Install ubuntu as a file server?

Asked by Solexious

Hello,

Im looking to buy a old computer to run as file server for my home network. With my main server bogged down with running torrents and working my flats lighting etc and bursting with 3 terrabites allready I would love to use ubuntu on a file server box.

Can I install ubuntu for this task?

The server and all computers connected to the gigabite network are windows, so I need it to be able to be recognized by windows boxes.

Any help would be great.

p.s. can you recomend a minimum spec for prosessor and ram?

Thank you inadvance

Charles

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Alan
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Alan (mrintegrity) said :
#1

Yes you can, ubuntu comes with full support of Samba that is designed to
integrate with mixed networks.

I recon a pentium 3 with a good bit of ram should be ok. if you don't
have access to such powerful systems then other distros may be more
appropriate. I use gentoo on a Kurobox NAS with 266 MHz motorola CPU.
They now have a kurobox Pro which is much better and only $169:

http://www.revogear.com/

Alan

On Wed, 2007-10-03 at 19:35 +0000, Solex wrote:
> New question #14451 on Ubuntu:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/14451
>
> Hello,
>
> Im looking to buy a old computer to run as file server for my home network. With my main server bogged down with running torrents and working my flats lighting etc and bursting with 3 terrabites allready I would love to use ubuntu on a file server box.
>
> Can I install ubuntu for this task?
>
> The server and all computers connected to the gigabite network are windows, so I need it to be able to be recognized by windows boxes.
>
> Any help would be great.
>
> p.s. can you recomend a minimum spec for prosessor and ram?
>
> Thank you inadvance
>
> Charles
>

Revision history for this message
Solexious (charlesyarnold) said :
#2

Great, im looking at p4 with 1.4 - 2gz and a gig of ram, I take it this would be ok?

Is there a tutorial That would help me to get the file sharing up and running you could link me to?

Revision history for this message
Solexious (charlesyarnold) said :
#3

Also would the client or server version be better sutied to this?

Revision history for this message
Best Alan (mrintegrity) said :
#4

If you feel up to it then the server edition of ubuntu is perfectly suited to your needs but if you require the ease of use of the graphical user interface then the standard ubuntu CD is what you need, the specification you mention is ideal!

Here is a samba configuration tutorial:

https://help.ubuntu.com/7.04/server/C/configuring-samba.html

Note that this is the advanced setup using command line utilities. From the ubuntu desktop installation it is as simple as selecting "shared folders" from the System > Administration menu but this provides virtually zero control.

Alan

Revision history for this message
Solexious (charlesyarnold) said :
#5

Thank you very much, I'm looking forward to joining the ranks of ubuntu users!

Revision history for this message
Solexious (charlesyarnold) said :
#6

Thanks Alan Mc, that solved my question.