File Server for Home

[Duane]

I'm looking to set up a new computer as a file server and bittorrent box separate from my gaming machine and laptop. I'm confident enough to build the thing but don't have very much networking experience.

Does anyone have a good networking guide for dummies or something to help me get everything working on the network? Also what are everyone's suggestions on operating systems? I don't have any Linux experience but Ubuntu seems like it's pretty user friendly.

 

[Yeagermeister]

I'm looking to set up a new computer as a file server and bittorrent box separate from my gaming machine and laptop. I'm confident enough to build the thing but don't have very much networking experience.

Does anyone have a good networking guide for dummies or something to help me get everything working on the network? Also what are everyone's suggestions on operating systems? I don't have any Linux experience but Ubuntu seems like it's pretty user friendly.

Call these guys http://www.geeksquad.com/

 

[the kid 05]

i've had a little bit of linux experience, its has been really easy.

http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3656211
http://www.home-network-help.com/

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

Call these guys http://www.geeksquad.com/

Blasphemer!

 

[Duane]

i've had a little bit of linux experience, its has been really easy.

http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3656211
http://www.home-network-help.com/

Thanks. Guess I'll go to the book store and see what I can find there as well.

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

Unfortunately I don't think there is going to be one handy guide that is going to teach you all the things you'll need to know. I've always found answers best when searching for specific knowledge.

The networking part, while it may seem daunting will be easy enough.

You'll be best off by getting a router for your network. It will make your life a lot easier.

Ubuntu is a great choice for the file server. It's a good multipurpose OS, and the price is right. If you were going for raw performance and already had some linux experience under your help, I'd recommend something like FreeBSD as the OS, but for sharing files over the network/bittorrent, you won't notice a performance difference with Ubuntu.

Feel free to PM me and I'll try to give you as much help as you'd like.

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

Thanks. Guess I'll go to the book store and see what I can find there as well.

Save the money. Your eyes will glaze over long before you come away with anything useful from reading a book. A good site like wikipedia will have a lot of the info you are looking for.

Start by researching the difference between a static and a dynamic IP address, and find out what network ports are all about. You don't need to be able to write a thesis on these, just understand their purpose and how they work.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Cloud Computing is near....

 

[hairic]

Going the Linux route is the best way, but not the easiest.

I just installed an FTP server (FileZilla) on the computer that stays on all day. It's running Windows and is only accessible from computers behind the firewall/router.

If you were to go the Linux route, you should go ahead and install a bunch of other servers just for the heck of it. Run your own house-based Wiki, IM service, etc.