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MotherMayI

MotherMayI

MotherMayI

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So, I have a couple of days free coming up and so have decided to do something I have meant to do for years - Setting up a small home server.

Basically, I don't have a clue what Im doing.. Which tbh is part of the reason I want to do it, for the challenge and learning experience. Either way though, I would appreciate some help from those of you who are more knowledgeable..

I've decided to go for a Linux/Open Source style route as opposed to Windows Home Server or anything, partially for the price (or lack of), but mainly because I want to learn more about Linux.

This is what I want the server to be able to do:
- Back up certain files/directories from my main Windows machine(s).
- Be able to store a large amount of data independently (as in, not backups) which I can access remotely from the network and internet and be able to upload/download/delete etc. as I need.
- Be able to remotely access and control the computer.
- Have some kind of web interface for all of the above, if possible.

So, basiclly what I'm looking for is some kind of ideas as to how to go about this..

Originally, I was going to install a linux distro (ubuntu, probably - As from what I hear it is easyish for beginners to pick up) and install the servers/software I needed as I went. However, then I noticed products like ClarkConnect which seems to do everything I want, and more.

What would be the best route for me to take? A pre-made package such as ClarkConnect, or any alternatives you could suggest, or try and piece it all together myself?
 
I would recommend looking at Ubuntu Server, or if you really wanna learn linux then go for Arch (but it will take more than couple of free days :p)

You can use SSH to cover remote administration and uploading/downloading files remotely over SFTP (part of SSH). Or if you must have a GUI for this go down the FreeNX or VNC route.

Storing/Accessing files from a windows box, i find the easiest way is either again SFTP, or setting up Samba, then you can just have a shared folder to drag and drop onto.

As for a web interface for stuff, have a look at Webmin, should cover a lot of what you need to do. I cant comment on clarkconnect as i haven't used it, but it does look quite nice.

Whatever OS you go for there are many guides and help on here :) for how to install & configure each of the above programs.
 
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Cheers, I will look in to that - I didnt realise Ubuntu had a separate server release.

I've also been looking at FreeNAS, which looks pretty good - Although doesnt support any BitTorrent client as yet from what I can make out.

Ill go have a look at Arch as well :up:
 
FreeNAS is a single use OS - it's a fileserver and no more, just like Endian/IpCop is a firewall and no more.

Go with Ubuntu Server (or Desktop if you really are just a beginner) use SSH for remote admin, Samba for file sharing and Webmin for a nice gui for managing it.

Samba also has its own web gui called SWAT, all of this will be installable via Synaptic or apt install managers.
 
Would it also be possible to have an Apache http server running in some form, to allow me to create my own kind of UI?

Ideally I would like a more gui approach to remote admin, but obviously I could make do with SSH if need be.. Would this not be easy/viable to do?

I've downloaded Ubuntu Server now (I am a beginner, but fancy a challenge - And to make the server as good as I can do).. So, it seems that most of you are suggesting to use that and then use separate, indervidual programs to set the box up to do what I want it to?
 
Just install webmin, that will take care of most of your needs, it's not in the Ubuntu repositories you have to download the deb package from the webmin website.

http://www.webmin.com/

Webmin will allow you to configure just about everything you're going to need and is fully GUI web based.

You will get nowhere with linux if you don't learn the command line though, once you can do everything through SSH then you're well onto your way to being fluent in linux.
 
Bit-Tech.net did a good two part introductory guide on building a Linux home server including Webmin, SSH and FluxTorrent. Look for "Build Your Own Server".
 
Check out ISPConfig as well. It's like webmin that enables a web interface for servers.

You can use Samba for creating shares that Windows clients can also access. As for backups you could probably use rsync in a cron job to sync files between clients and the server.

If you want to do any kind of music streaming from your server then check out gnump3d. :)
 
Thanks a lot for your help guys, I've read up a lot and its been really helpful - Much appreciated.

I tried getting started today, but turns out the box I was going to use is a lot more screwed than I originally believed. Hunting on EBay for a new one now.. I'm almost tempted to buy a new higher specced one and turn it into a media center come home server style thing..
 
BillytheImpaler said:
Do it! Check out MythTV and Mythbuntu for that purpose. It's fantastic. I use it on quite a few machines. Feel free to ask me any questions. :)
Click to expand...

I might well do.. I do have a few questions though.

How low specs could I run, and it still be very usable, no skipping on video etc? What specs in particular should I look for? Obviously my main requirement would for it to be dam quiet, but besides that im fairly lost.

Ill read up on it a bit now.
 
At the moment all I have in the way of an HD TV is now a fairly old Goodmans 32", native resolution of 1366x768, which is connected by S-Video.

So, that must be fairly low grade HD I guess? S-Video isn't capable of that res either I dont think, so i'd have to fix that somehow.
 
An AMD X2 3800+ or better would do the job handily. You'll want a gig of RAM and as much hard disk space as your heart desires. Leave at least 3 GiB for the OS and another 512 MiB for the swap partition.

Can you connect via VGA? That would probably be both the best and easiest method.
 
After considering my options, I think I'm going to build a server and THEN a media centre - Not combine the two. This is mainly due to sound considerations, as I would want the mediacenter/server in my bedroom if I made it, and I currently dont have the funds to make it silent + speced enough. So, I'm going to get myself an old 2nd hand server set it up etc. then wack it in the attic.

Should be a fun project, I still don't really know what Im doing.. So will be quite a lot of learning involved. I've also migrated to Xubuntu on my main desktop (didn't dual boot, as I knew I'd just instantly pussy out and go back to Vista/XP).. After a few (make that, a lot - took about 12 hours to get it all set up right) problems, I absolutely love it.

I love how minimal it is, and how I have made it so there is NOTHING running in the background, or anywhere, that I don't know about and need <3

Now to try out Fluxbox and make it even more minimal..
 
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