Home File Server

[AiiR]

Okay for a little side project I've decided to convert my old old PC into a file server for backups and such (and for the hell of it).

The spec is pretty dire, it's a lowly 1.8GHz Celeron (Socket 478) with 512MB of DDR400 memory and a 40GB hard drive. My original plan was to upgrade the cpu to a 2.8GHz P4 which can be had for just under £30 and a SATA controller to fit a cheap 500GB hard drive. However this comes to around £50 and I'm wondering whether it would be a better idea to spend a little extra and get a cheap Athlon bundle. The only issue would be the memory, as prices are quite high on that, but I'm asking out of pure curiosity.

Thanks.

 

[Cycrow]

if you just want a basic server to store files and such on, u could install linux/bsd instead, the current system will be perfectly fine as a file server running linux

and will save you some money to spend on bigger storage.

my server is also running as a domain controller and primary dns for serveral domains, and its only running a Via 1.2ghz on FreeBSD

 

[WaccyBaccy]

that box will do you fine for a fileserver, but YES you would need some bigger drivage i ran a old G4 770mhz PowerPC for a server, and it was Beautifull. had 4 250gb IDE drives. and it was fine for backups and media streeming.

 

[AiiR]

Sweet, so basically install Linux on the 40GB drive and then use a 500GB SATA drive connected to a PCI controller card for storage?

My next question would then be, which edition of Linux and how to set it up to act as a file server? I have zilch experience with Linux based systems so it would be a but of a learning experience.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Cycrow]

well i would recommend FreeBSD, however as you have no experiance, then it might be best to go for a distro that does everything for you.

something like ubuntu could work, it usually has samba intergrated, then its just a matter of setting your shared folders so windows pcs can access them