Anyone ever set up a home file server?

[joe.bennett]

I'm curious to know what people have used to set up a dedicated home file server.

There are a ton of products out there: MS Server 2003/2008, Ubuntu server, etc. Some cost some major $$$, some are free, but very difficult to set up.

Personally I've been playing with a product called FreeNAS (www.freenas.org). It runs on FreeBSD, has a very small memory footprint, and was very easy to set up and implement. Within 30 minutes, I was able to take an old PC I had laying around and have a working home file server.

So what is everyone else using?

Originally Posted by joe.bennett

I'm curious to know what people have used to set up a dedicated home file server.

There are a ton of products out there: MS Server 2003/2008, Ubuntu server, etc. Some cost some major $$$, some are free, but very difficult to set up.

Personally I've been playing with a product called FreeNAS (www.freenas.org). It runs on FreeBSD, has a very small memory footprint, and was very easy to set up and implement. Within 30 minutes, I was able to take an old PC I had laying around and have a working home file server.

So what is everyone else using?

I've setup Windows Home Server (really 2003 SBS), 2003, 2008 and Ubuntu so far. From a $$$ point of view I preferred Ubuntu () and once you've set Samba up once it's a breeze. I suppose having experience of DEC Pathworks helped with the Samba stuff. The Windows setups were easy based on work experience.

FreeNAS isn't something I've heard of and will definitely take a look. I have a Pentium 4 looking for a job

How tos on FreeNAS and Ubuntu server would make a good addition to the site.

It's worth remembering as well that if all your home PCs are running XP or better it's (fairly) easy to designate one as a File/Print server as long as the total number of concurrent in bound workstation connections doesn't exceed 10.

Much as I like Windows, I prefer the unlimited free, as in free beer, approach

Off to check out FreeNAS.

Rik

[joe.bennett]

Originally Posted by rikmayell

How tos on FreeNAS and Ubuntu server would make a good addition to the site.

I was thinking the same thing, but there are already so many "How to's" out there on FreeNAS and Ubuntu Server that it would be like reinventing the wheel.

I don't know. I suppose we could write it from the standpoint of a generic user trying to set this stuff up, but it is still quite a technical task to set up a home file server. I do computer tech stuff for a living and have a good understanding of the basics of networking. That made setting up a home file server easy, but for my dad who knows nothing of all this, he would never be able to pull it off.. even if he had detailed instructions.

Originally Posted by joe.bennett

I was thinking the same thing, but there are already so many "How to's" out there on FreeNAS and Ubuntu Server that it would be like reinventing the wheel.

I don't know. I suppose we could write it from the standpoint of a generic user trying to set this stuff up, but it is still quite a technical task to set up a home file server. I do computer tech stuff for a living and have a good understanding of the basics of networking. That made setting up a home file server easy, but for my dad who knows nothing of all this, he would never be able to pull it off.. even if he had detailed instructions.

Ok, I take your point about the how to's, but remember, there are lots of sites out there that do what we do, we're just TBOTB

As to your family, or my family, setting up a home network perhaps we're missing the point a bit. We could go into the details of setting up a typical wired or wireless network but I've never come across such a thing. Normally people buy an off the shelf solution, use the free technical support and, assuming they can get on-line come to people like us for help.

Rik

[chris.p]

Hey guys,

What are the basic differences between running a real fileserver or LANserver, and a simple basic LAN / webserver like XAMPP or HFS on Windows? What jobs will a fileserver need to do that a webserver can't?

Sorry, I never worked on Networks.

Originally Posted by chris.p

Hey guys,

What are the basic differences between running a real fileserver or LANserver, and a simple basic LAN / webserver like XAMPP or HFS on Windows? What jobs will a fileserver need to do that a webserver can't?

Sorry, I never worked on Networks.

Chris,

A file/print server for a local network will give access to shared disk and print services regardless of host, assuming they have security access. Using Web services suggests that client requests are untrusted and grouped into a single category for that sake.

Web clients shouldn't need LANMAN server access to your network, this should be restricted to admins, who would be better off using SSH or a password protected Web interface.

Sometimes it's difficult to pull competing requirements apart. Consider the 'system' as a layer, identify what facilities and access controls can be provided at each layer, and then map the user requirement across. Of course, the other complication is the business goal, which I believe can be dealt with by an understanding of both it, and the technology.

Tough one

I'm off to Cambridge on Tues to spend Christmas with my Mum and Sister. If we don't exchange messages before then I wish you and Tony, your families, and business, a successful 2010.

Rik