Want to set up a server for Windows and Mac

macfanuk · 16 Feb 2011 at 00:40

I wondered if you guys could give me some advice please.

Having sold my NAS, I am looking at implementing a server into my network.

I am looking at buying either this, this or something similar.

What's the best way to go to ensure I can access the files on the server on both my mac and my pc?

I'd also be looking at adding features such as ftp server at some point but want to concentrate on the file sharing first.

EDIT: Would also be interested in the HP ProLiant MicroServer if I could find somewhere that has them in stock before 28th Feb!

bremen1874 · 16 Feb 2011 at 03:49

EDIT: Would also be interested in the HP ProLiant MicroServer if I could find somewhere that has them in stock before 28th Feb!

Google the part number (633724-421) and you'll have no trouble in finding one.

memyselfandi · 16 Feb 2011 at 07:31

You shouldn't have to do anything special. Both Windows and OSX talk cifs/smb so should be able to access files on normal network shares either via normal windows file sharing or Samba under Linux (depending on which OS you are aiming to use)

MikeHiow · 16 Feb 2011 at 10:58

I found SMB a pain in the arse on OSX.

I wrote an article on running AFP on Linux (Debian/Ubuntu) . Most of it should still be relevant, although I guess netatalk 2.0.5 may have worked it's way down into the stable branch by now - worth checking before messing around with pinning packages.

I run this along side Samba for Windows clients, and it works great.

memyselfandi · 16 Feb 2011 at 18:08

I've not had any issues at all accessing SMB shares with OSX with either Leopard or Snow Leopard ...

MikeHiow · 16 Feb 2011 at 18:31

Accessing is fine, performance is not.

It might be fine for streaming a movie every now and then, but it wasn't acceptable for me working on lots of small files at a time. I believe this issue is with Apple's implementation of SMB, as the issue is not present when using the same SMB shares from a windows machine.

memyselfandi · 16 Feb 2011 at 21:34

Well you're making a assumption on my usage of it there. Personally I've not had any performance issues when dealing with lots of small files either, but obviously ymmv (particularly with Samba versions and configurations used).

MikeHiow · 16 Feb 2011 at 22:47

I'd say it would depend far more on whether you are using anything that may highlight any performance issues. For example one of the applications I use will freeze until the save operation is complete - usually not a problem, and it's not a problem over AFP, but it is a large problem over SMB.

This is not an isolated case.