Jesusfrk611
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I think I tried Samba a long time ago and it didn't work out somehow. Not positive I tried it, but I know I've heard of it before.
Building a Home Server
- Thread starter dude_56013
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Sometimes you have to fiddle about with it to get it to work properly - it does take a bit of configuring (at least if you do it by editing smb.conf.) Chances are you didn't get the settings quite right; when it's set up and working it works very well. 
I agree that linux is in many respects a better option, if you want to learn to use it...
if you want something that you can setup within an hour and something that all looks familiar, with the best driver support, then go with windows.
If you want to learn to use Linux or have limited hardware, then go with Linux. (or if you're already comfortable on Linux)
the only problems I see if the lack of driver support, and the fact that it's not as easy as windows, (I was going to say not as polished as windows, but I'm not sure that's a fair comparison)...
so far as linux not being as polished as windows I think that there is a good analogy to be made with wrestling.
real wrestlers are pretty much ugly lumps of meat, they have grunt and get the job done.
pretend wrestlers like you see on WWE are fake, they look pretty, but they just aren't as good at getting the job done, in a contest of raw power, they are probably going to loose.
[quoteThere's no reason it should be a very lengthy process - back in the days when Gentoo was the only sensible option then maybe. Now that we've got the likes of Ubuntu around, it really shouldn't be lengthy unless you run into lots of difficulties...[/quote]
I suppose it really rather depends on whether you want to learn Linux as a learning process, as a way to replace windows to have cheaper computing or as a career choice...
IMO, if you want to look at computers as a career, and are thinking about specialising in Linux then don't learn to rely on the pretty desktop, and the graphical tools, if you're supporting Linux in a professional environment a lot of that is going to be over text based SSH sessions.
At the end of the day, Linux is an option, and it is a good option, but how much you get out of it will depend on how much you put in...
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dude_56013
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Hello all who have helped so far (much appreciated! I'll try to remember to rep when I'm all done).
I'm installing XP right now, and am working on getting a legit copy of Sever 2008 through a pal here on CF. I'll try out XP, then try 2008 and see which I like better (or which seems to run quicker).
I'm just going to mess around and see if I can get file sharing and print sharing and all of that stuff working first, which I think I can accomplish.
Let me do a quick run down of what I want to accomplish ultimately:
Print sharing - We have 2 household printers. Upstairs and downstairs. The upstairs one can be plugged directly into the server. The one downstairs cannot. I'd like all computers using the server to be able to print to either. I'm assuming this won't be too difficult, so if I can't figure it out, I'll ask.
File sharing - I've got a 750GB SATA HDD in the server (along with the 40GB O/S HDD). I want all computers to have access (view/copy/control) to all the files on that HDD, but I don't want any of the computers to be able to share or view each others files. I'm assuming that won't be too difficult either.
FTP - I'm still not completely sure what this is (all I know is that you can transfer files to anywhere from the server with a login/password), and I have absolutely NO IDEA how to set it up. If someone could either explain it, or link me to a good guide, that'd be lovely!
I'm installing XP right now, and am working on getting a legit copy of Sever 2008 through a pal here on CF. I'll try out XP, then try 2008 and see which I like better (or which seems to run quicker).
I'm just going to mess around and see if I can get file sharing and print sharing and all of that stuff working first, which I think I can accomplish.
Let me do a quick run down of what I want to accomplish ultimately:
Print sharing - We have 2 household printers. Upstairs and downstairs. The upstairs one can be plugged directly into the server. The one downstairs cannot. I'd like all computers using the server to be able to print to either. I'm assuming this won't be too difficult, so if I can't figure it out, I'll ask.
File sharing - I've got a 750GB SATA HDD in the server (along with the 40GB O/S HDD). I want all computers to have access (view/copy/control) to all the files on that HDD, but I don't want any of the computers to be able to share or view each others files. I'm assuming that won't be too difficult either.
