What OS for NAS/HTPC?

[iloveATech]

Hello,

I'm thinking about building a new NAS at some point in the near future that would also serve as an HTPC, and I'm wondering what you all recommend. Beyond Windows, ubuntu, and some antiquated OSes (OS2 warp anyone?), I really have no experience in alternative operating systems.

The NAS will have four purposes:

(1) Store stuff. Be capable of simple drag-->click copy/pasting via windows, ubuntu, or mac on my LAN

(2) Stream, as in decode video, to a TV. Mostly BR rips via HDMI

(3) Watch Hulu.com, again via HDMI

(4) Have remote access capabilities to access files; ie right now I have http://iloveatech.homeserver.com (not the real name) that is easy for the user (I don't mind a tricky setup that has to be done once)

I currently have an HP mediasmart that is ok (using some custom form of windows home server), but it's super slow, really loud, and quite the electric hog. I recently bought the parts to an HTPC, and I'm hoping with a new case, PSU and some HDs I have, I could combine two computers into one, thus reducing waste.

That is, if such a versatile OS exists.

This is a long term project of mine and not urgent, just trying to get a feel for what might be best for my situation.

Many thanks!

 

[Binky]

Just use Win7, or maybe use the Win8 RC for now, and throw the full Win8 on it when it's done. It's easy to use a desktop OS as a fake server OS, it's a little harder to use a server OS as a desktop OS.

 

[SimMike2]

Networking between Windows 7 computers in your home network is really easy.

 

[iloveATech]

Just use Win7, or maybe use the Win8 RC for now, and throw the full Win8 on it when it's done. It's easy to use a desktop OS as a fake server OS, it's a little harder to use a server OS as a desktop OS.

How does one do this?

When i try sharing via the normal home sharing wizard or whatevere it's called, it sometimes works and sometimes doesn't; at least it was really inconsistent in win xp as i recall. Also, i can't seem to write via a Mac because it's NTFS. MAybe I'm talking out of my bum, in any case, how would you get this rolling?

Any particular software you'd recommend for the remote http access, or for the networking setup in general? I haven't been following the win 8 'hoopla' as they call it in the US, is there a reason why you specifically recommended it?

Thank you both (slimmike too) for your time.

 

[Gooberlx2]

To serve files to a mac or XP, you're better off using regular file sharing, not using the homegroup wizard.

Something to this effect:
http://imgur.com/a/DpZCt

For remote access, I'd setup teamviewer or logmein.

For web access to files...I dunno off hand.

 

[iloveATech]

To serve files to a mac or XP, you're better off using regular file sharing, not using the homegroup wizard.

Something to this effect:
http://imgur.com/a/DpZCt

For remote access, I'd setup teamviewer or logmein.

For web access to files...I dunno off hand.

Thank you for the information Goober

If anyone knows the best way for web access of files, please do let me know! Would something like an ftp server work you reckon? Do most PCs have a ftp client installed, or is that integrated into the browser?

Any other ideas on how to remote access files from the web with no special software on the client?

 

[Binky]

For remote access, its not clear if you want to stream videos and pictures, or download other files. An FTP server is pretty easy to setup and you can access it with any browser. For multimedia streaming, there are many programs out there and most of them cost money. You can look at pogoplug (software only) and remote potato. I'm sure that all apps like this have free trials.

Security should be your main concern if you open up to web access. It sounds like you are inexperienced with these issues, so be very careful.

 

[iloveATech]

For remote access, its not clear if you want to stream videos and pictures, or download other files.

I apologize for not being more clear. I want it to just be able to download files remote via a non numerical web address, ftp or http. I only want to play video locally, to the tv that the NAS/HTPC is connected to. It sounds like the FTP server is the way to go. I haven't done this in years, specially because as you say...

Security should be your main concern if you open up to web access. It sounds like you are inexperienced with these issues, so be very careful.

I remember setting up FTP back in the day required one to configure the router to put the PC in the 'DMZ', which I must say is the most terrifying computer phrase around! I went to the DMZ in korea once, and you could just feel the tension. Anyway, it (the DMZ router setting) sounded like it was the equivalent of standing naked on the internet, so I was scared away.

There must be a user friendly ftp program out there, so I might give this a shot soon, and I will be careful, thanks for the warning.

Thanks to everyone for their feedback!

 

[wirednuts]

vpn is another option?

 

[Snoop]

You could put the files on the web with IIS, turn off anonymous access, put a SSL cert on the site, and use windows authentication which would prompt for a password on the web.
---Edit, I am not sure how the files will display in a browser. You may need to make an html page to index the files

I would also recommend setting the windows authentication account as a user with 0 access to anything on the server besides the folder with your files.

 

[iloveATech]

VPN I also had a difficult time with because, at the time, it required putting the PC in question into the DMZ zone, which I don't completely understand. It's

Windows home server was nice because it does this stuff for me, but I guess what I'm hearing is that it's not that hard, and I should look into it

IIS is something I've never even heard of, so I'll try looking that up as well and seeing how hard this is.

Thanks to all for the comments!