Linux Server on a USB Pen?

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I've got an Intel Atom machine with a 1TB Hard Drive and was planning on a Linux file server (Samba?). However, I was thinking that rather than use any of the 1TB drive for the OS, I was planning on install it onto a USB pen instead. I'd also like to be able to add a web server as well, perhaps LAMP would be the best approach? I presume Webmin can be used in conjunction?

The question is which linux would be best suited to running off a USB pen? I've download Ubuntu Desktop 8.10 and tried LiveCD which worked fine with all the hardware including the network (using wired). Not entirely sure the difference between Desktop and Server but opted for Desktop - worth switching?

Sorry for all the simple questions, I've not really used linux to much extent. Have used Mac OS X so not too afraid of getting my hands dirty in terminal ;)

Also, what is the best approach in remotely connected to a linux box from Windows? :)

Any help would be greatly appreciated :)
 
Cheers BillytheImpaler, really informative post :)

I've got 2 external 500Gb hard drives which I backup the 1Tb so I'll split it into 2x 499Gb (2Gb RAM :p) partitions using XFS which will make it easier to backup. The easiest way is to do the transfer is:
1) Sync the 1Tb to the 500Gb drives
2) Install Ubuntu and so forth
3) Format the 1Tb into 2/499/499 partitions (XFS for swap aswell? or ext3?)
4) Resync the 500Gb drives to the 499Gb partitions

I'm assuming this will retain the metadata for the files? The drives are in NTFS so will they be OK been read on a Linux machine (only more chance errors on writing?)
 
Welcome and cheers andrewdodd13 :) By metadata I meant the date when the file was created/modified and such. That sounds like it could work, assuming it keeps that data intact.

Ubuntu 8.10 seemed to mount the NTFS drive fine and read without the need to add any additional drivers, which seems ideal :) Webmin I'm really interested in and need to look up exactly what it has to offer. I'll have a look around for some tutorials then try and get started on the installation :cool:

Is there an alternative remote desktop that is GUI based out of interest? :)
 
Sorry for the lack of updates, snowed under with uni work :( Hopefully sometime over the weekend *touchwood* I'll have begun so testing on a spare box. A quick question, how stable is x64 under Linux and is it worth it? I've got an Intel Atom D945GCLF board with 2Gb RAM but I believe it supports 64bit so there could be benefits to be had? However, 32bit is normally a safer tried and test option...

Thanks for the additional help BillytheImpaler :) Well, the reasoning behind the partition is due to have 2 external 500Gb drives which ideally would map to internal 500Gb drives for a backup 1:1

Would this be the best approach? I'm also a little unsure on the backup side of things - how safe is NTFS under Linux? I'd like to keep the external drives under NTFS incase anything was to happen to the Linux box and it would allow recovery under Windows. Although after typing this, I'm thinking that it may be best to stick with the file system which would suit the external drives. I mean, there is support on Windows for ext3 so recovery would be possible that way?

Thanks again for help and support :)
 
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