That NAS / file server I have been thinking about so long is finally under way (I settled for a second hand pc as the basics). Now, I need to pick the OS I want to use.
First off, I do not want RAID. I will simply mirror an internal drive to another internal drive (and use backup with a 3rd usb drive). The OS will sit on a separate IDE HDD.
The box will not only serve as a fileserver, but probably will also be used to access the Internet, run some photo sorting and editing software (flickr uploadr, Picasa), a video player (vlc is my favourite), a music player and perhaps sorting applications, and dvd archiving/conversion/ripping software. So you see, it will not be a dedicated machine. but almost.
Windows XP comes pre-installed, but I would really like to try another OS while I'm at it (even if in dual boot).
So, two questions that are probably easy to answer for someone who runs them:
- Can the Ubuntu server OS also be used to run the software I described?
- Can the Ubuntu non-server versions do the (probably simple) server tasks of backing up connected systems, mirroring, making files available through ftp...
The alternative is to use XP, but I am a bit worried that it won't be safe to run once the updates disappear. Plus I will need stuff like antivirus, firewall, ...
Any thoughts and experiences?
Many thanks for your insights!
First off, I do not want RAID. I will simply mirror an internal drive to another internal drive (and use backup with a 3rd usb drive). The OS will sit on a separate IDE HDD.
The box will not only serve as a fileserver, but probably will also be used to access the Internet, run some photo sorting and editing software (flickr uploadr, Picasa), a video player (vlc is my favourite), a music player and perhaps sorting applications, and dvd archiving/conversion/ripping software. So you see, it will not be a dedicated machine. but almost.
Windows XP comes pre-installed, but I would really like to try another OS while I'm at it (even if in dual boot).
So, two questions that are probably easy to answer for someone who runs them:
- Can the Ubuntu server OS also be used to run the software I described?
- Can the Ubuntu non-server versions do the (probably simple) server tasks of backing up connected systems, mirroring, making files available through ftp...
The alternative is to use XP, but I am a bit worried that it won't be safe to run once the updates disappear. Plus I will need stuff like antivirus, firewall, ...
Any thoughts and experiences?
Many thanks for your insights!
