What OS / apps for remote backup server?

[Gutspiller]

I am working on getting a remote backup server going. This server will sit at my location and it will be a backup to my 3 web servers. My host has said:

"You will need raid 5 or 10 setup. If you provide shell or ftp access, we can enable backup on all 3 servers to be transferred to your backup server."

I don't know about this type of stuff, can somebody tell me what are my options as far as an OS? What are the names of apps and utilities that I need to install to allow them "shell or ftp access"?

Any other utilities that might be useful for this would be beneficial to me as well.

I am most familiar with WindowsXP, but I don't know if that is even an option for this or what the downside to XP versus something else.

Please help!

 

[nitrobass24]

What OS are your servers running?
Also just my opinion but i wouldnt be giving out shell access to anyone..even my host over the internet.
Depending on the nature of the data you might want to consider setting up some sort of vpn to encrypt the transfers.

 

[Gutspiller]

My 3 web servers are running some form of Linux, but if you need more specifics I could hunt up my order or ask my host.

They already have root for all 3 servers as they are also my server management company, so I think shell access is basically the same thing right?

 

[nitrobass24]

Yea....well you could always setup like ubuntu server and use rsync...if your giving them shell access anyways I guess it doesnt matter.

 

[Gutspiller]

Yea....well you could always setup like ubuntu server and use rsync...if your giving them shell access anyways I guess it doesnt matter.

Well I guess my first question is, will Windows XP work? and if so, but it's not recommended, then why?

I ask because I am familiar with XP, and didn't want to have to learn a new OS just to get this remote backup working, but if you say ubuntu because it's more secure (I mean actually more secure), then I'm all for using it.

But I would feel a lot more comfortable using something Windows, even if it's Windows server or something, but I don't know how all that works and if it's possible with my servers being linux.

I do believe rsync has been talked about as something I should use, but is it the only app that I'll need other than the OS?

 

[Gutspiller]

Can I get some more recommendations? I'd really like to order my hardware for this server ASAP, but I really am waiting on finding out what OS I should get as people at [H] are telling I should find this out before they give me recommendations on hardware to use.

Suggestions?