Questions on my First Media Server

T

Tilde84

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 2, 2006
Messages
136
Alright, I want to make my first media server. Its going to be made from the parts in my gaming rig since I don't play many games anymore. It would be shared by other PC's in my house, but I'd also like it to be accessible outside of my network. I am a total newbie when it comes to servers but after doing some research I think my options are to go either with WHS or Linux (probably something like Ubuntu). I'll be storing movies, music and most importantly lots of school files and a library of dwg files.

Is it even possible to be able to access my server outside of my home network, what am I getting into if it is? Also is it better to use Windows or Linux for my server?

My hardware will be:
E6300
Gigabyte 965P-DS3
2 GB DDR2-800
my 4870 I will prolly sell and replace with a old x1950
2TB of space to start
 
You can access your server outside of your home network. In fact there are variety of ways to do so like sFTP, SSH, direct HTTP, etc. Pretty sure you can do so with WHS but I haven't tried it myself yet. As for which OS to use it depends on the following factors:
- Are you comfortable with the linux command line?
- Are you comfortable with the added complextity (compared to WHS) of Linux to setup a proper server?
- Are you willing to spend $100 for WHS?
- Do you want ease of use?

Probably a whole bunch of other factors I'm missing but the above should get you started on which OS you want to use. Do note that WHS has a 120 day trial and that Ubuntu Linux is free. So if you have the time and backup of your current data, I recommend trying both out. See which one fits your needs and wants better. See which one is easier for YOU to use. etc
 
Yes it is possible to access from the outside.
I use WHS, and it has a website already built for you to access your files and acts as a TS gateway so you can remoted desktop to all your computers over the internet.

Also you dont need a video card. My server has not monitor, if i need to access it i use remote desktop.


Really all depends on what you want.
What you are comfortable with.
How much money you want or are willing to spend.
 
nitrobass24 said:
Also you dont need a video card. My server has not monitor, if i need to access it i use remote desktop.
Click to expand...

Some motherboards with no onboard video do require a video card installed in order to boot correctly. His mobo does not come with onboard video.
 
I use WHS and Hamachi VPN to securely access my home server from anywhere. I also do nightly backup of a distant PC via VPN. Works great for me. When I am off the home LAN (meaning VPN'd in), access to files is naturally a bit slow (depending on file size)...limited by my WAN uplink speed, but it works if you have patience.

So yeah, WHS + Hamachi does everything I need for remote backups and file access. I could even remote desktop into the server if I had a reason to.
 
wow thanks for the info! I will try out both. One more question, what is the "landing zone" and what size drive or partition do I need for the OS?

Oh and what are the advantages of using a NIC card? What does that do?
 
Tilde84 said:
wow thanks for the info! I will try out both. One more question, what is the "landing zone" and what size drive or partition do I need for the OS?

Oh and what are the advantages of using a NIC card? What does that do?
Click to expand...

Hit up the stickied WHS FAQ:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1390750

As for the NIC AKA Network Interface Card, it's also known as the ethernet port or LAN port on motherboards. You know, the port where you connect the PC to a router/modem via ethernet cable. The DS3's onboard NIC should be sufficient for a WHS setup.
 
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