FTP - I'm still not completely sure what this is (all I know is that you can transfer files to anywhere from the server with a login/password), and I have absolutely NO IDEA how to set it up. If someone could either explain it, or link me to a good guide, that'd be lovely!
file/printer sharing should be easy to set up since it's built into the core of the OS.
for the computer that's going to be attached to the server this is easy.
install the printer on the server, then select to share the printer.
after this if you just navigate to \\server-name in windows you should see the printer in the file sharing, and you can just double click this to install the printer on the client PCs, then print jobs are sent to the server, the server spools them and then sends the job to the printer.
for the printer that's downstairs it's a little more difficult, you;re going to need to get a network print server,
http://www.google.com/products/cata...ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBwQ8wIwAg#ps-sellers
then you attach this to the printer and it creates a network interface for the printer, then you can install the printer on the server and share in the same way.
http://www.google.com/products/cata...ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBQQ8wIwAA#ps-sellers
there's another one that's just a print server, not a print server and a switch and wireless access point. -which should fit more nicely into your existing infrastructure.
for the computer that's going to be attached to the server this is easy.
install the printer on the server, then select to share the printer.
after this if you just navigate to \\server-name in windows you should see the printer in the file sharing, and you can just double click this to install the printer on the client PCs, then print jobs are sent to the server, the server spools them and then sends the job to the printer.
for the printer that's downstairs it's a little more difficult, you;re going to need to get a network print server,
http://www.google.com/products/cata...ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBwQ8wIwAg#ps-sellers
then you attach this to the printer and it creates a network interface for the printer, then you can install the printer on the server and share in the same way.
http://www.google.com/products/cata...ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBQQ8wIwAA#ps-sellers
there's another one that's just a print server, not a print server and a switch and wireless access point. -which should fit more nicely into your existing infrastructure.
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dude_56013
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Oh wait. Maybe I should have clarified. The printer downstairs IS hooked up to a PC that will be on the network...it's not a standalone. I'm assuming you recommend those because you thought the printer was standalone. I would like to avoid shelling any money out for this...since it's not too important anyways (it'd only be for the convenience of my laptop when I'm home and want to print something downstairs or whatnot...since my printer upstairs will get taken to college with me and will be gone 8 out of 12 months of the year).
Neodude1123201
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Once i get back home i'll make a full tutorial on how to properly setup an FTP Server
As far network sharing,that's easy! You just have to set the permission up properly. On all of the PC's on your network besides the server simply dont share any folders and then on the server,when you have created the directory to share allow 'everyone' to have full access (Read/Write/Modify).
Also i would like to get a cheap legit version of Server 2008,can you point me in the right direction.
As far network sharing,that's easy! You just have to set the permission up properly. On all of the PC's on your network besides the server simply dont share any folders and then on the server,when you have created the directory to share allow 'everyone' to have full access (Read/Write/Modify).
Also i would like to get a cheap legit version of Server 2008,can you point me in the right direction
.
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dude_56013
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Thanks Neo! If it's good (which, judging from what you've posted so far), I'll vote that it be made a sticky. I'm sure there's others out there who would like to know how to set it up, and others who could contribute as well.
I'll try to remember to PM you when I wake up about the Server 08 thing.
I'll try to remember to PM you when I wake up about the Server 08 thing.
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dude_56013
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Hey guys.
I got Server 2008 (32 bit enterprise ed.) installed.
I'd like to:
1) Setup FTP
2) Setup a VPN so I can use my home connection for some things when I'm at college. Half the time I can't even get Hulu on our connection at college.
But, 3) can my college monitor what goes on on my VPN? I'm just wondering. I would assume not, but I don't know a hill of beans about any of this. I'm going home for the weekend today after my last class, so I'll try and setup things then.
I got Server 2008 (32 bit enterprise ed.) installed.
I'd like to:
1) Setup FTP
2) Setup a VPN so I can use my home connection for some things when I'm at college. Half the time I can't even get Hulu on our connection at college.
But, 3) can my college monitor what goes on on my VPN? I'm just wondering. I would assume not, but I don't know a hill of beans about any of this. I'm going home for the weekend today after my last class, so I'll try and setup things then.
