What Linux distribution should I use?

Question

Ok I've inherited two old Windows Machines, (currently they have around 150 GB Hard Drive space each) I want to turn one of them into a file server, for this I aim to upgrade the Hard Drive capacity of one of the machines to around 800 GB - 1TB using SCSI drives. I want to run a very simple Linux Prompt OS (no fancy interfaces). But Im also hoping to connect to the server from a windows machine, and be able to access any file on the server from any location. Im hoping that I can use this to store DVDs and other movies.

Question 1) What Linux distribution would be best for this?
Question 2) Is what I want possible?
Question 3) Any ideas what I can do with the second machine? Im thinking print server or something similar.

Answer 1

1) Arch or Debian. Arch is more up to date and Debian is stable but both more modern than CentOS IIRC



2) Yes. You'll need Samba configured for windows and ssh for linux



3) The second machine could be a test runner (eg: try out some git packages). You can use the first machine as a print server (via cups) although I've not tested it in practice. The second machine could be cannibalised for parts but I like the idea of a test machine lol

Answer 2

I like using Debian for home servers. It's stable and the repositories are well-stocked. It's also quite easy to configure in text mode. On the downside, I get the impression it's not the leanest OS you could use, so for speed, efficiency and security (lack of unnecessary features) you may prefer something a bit more cut-down by default.



What you want is certainly possible. Windows will need SMB for file access, so install Samba on the server.



Perhaps you could turn the second machine into a fancy router/firewall box (add a second NIC).

Answer 3

Novell has contract with Microsoft so open suse plays the best and easiest way with windows.

You can use it as music and video file server.

Fedora from Red Hat is just cutting edge technology - if you like the newest technology that works that is fedora.

Opensuse is almost next to fedora - new release every 6 months same as Fedora.

CentOS is enterprise class os - that is actually Red Hat Enterprise Linux stripped only of Red Hat logos and it is pretty arhaic - they relase new versaion every about 2 years and have 10 years support for them. It is good but limited - lot of newer programs won't work at all on CentOS - multimedia is just primitive and completely unsupported - VLC Player is blocked from working on CentOS etc.

Did you think about FreeBSD ?

That is just server OS mostly -Yahoo runs on FreeBSD.

Answer 4

of direction Linux is greater valuable than living house windows yet undergo in ideas Microsoft replaced into the 1st so as to communicate and human beings like myself have been stated interior the era thinking it replaced into the terrific element when you consider that sliced bread. We have been ALL fooled. What approximately Vista and the WOW ingredient that never worked. haha. Your terrific suited, living house windows isn't the terrific and not in any respect would be. Linux hasn't have been given the subject concerns that Microsoft has have been given. What approximately each and all the internet explorer browsers that never paintings top. the only reason living house windows remains getting used via maximum folk is the shown fact that living house windows has greater purposes than the different, or maybe a number of those do no longer paintings the terrific. i might desire to pass on and on approximately Microsoft and bill Gates yet i'm going to enable it pass at that. BTW, I even have used Linux and that i'm thinking of going lower back to it for solid. Eric.

Answer 5

If you want just file servers, look into FreeNAS.

It is linux based, and designed to act as a network file storage device.



Use the second box to make a Linux firewall/router. Higher end free packages even have web services, AV filters, and network control and monitoring - much more than a regular router:

http://distrowatch.com/search.php?category=Firewall&origin=All&basedon=All¬basedon=None&desktop=All&architecture=All&status=Active

Look at Zentyal as well, and ClearOS or Endian as possible firewalls.

Answer 6

1. CentOS would be good for a home server.

2. Yes.

3. Print server indeed, or web server for example.