Simple server

[DataVampire]

Ok where to start this.

a while back i wanted to create a server at home. i looked at all the options got some advice from here and ran lol lituraly thinking omg this is going to be so hard.
Since then i have been using windows home server 2011.

i dont know what it is i just do not like it.


I woudl like to use windows server 2012 standard or windows server Datacenre. why on earth woudl i want to do that you might add ?

Simple answer is i got server 2012 for free i woudl like to use them and i jsut cannot afford to spend £300 on server 2012 essentials.


So the questions

Can you use windows 2012 or windows datacentre in the same way,

media streaming ?
embc ?
file sharing ie all of our photos music and videos

webhosting

Windows werver 2012 essentials would be idea as i has most of what i need is i t possible to add the the same or similar featueres to the othe r2 oses.

Or is there a linux alternative sharing files/media streaming ect.

Appologies for the babling im just curious

 

[paradigm]

You can do all of the above with the Standard or DataCenter editions of 2012.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Server_2012#Editions

 

[DataVampire]

After much deliberation i have installed with the help of th eebook of this very site, server 2012 essentials, after previously running windows home server 2011 i find essentials better so far.

a few questions though if i may

1) when users use the dashboard to accses files ie videos and mps files to listen to when they click on shared folders they can see a wealth of folders they realy do not need to see ie.

CertEnroll
File history backups
Sysvol
Company
Folder redirection

ect ect is there anyway to hide these folder, yes i knwo they cannot accses them but would be nice to hide them.

2) this time i was hoping i could combine a httpc as well as the server.

So the server is connected to our 60 inch plazma in the front room. and this is the bit where im nto sure if i have done this correctly.
to watch movies in the front room i have installed xbmc, is this ok is there a bette roption ?

3) specs of my server
Case

BitFenix Prodigy Mini-ITX Cube Case
BitFenix Prodigy Window Side Panel(not nessasary i know)

Motherboard
Gigabyte Z77N-WIFI Intel Z77*mini itx)

Cpu
Intel core i7 2600k

cooler
Corsair Hydro H80(running on its lowest setting)

Memory
Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit

Video card
Ati hd 450

Optical
LG CH10LS28 BD-ROM 10x BluRay ROM / DVDRW SATA-II Optical Drive

Drives
3tb internal (for music)

250gb

250gb

150gb usb 2 external (just for the server backup)

250gb usb 2 external for client backups only

3tb usb 3 for films
i connect the server to my 60 inch plazma via hdmi

is the above good enough to play full 1080i hd films on the tv via bluray disks and files, as well as stream music and films to arund 5 other pcs. and hopfully 2 xbox 360s and a androis tablet (nexsus 7)

The hds i wish to upgrade to perhaps 2 tb ones.

i have seen mention of using the cpus onboard hd 3000 graphics to stream to my tv, but im not usre baout that, then use the empty pcie slot to get iether a raid card or another sata card.

Im going to try and buy another 3tb external hd jsut to store the server backups and client backups.

A few htings the ebook left off i think would have been nice for home users.

What office package would i need to get so i could install it on my server and everyoen would have accses to it ?

Is it possible to set up on the server emails and a antivirus program so it sits on the server and could scan client computers ?

Is it possible to set up so each client machine gets its updates for the os ect from the server so i can guantee my kid supdate there machines ?


Thank you in advance for the help