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Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 for FileServer?

T

Time2Kill

[H]ard|Gawd
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Jul 10, 2005
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I have a RocketRaid 2340 with 6 500gb hard drives at the moment.

I was going to use Ubuntu as my OS for the fileserver because it had Samba built in, but I can not get the drivers for the Raid card to work. It comes with opensource drivers but I can not get them to compile under Ubuntu. I've been to Ubuntu support forums and this seems to be a common problem under Ubuntu with these drivers.

Anyways, I've decided to give up on Linux after playing around with it. I'd rather use something thats more familiar to what I'm used to using. So now my question is, should I go with Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 enterprise for my OS.

The only limitation with Windows XP that I know of is that it limits connections to 10 computers I believe, which I don't think will be an issue at the current time. I'm planning on using the fileserver to serve digital media throughout my home (DVDs, mp3 etc). Is there any benefit to using Windows Server 2003? I'm just using standard file sharing through my network with my router acting as the DHCP server and assigning static IP addresses as I need them.
 
Do you have access to a legit copy of enterprise? If so go for it. Supports more connections and you can do more with it later on.

Depending on how many machines you have around the house running server and moveing to an active directory where it backs up your profiles could be nice. With server the option is there if you want it.
 
I would go with windows 2003 server, however, if this box wont be running 24/7 or wont have much access... then XP will be fine too.
 
If you want to use Windows Media Connect (for streaming to xbox360, for example), you might be better off with XP. According to this post, 2k3 doesn't have the required UPnP support built in. Third party programs like TwonkyVision still work with it, though that particular one is not free. Something to consider.
 
Yea, I have access to legit a copy of Server.

The box will be running 24/7.
 
unhappy_mage said:
If you want to use Windows Media Connect (for streaming to xbox360, for example), you might be better off with XP. According to this post, 2k3 doesn't have the required UPnP support built in. Third party programs like TwonkyVision still work with it, though that particular one is not free. Something to consider.
Click to expand...


Windows Media Connect is worthless to me since it will not stream DVDs to the 360. So no plans on that. My biggest application for this will be running SageTV. But it is nice to know that the support isn't there so if I do run into problems later I know why.
 
Time2Kill said:
Windows Media Connect is worthless to me since it will not stream DVDs to the 360. So no plans on that. My biggest application for this will be running SageTV. But it is nice to know that the support isn't there so if I do run into problems later I know why.
Click to expand...

You should also check out GeexBox, looks like a fun experience.

http://www.geexbox.org/en/index.html
 
Time2Kill said:
Windows Media Connect is worthless to me since it will not stream DVDs to the 360. So no plans on that. My biggest application for this will be running SageTV. But it is nice to know that the support isn't there so if I do run into problems later I know why.
Click to expand...

If you rip your DVD media to mpeg files, you could play those with WMC. You'd lose the menus, but for most disks you're not missing much. Unless you really like the Interpol warnings and waiting 45 seconds for the movie to start :p
 
unhappy_mage said:
If you rip your DVD media to mpeg files, you could play those with WMC. You'd lose the menus, but for most disks you're not missing much. Unless you really like the Interpol warnings and waiting 45 seconds for the movie to start :p
Click to expand...

This is not always an option, I know that is a functionality I hated with the xbox 360. It's not always convenient to rip the DVD down, transfer it to your server, and then stream it to your box... sometimes you just want to toss it in and let er rip.

The point is pretty moot anyways as an X360 does have a DVD drive.
 
I normally don't stream anything to the 360 anyways, so I'm not concerned with that. I have a PC in every room that I would normally play the 360 in so I just use the PC whenever I have to display something on the TV.

My only other question, when I download drivers for Server, will standard XP drivers work, or do they need to be specific to Windows Server?
 
Time2Kill said:
I normally don't stream anything to the 360 anyways, so I'm not concerned with that. I have a PC in every room that I would normally play the 360 in so I just use the PC whenever I have to display something on the TV.

My only other question, when I download drivers for Server, will standard XP drivers work, or do they need to be specific to Windows Server?
Click to expand...

They need to be 2003 drivers. However, I've seen XP drivers work on some occasions.
 
Ockie said:
They need to be 2003 drivers. However, I've seen XP drivers work on some occasions.
Click to expand...

Depends. If the driver has an installer it needs to support 2003 or not check the os. If it is just a folder that you give windows the inf file for 2000/xp drivers should be fine.
 
swatbat said:
Depends. If the driver has an installer it needs to support 2003 or not check the os. If it is just a folder that you give windows the inf file for 2000/xp drivers should be fine.
Click to expand...

I've got the machine up and running already, and all my XP drivers installed just fine. :cool:
 
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