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What OS to use for file server?

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OuiKikUrAzz

Senior member
Well of course I knowof the linux and unix comparisons but I need to know what you guys think would be a better choice, let's NOT factor in price.

Win 2k server
Win XP
FreeBSD
NetBSD
OpenBSD
BeOS
any Linux flavor

Well what I am looking for a fairly simple install, ability to run a ftp and a way to share printers on a network. O and of course file sharing.

Other than the OS and anything required to do the tasks above, nothing else will be installed in the server, no office suites, firewalls or anything like that...MAYBE a virus scanner.

The installation process is the most important thing, I don't want to spend hours learning some sort of language just to setup the hard drives so the workstations running win98 or winxp can see the files.

O and of course I want SUPER stability, at least 60 days up time because I would schedule reboots just for the heck of it. STABILITY!!!!
 
Since you specified ease of installation, I would say Win2K Server. Just be sure to nail down IIS and keep up with the security patches. Have been responsible for multible production servers (Windows and Linux) for the university that I work for, I've come to the following conclusion:
Unix/Linux is about as stable as it gets. But a properly setup/tweaked Win2k server can be almost as stable, without all of the work of learning the server side functions of Linux (assuming that you don't already know this.) Samba and CUPS (files and print sharing programs included with Linux) can be very difficult to setup if you're new to Linux, hence my suggestion if Win2K server.
Hope this helps.
Nitro
 
What is your hardware? I got a 60Gig filer server running on a P150 with 32M. It's running Debian and Samba. Debian might be tricky to install for a first timer, but Samba was a breeze.
 


<< What is your hardware? I got a 60Gig filer server running on a P150 with 32M. It's running Debian and Samba. Debian might be tricky to install for a first timer, but Samba was a breeze. >>



my hardware is way overated for a file server but hey it's not my money nor is it my hardware...it's a:

p4 1.6a
512mb ddr
2x20gb hd's in raid 1
the almighty NIC so I can network this baby

and everything else is basics (crappy vid, no sound...etc etc)
 
Yeesh! Go with Win2k then 🙂. How many people are going to be accessing it? Don't forget Win2k Pro is limited to 10 connections.
 


<< Yeesh! Go with Win2k then 🙂. How many people are goingto be accessing it? Don't forget Win2k Pro is limited to 10 connections. >>



10? more than enough, only gonna be using 5.
 


<< Do you have any lower end hardware than that machine? Why not use that one for a work station? >>



well the worstations are all pretty much the same... p4 1.5-2ghz worstations. The only one that's not a P4 is a PIII 800mhz, but they don't want to wipe that system out because of all the settings and data on it...plus the secretary doesn't need all that power anyhow 😛

and this would be the only system with raid
 
Linux is nice and stable, but getting to reside happily with windows is something ive just ignored - I would go with Win 2k Server, or possibly XP.
 


<< Since price is NOT a factor and you primarily want file and print sharing, I would say NetWare is king. >>



True. Way overkill, but it would definitely work well if you're willing to pay for it.

Linux would do well also, though it may be easier to run a software RAID than fuss with the card. Assuming you've got an office-quality laser printer (i.e. it speaks Postscript), Linux printer setup would not be too hard to do. If not, then I'd go with Netware or W2K.
 
Use the one you know how to use, otherwise you'll just introduce a lot of problems. Also realize that setting up a Windows server is not the same as setting it up as a workstation.

I personally would use Linux, I find it easier to use, setup, debug and maintain than Windows.
 


<<

<< What is your hardware? I got a 60Gig filer server running on a P150 with 32M. It's running Debian and Samba. Debian might be tricky to install for a first timer, but Samba was a breeze. >>



my hardware is way overated for a file server but hey it's not my money nor is it my hardware...it's a:

p4 1.6a
512mb ddr
2x20gb hd's in raid 1
the almighty NIC so I can network this baby

and everything else is basics (crappy vid, no sound...etc etc) >>



Win2k server 🙂
 
For file/print netware is the king but for ease of use and installation windows 2000. If this is just a single file server and you have no use for active directory or dfs then professional should be enough.
 
you could easily take those harddrives and throw them in a P200 64MB and run e-smith.org SME Server and pull those off. We have 100+ users and it more than suffices as a print server, mp3 server, and ftp server. We use something else for a file server but if I had the harddrives I'd run it on it too and it wouldn't be a problem.
 
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