Want to setup a home LAN file server, need advices/help

CyberGhost

Hey people!

I've decided to add a server into my LAN, I've never had a server before, I did search google and found some info, but just it case

basically what I want is to: have a box of about 2-3 250GB hdds, put it somewhere in the attic or another room and remote control it with my desktop from my room

I have the following system that I can "throw away" for a server:

XP2000+ (1667MHz)
1GB DDR266
Nvidia something something 32MB
Network card

and I have XP Pro running on it.

I've heard that there are many methods to run a server, like windows, or linux, or linux from a CDROM? which one of these is the most recommended?

but anyways,

I think I'll go with Windows xp,

I have found 3 programs that will allow me to remote control the pc, they are,
TightVNC
Radmin
pcAnywhere

and also there is xp's own "Remote Desktop"

which one of these should I go with? my main requirements are: security and cpu load(the little the better)

erm....I think that's about it? is there anything I left out? or maybe you have some advice or a tip on how to set it up better?

Thank You!

zoro

CyberGhost wrote:

...put it somewhere in the attic or another room and remote control it with my desktop from my room

...
XP2000+ (1667MHz)
1GB DDR266
Nvidia something something 32MB
Network card

and I have XP Pro running on it.

...
TightVNC
Radmin
pcAnywhere
and also there is xp's own "Remote Desktop"

which one of these should I go with? my main requirements are: security and cpu load(the little the better)

First things first - congratulations You're making the next big step into nerd-dom

Now - as this is such a massive jump, don't you think it's worth it to go the whole hog and join the Linux Bandwagon?
Seriously though - the machine you spec is very powerful for a simple file server, I have a P3 500 sitting here doing just what you want to do! Of course, your system will have absolutely no trouble with doing what you want it to, even in XP (which is a very "heavy" or "bloated" OS in comparison to others)

I'll stick with your choice for a few moments though.
As far as remote control goes - I've been using rAdmin for a very very long time now, and it's great. But VNC may be a better choice for you, as it's not actually classed as a "trojan" (some AV scanners pickup rAdmin as one!)
I've not used pcAnywhere so sorry but I can't comment on that one
And the XP remote control? Ignore it and throw away the key

As far as security goes, Start > Settings > Control Panel > Admin Tools > Services
Have a looky in there and have a field day disabling the services that you simply don't need. Depending on what software you have installed, that could mean _alot_ of them get thrown out.
I strongly recommend a clean install of windows on the pc, and paritition it well so that no shared data will be on the main system drive( C:\ drive)
The services couple tightly with CPU usage - as I said before you have a very powerful file server sitting there, but that doesn't mean that you can waste cpu on useless nicities that will never be seen! Disable ALL graphical enhancements in windows, change the theme from the default windows XP one to windows classic, disable the start menu "folding" out, put the screen saver onto "Blank" ... and so on
Remember, the box will be in the attic - it will have a network cable, and a powercable plugged into it, nothing else
You simply don't need any extra frills!

Think about your shares too - are you going to have one share that holds EVERYTHING (with sub folders of course - keep it organised ) or are you going to have multiple shares, with each one responsible for something different.
Think about your network setup - will it be wired or wireless (I always recommend wired for servers, wireless goes down sometimes, wired is always online). If it's wired, how will you get the cable into the attic? If it's wireless, do you have easy access to the box in case of network failure? Also - remember wireless-security-101, LOCKDOWN THE ACCESS POINT TO SPECIFIC MAC ADDRESSES

I'll do a new post for linux if you'd like to know more about it, but if you're intent on staying with windows for this then just say so and I'll see if I can help you any more!

Daniel

mp3guy

I use VNC for remote desktop use

snappieT

I use VNC also. Wireless in the attic, a P2 with some 300MB RAM. File Server, FTP, Apache, PHP, MySQL, Mail Server - the works.

And for the sake of easy sharing, go Linux, and just have Samba running. Windows sharing can be a bitch.

JackKelly

Not to go hijacking the thead, i was thinking of doing the same. What if i wanted to make all the things on the server availible to me online, from other PC's?

zod

waste of electricity

buy a usb2.0 hd and sell the pc

jozi

I have a server/internet gateway running here at home.
Ussing an os called Clarkconnect its easy to setup all you need is a hub/switch and 2 nic's.
It can do a whole host of other things like bandwith shaping, email client, firewall, printer server etc.
I use it as a internet gateway (dont know if you'd need that??) and file server, if i have to i can limit internet bandwith of the other pc's so i still have decent pings when playing on-line its all setup trough your internet browser with a gui

snappieT

TimAy wrote:

Not to go hijacking the thead, i was thinking of doing the same. What if i wanted to make all the things on the server availible to me online, from other PC's?

Just install Apache on it, and install No-IP DUC also.

Then, whenever you navigate any browser to http://timay.dyndns.com, you can get any page you have set, thus allowing you to download any of the files.

Or you could setup an FTP server, which can enforce a username/password restriction if you want, protecting your data.

Cabaal

zod wrote:

waste of electricity

buy a usb2.0 hd and sell the pc

Lovely idea except you still need a PC on 27/7 to actually act as the fileserver that will host all the USB hd's
:rolleyes:

Next time post something of use

snappieT wrote:

And for the sake of easy sharing, go Linux, and just have Samba running. Windows sharing can be a bitch.

I don't know about that, sharing out a drive/folder in Windows is extremely ez
Especially in XP

Capt'n Midnight

If you had extreme power saving and a wakeup on lan WOL network card then you could leave it on 24/7 and use very little power.

Don't forget that attics get very hot and may pass 30 degrees easily (home pc's) and maybe up to 40 degrees (rackmount equipment)

snappieT

Capt'n Midnight wrote:

If you had extreme power saving and a wakeup on lan WOL network card then you could leave it on 24/7 and use very little power.

Don't forget that attics get very hot and may pass 30 degrees easily (home pc's) and maybe up to 40 degrees (rackmount equipment)

Not if you rip off the felt, and have no case on the PC!

There are 2 fans: a 40mm one on an enormous heatsink, and an 80mm on the PSU, which blows out onto the hard drive. Everything is nice and cool!

CyberGhost

hey guys, first of all Thanks a lot for all your replies!

tried radmin, vnc and remote desktop, have to say remote desktop is the best of them, then it's vnc

zoro, I'll use cable, no problems about getting it up there attic is pretty cold but dry, plus I have like 4-5 fans in there

jozi, lol no no I don't want to go that far yet

snappieT, how os are you running of that computer? does anything run on it? lol

linux is out of the question, at least for now, hopefully later I'll move on to it.

well I think I got the idea and understood how should I do it...

Thanks again guys! zoro, you wrote so much it scared me at first

blorg

I've got a Shuttle acting as a media server and for TV recording. Using XP Pro with remote desktop, works very well.