Suggestions on building a data server...

[NathanBWF]

So most of our system is run off a UNIX server, and all important data is backed up nightly. The problem is that is all well and good for the UNIX stuff, but we really don't have anywhere to back up our Windows based data to. Therefor I want to build a data server. Nothing fancy, just somewhere where about 20 users can back up Warranty pictures, misc. documents etc. I'm thinking of setting up a RAID mirror, but other than that I'm looking for input from others who have done this before. The users O/S's vary from Win98, WinME, Win2k and XP.

To save on some of the cost I was thinking of throwing a Linux distro on there but wasn't too sure how well the permissions/networking of all the different O/S's would turn out...

Ideas? Suggestions?

 

[ss284]

Since the data being stored seems pretty small (20 users) and the user base is primarily using windows, 1 or two Raid 1 arrays (or a raid 5 array) running windows 2k server (which i assume you have a licence to) or any decent linux distro should be more than sufficient.

If you want hot-swapping/higher reliability/speed (and have the money) you should definitely go adaptec/3ware sata or scsi interfaces/drives. A couple companies also sell relatively cheap nas devices (about $1k) that have their own linux distro installed and room for a little expansion.

Since you are basically running a NAS with simple domain permissions, most up to date Linux distros should work with a little effort.

-Steve