File server os/software recommendations?

[runeofearth]

Ok, I am running windows 7 on my primary workstation. I ran out of sata ports/room in my case.

So I bought a norco 4020. perc5, and a bunch of 2tb hds. i plan on running software raid 5, but i need:

OCE <-- must have as i will be slowly adding drives to fill the norco.
i need it to be accessible from my windows 7 box.

What are my options as far as software/os goes?

as far as networking, can i do it via my internet router? or do i need a separate router?

 

[bobdabilder]

I'm running ubuntu server on some older hardware of mine. it's slick.

 

[Dangman]

What are my options as far as software/os goes?

Probably the Linux distro of your choice + Linux MDADM software RAID.

as far as networking, can i do it via my internet router? or do i need a separate router?

If your interet modem/router combo device has a spare ethernet port, you can hook up the server to that.