Which Microsoft OS for file server/ HTPC?

[BG4533]

I am setting up a computer that I would like to use as a file server for multimedia files (MP3, divx, etc.), playing these files, emulator games (mainly NES) and other simple things. If possible I would like to be able to use this server to access files over the internet as well and I would rather not use FTP. If possible, I would also like to use this server to stream "live" TV over the internet for my use. The server will have the following hardware:
AMD XP1700
ECS K7S5A
256MB PC133 CL2 (Could throw another 256MB PC100 in as well if it would help)
Matrox G400
Hauppauge TV Tuner
and all the other little things.

Through the CIS dept at my university I have access to Microsoft Win2K Pro, Server, Advanced Server, WinXP and Server 2003. Which OS would fit my needs best? I would like to play around with one of the server OSs. Also, what would be the best way of securely accessing my files over the internet? Linux is an option for this, but since I get these MS server OSs for free I figured I might as well stick with one of these.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[drag]

If you were going to run a windows file server, my best bet would get w2k server. Pro is just for desktops. Hell, get advanced server if it's not going to cost more. Stay away from XP. It has no intrisic value as a server and is a hardware hog.



Of course being a linux guy, I would suggest linux.

And what's wrong with ftp? if you want to create a file server over the internet it's the best thing going. Using nice windows ftp client like ws_ftp le (pro is a commercial app) you can copy, move, delete, download, upload files easily over the internet. That's why it's called file transfer protocol. The only thing about it is that IE support of ftp sucks. But their are many other alternatives out there.

For streaming video I suggest trying VideoLan It can stream all sorts of stuff. TV capture cards, DVDs, cds, mpegs etc etc. I never used it, but it seems pretty snazzy. It's GPL'd btw so it's Free, and I think they have versions for windows, too, but I bet it works best with linux.

For just watching tv on your computer, I don't think it will help with streaming stuf, but it can record/encode mpeg stuff realtime and do the fun stuff like skipping commercials in "live" tv, just like tivos could as well as a whole bunch of other stuff. I suggest checking out MythTV, again I never used, but am planning too.

Your happauge video card I think is supported using the BTTV drivers and Video4Linux stuff. I generally use xawtv for a tv viewer with my ATI Wonder TV LE card, which is a close cousin chipset-wise if I remember correctly, generally ATI All-in-Wonder 3d cards with tv turners are completly different from yours or my card.

You see I just got my "new" HD from ebay and now I can finish my little "breifcase" computer (probably work on it all week) as a entertainment system, so you kinda caught me in a planning stage. But when it comes to file sharing I don't think Windows can hold a candle to Linux. And don't forget for LAN sharing you can use SAMBA, which is a excelent at windows file sharing and is supposedly faster then actually using a windows server under some circumstances.

If you are not familar with Linux, I suggest trying out SuSE's live-eval disk. It's a linux-on-a-cd disk for you to boot from and have a semi-full fledged linux distro. Or maybe check out knoppix. If you like them then you can use SuSe's ftp install disk to install your OS over the internet, or knoppix to do the same with debian. Debian would be a better choice for what you doing, but it has a steeper learning curve.

If your not comfortable with Linux and using command line stuff every once and a while, then don't worry, then Windows Server (or AD) would be my server of choice by far.

 

[loup garou]

I have a similar setup at home with 2000 Server and it works great. I'm going to try out Server 2003 (180 day trial) on another machine, because I heard that Windows Media Services is a bit better on it.

 

[BG4533]

Originally posted by: werk
I have a similar setup at home with 2000 Server and it works great. I'm going to try out Server 2003 (180 day trial) on another machine, because I heard that Windows Media Services is a bit better on it.

Any idea when you are going to try it out? I am planning on setting this up in about 2 weeks. If you try it out by then, let me know what you think.

Also, would there be any advantages to using 2K Advanced Server over Server?

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: BG4533

Originally posted by: werk
I have a similar setup at home with 2000 Server and it works great. I'm going to try out Server 2003 (180 day trial) on another machine, because I heard that Windows Media Services is a bit better on it.

Any idea when you are going to try it out? I am planning on setting this up in about 2 weeks. If you try it out by then, let me know what you think.

Also, would there be any advantages to using 2K Advanced Server over Server?

With the setup you've quoted, absolutely no advantages. I really don't know when I'm going to get a chance to play with 2k3, maybe over the 3day weekend.

 

[EeyoreX]

Unless you are building a cluster of servers there is no added benefit to using Advanced Server. Windows 2003 Server has some nice features as far as media services and such, so that might be the one to try. As far as Windows XP, for a simple file server it is more than adequate, for a simple ftp/web/other server for just your access, it is more than adequate, though for streaming media, I have no idea, but the VideoLAN software mentioned above looks like it will work just fine. You mention you want to play games, which should not be a problem with any of these choices. Though the Windows 2000 choices might give you a little trouble, I should think that some configuing and you should be alright. Personally, I would go with either Windows 2003 Server or Windows XP Pro. Both are essentially the same OS, Windows 2003 simply has many things turned off (for security) that Windows XP leaves on by default, plus a few other features. You can do the same thing with either oS in your case.

\Dan