File Server - Linux? Yes or No.

[Big Trev]

A perspective from a long-time Windows user/admin, who has recently (last 12 months or so) started doing stuff in Linux. Definitely give Linux a go; if, like me, you need the comfort of a GUI, heaps of support and something that pretty much works straight out the box, Ubuntu is the go.

That said, once you're into it, learn your way around the shell.

When I decided to "give this Linux thing a go" initially (probably 2 years ago), my problem was that I didn't really have anything to build. You've got a project to work on, so that will make it easier and give you some more motivation.

[HyRax1]

Originally Posted by Big Trev

A perspective from a long-time Windows user/admin, who has recently (last 12 months or so) started doing stuff in Linux. Definitely give Linux a go; if, like me, you need the comfort of a GUI, heaps of support and something that pretty much works straight out the box, Ubuntu is the go.

For those who still need a GUI, consider installing Webmin until you're comfortable with the command line. It allows you to manage almost every facet of a Linux box (including server daemons and system-level stuff) from the comfort of a web browser.

Originally Posted by Big Trev

That said, once you're into it, learn your way around the shell.

Absolutely. Working with the command line is soooo much faster once you get used to it.

Originally Posted by Big Trev

When I decided to "give this Linux thing a go" initially (probably 2 years ago), my problem was that I didn't really have anything to build. You've got a project to work on, so that will make it easier and give you some more motivation.

And that is a KEY point. Some example simple projects people can embark on as a means of learning Linux:

• Setup a Samba file server serving to Windows PC's
• Setup an NFS file server serving to Linux PC's
• Setup an FTP file server serving the Internet
• Setup a motion detection server with a webcam
• Setup a blog via a web server

Some more complex projects (mostly in terms of time to setup rather than actual complexity):

• Setup a PXE boot server to boot diskless PC's via the network
• Setup an automatically updating Ubuntu mirror served by HTTP
• Setup a Torrent box with automatic startup & shutdown at peak/offpeak times
• Setup a UPnP media server (like MythTV)
• Setup an off-site backup file server using RSync that is updated on a schedule

You quickly learn that many projects under Linux are far, far easier to execute and manage than the exact same project under Windows.

[Khalil]

I use ubuntu for my file server but I have heard good things about Windows home server.

[hamishbindrinki]

it really depends how bothered you are to learn and implement linux, the linux implementation is better overall once its all setup and dandy it'll go forever, but my question to you is this.... you mention you've got vista on it at the moment with I assume file sharing enabled etc... what do you want it to do that it currently doesn't, or if that doesn't quite apply, what are you wanting it to do better.

[oli]

Originally Posted by HyRax1

• Setup a Samba file server serving to Windows PC's
• Setup an NFS file server serving to Linux PC's

Now now HyRax1, no need for silly suggestions! Setup a Samba server to serve to Linux PCs! NFS sucks!

[stmok]

Originally Posted by Mencus

I have a decent unused old computer

AMD 3800
2gb ddr2 ram
3x 320gb hard disk drives.

it has Vista on it now, and I am thinking of using it as a file server. I have very basic linux knowledge .... all other PC's in the house run on Vista.

Should I leave it as is? Or does someone have a convincing argument why I should try a different operating system?

If you need external motivation, then you don't need to do anything.

What do you want to do?
What plans do you have for this file server?
Do you need a file server?