What OS for a 433Mhz Celeron acting as a simple file server?

[BlueWeasel]

My GF recently got a new computer, and she gave me her old system:

HP Pavilion
433Mhz Celeron
96mb RAM
6.4gb HD (will be replaced with a larger drive)
8mb ATI video card

I've got several old HD lying around, and was thinking about using the system as a simple file server to increase my storage space. It's got Win98 on it, but it's running terrible. I'm gonna do a format and reinstall, but wonder if there's a better option than going back with Win98.

I've some old SDRAM lying around, so I was thinking about putting 256mb in it, and running a minimal install of W2K.

Are there any CD based distros of Linux (like Knoppix) that would work? Basically, this system is going to run 24/7 with no monitor, mouse, or monitor.

I was even thinking about WinXP (because of Remote Desktop with my main system and laptop), but I think it might be too slow even with all the eye candy disabled. I could always use VNC to control the system.

What would you recommend?

 

[Nothinman]

Debian.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Nothinman
Debian.

One of these days you'll answer differently and send 30 )S forum regulars to the hospital in cardiac arrest.

 

[imported_Phil]

Windows Server 2003 Evaluation version. Hell, you'd need more RAM, but I run it on a Celeron 400Mhz with 320Mb RAM, and it runs pretty damned sweet!

 

[BlueWeasel]

Well, I'm a complete Linux N00b, with the exception of trying out Knoppix a few months ago. I DL'ed the latest Knoppix build this morning, and will give it a go first before I install W2K.

Now, the real question is how easy it will be for me to configure the network settings in Linux so it works fine with my existing WinXP network.

...wish me luck.

 

[Smilin]

For a file server that 433 Celery should be fine with any OS. File serving is not hard on a CPU at all. Your drives and controllers are going to be your real bottleneck if there is one.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I agree with Smilin, with a nod to Nothinman's suggestion. Linux is still a bit more efficient in caching operation for server-type tasks, and generally is *much* easier to deal with in terms of remote-administration, if you are going to run the file-server "headless" (without a monitor). However, the learning curve for setting up a Linux system is a tiny bit steeper than Windows.

 

[addragyn]

Both of these are ridiculously easy and can administered from a browser.

http://linuxiso.org/distro.php?distro=13

http://linuxiso.org/distro.php?distro=19

http://www.datarefuge.com/images/bushvsbush.mov

 

[turbo__]

Clark Connect is very easy to administer. It is very easy to setup too. If you are going with linux you may want to give it a shot.

 

[Nothinman]

One of these days you'll answer differently and send 30 )S forum regulars to the hospital in cardiac arrest.

Keep your eyes peeled around the beginning of April next year =)

 

[oldman420]

whats wrong with xp?

 

[drag]

Originally posted by: oldman420
whats wrong with xp?

Expensive, resticted capabilities, cronic security issues, resource hog (compared to a X-less server).

Linux is easy to setup for file serving once you get used to it. But if that's to much hardwork, then XP is acceptable for small home file servers.

 

[mbackof]

If you have to have windows, go with 2000 professional. It runs better on modest machines than XP which has more processes running and is a bit of a memory hog. If I was creating a file server I would use a linux dist. I can get install disks for Red Hat at work, so I would probably go with that.

 

[binfalse]

I currently have a simple SMB server rnning on RH 7.2 and it has been flawless.

Specs are:
- Pentium Pro 180
- 128MB RAM
- 4.5GB SCSI HD

Here are the current stats...

7:34am up 183 days, 19:48, 1 user, load average: 0.06, 0.02, 0.00

total used free shared buffers cached
Mem: 126560 123768 2792 0 33020 71284
-/+ buffers/cache: 19464 107096
Swap: 321292 3508 317784

Currently serving about 14 users through VPN and local connections.

Cheers!

/bin/false

 

[drag]

looks like you got a old server machine... Pentium Pro, SCSI? Pretty nice catch.

However Redhat 7.2 wasn't so hot security wise. But what works, works. check out the fedora legacy project for support for your OS

But anyways stats like that are the norm for linux. I had a ancient 486 server with 4 scsi disks in them that I used for extra space when I couldn't afford a bigger disk for my desktop. 80+ uptimes were nothing. I would of had a year of uptime on it easy if it wasn't for the occasional blackouts during storms.

Just install whatever, use apt-get/yum or check out [L=linux security.com]http://www.linuxsecurity.com/advisories/] for any fixes/patches for your distro of choice. Debian stable is good because Apt-get makes it easy to keep up to date to keep those nasty script kiddies away from your data.

Then stick a decent UPS on it, stick it in a big closet or the basement. You shouldn't have to touch it except to clean out the occasional dust bunny.

If your a windows guy, use Putty.exe to ssh into the server for command line access from your desktop or over the internet. Setup Webmin for a web-based manager. You can even use VNC if you realy want access to the X windows-based administration tools, you don't even need X running on your server to do that. But I prefer command line via SSH encryption, and webmin is also very nice(Uses SSL for security.)

Stick a DVD burner or two on it for backing up important data.

 

[Need4Speed]

mmmdid someone mention debian already?

 

[eigen]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

One of these days you'll answer differently and send 30 )S forum regulars to the hospital in cardiac arrest.

Keep your eyes peeled around the beginning of April next year =)

What happens then?

 

[jhu]

Originally posted by: eigen

Originally posted by: Nothinman

One of these days you'll answer differently and send 30 )S forum regulars to the hospital in cardiac arrest.

Keep your eyes peeled around the beginning of April next year =)

What happens then?

the space/time continuum will be completely ripped apart 98003 meters above the earth's atmosphere whereby a new line of interdimensional travel will commence when nothinman recommends openbsd.

 

[Nothinman]

Otherwise known as 'April Fools day'.