Thank you.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

Unlike Win2000 Server, it is much easier to set Windows2003 Server.

The fact that he only has a 6 month trial might be a problem, unless the small group of people aren't concerned with legalities.

Well, the original post stated: "I need to setup a fileserver for a small group of people for a project that ends on October 31.

This is about 6 months.

 

[MrYogi]

Windows 2003 Trial edition EULA does not permit using it in production environment. M$ is evil. If somehow the trial edition expires before 6 months, I will be screwed. I will be making backups but it is not worth the trouble.

I am getting ClarkConnect. Can I use the homeedition?

 

[Nothinman]

M$ is evil.

No, they're just a for-profit company. The line may be thin, but it's there.

I am getting ClarkConnect. Can I use the homeedition?

Linux is linux so technically any distro will work fine, the problem is that if the home edition doesn't come with the things you need you'll end up having to install them yourself which might not be fun. Fedora might be the better option, the installer is simple and I know things like Samba and Webmin are already packaged and on the CDs.

 

[DrVos]

Try out SME Server at www.e-smith.org. Its a linux distro based on Redhat 7 that is really easy to setup. I'm a linux newb too, but was able to get this up and running in under an hour. Of course, best of all is the fact that it is free! Go and check out the support forums at contribs.org

 

[Southerner]

Ditto SME server. Try it -- you'll like it.