What OS for a home server (media/file)

[GeX]

Hi all.

I'm over hauling my setup at home, and have purchased an HP Proliant Microserver (AMD Neo 1.3ghz, 1gb, GbE).

I have 4 1TB (SpinPoint F1s) to go in it, and intend to use the servers internal USB port for hold a flashdrive with the boot OS on it.

Before doing the final configuration I may replace the 1TB drives with 2TB drives. I would like a software RAID5 solution (the hardware controller does not support RAID5).

The server will run 24/7 so power useage is a factor I'd like to consider - shutting down disks that are not needed, removing services that I am not going to use etc.

It will be connected to the net via a GbE switch and an FTTC connection (33down/8up). From the GbE switch is a powerline link to the HTPC.

I want the server to do the following;

1. Serve files to the HTPC
2. SMB support for backing up files from Win7 Laptops
3. Upload backups to offsite FTP server
4. DNLA support to stream directly to TV
5. Remote access to media, to include resampling to suit client
6. Ability to run a torrent client with webUI (uTorrent)

Licence wise, I have a spare Win7 x64 Pro and that is it. I have limited Linux experience but do have a laptop running ubuntu and am not an idiot (I'm a software developer) so am looking forward to learning what (if any) Linux distros would suit.

What would you put on this setup, and why?

Thanks in advance.

 

[GeX]

I don't at all expect anything to do exactly what I want out of the box - but don't want to get setup with an OS only to discover it can't do one of things I want even after being messed around with.

Can you suggest what would need to be done to a 'standard' Debian install to allow it to do the extra things that I'm looking for?