Linux

[Division56]

I plan on building a linux network drive/file server for my home network. I was wondering if any of you had opinions on the best version of Linux for this project? I've never worked with it before but people say it's much more stable than XP and I know XP would be terrible for this.

*eyes NGene*

[Division56]

BTW, the stats for the box:


2.4Ghz P4
512MB RAM
64 or 128MB Graphics Card (depending on which one i can make work)
Cheap Soundcard
One or more 200GB HDs

[Claverhouse]

I'm not running Linux just now, and have no great knowledge of it, rather a strong preference.

But if you knew SUSE...



Claverhouse :ph34r:

[file cabinet]

using knoppix would be the 'simple' approach or using slackware / gentoo if you're feeling more hardcore... I assume you'll be using samba... ?

[Division56]

using knoppix would be the 'simple' approach or using slackware / gentoo if you're feeling more hardcore... I assume you'll be using samba... ?


I think I'm going to be taking a page out of Melody's book and run off crying now.

*runs off, crying*

[Division56]

The reason I really want it is that I do reinstalls of windows on my comps every six months or so. That's a lot of backing up each time. It would be so much easier to store my multimedia files and such on a stable network drive.

*hops on tippy toes looking for NGene*

[file cabinet]

.. why not just back up on another hard drive..... ?
and.. all you need to know for linux is how to read the man files and read the how to's
you could always install vmware to start your learning that. cygwin.. mm yeah.

[Division56]

You notice the plurals, I have several computers. I want a nice media server for the house.

When I start backing up, I end up getting two and three of the same files, the music databases get all messed up. And I have about 10GB of mp3s and 90 of movies and TV.


Basically, I want something stable to hold onto in my crazed world of failing Windows systems.

[HackerX]

using knoppix would be the 'simple' approach or using slackware / gentoo if you're feeling more hardcore... I assume you'll be using samba... ?

Knoppix isn't a good server anything option

I like (and run) Suse 9.1

[cloakable]

I like (and run) Suse 9.1

Really? I use that distro. Do you know any good software for a SuSE box?

[Aryan]

Use mandrake 10
It has a lot of goodies
I am currently using it and it hardly shows any bugs

[spirilis]

For fileserving? SuSE Linux. It lets you set up Linux LVM and create partitions with it right from the installer. Actually a few distros probably do this, but SuSE I have experience with...

LVM (Logical Volume Manager) is god-like for a Linux-based fileserver, at least one where you don't need hardcore redundancy or RAID5 stuff. I mean it is GOD-like. You can take multiple disks, assimilate them into one "volume group" which is basically a pool of disk space, create partitions (Logical Volumes, each of which hold one filesystem) within there, RESIZE THEM as you need (by unmounting and using any of the tools that come with LVM for performing the resize), delete them, create new ones at will... you can also specify (if you have more than 1 Physical Volume) to create logical volumes as a stripe (ala RAID0) for performance, etc.

I am currently using a Sun Ultra 5 with SunOS 5.9 (Solaris 9) as my server/router/fileshare/etc., but I am trying to build out a SuSE Linux-based PC to take its place so I can harness the power of LVM. Plus I am getting a tad sick of Solaris.