Setup a home server

yamawho · 05-27-2008, 01:49 PM

I figured it is time to start a thread on this home server subject.
The purpose is to explore different ways, using linux, bsd or whatever is available to setup a home server.
I know Windows Home server is available but since there are outstanding issues yet unresolved, it would be nice to concentrate on other solutions in this thread.

This has been a working project for me and I am not an expert on this issue and I have not as yet succeeded in deploying one except for my FreeNAS file server shown here.
Build a network attached storage device
However, I know many of you are and I hope that some might jump in and lend a hand and answer questions or give advise.

I will start my posting a few links and lets see where this takes us ...

Simple Home File Server (Based On Ubuntu) | HowtoForge - Linux Howtos and Tutorials

Who needs Windows Home Server with Linux around?

How To Connect Your Linux Home Server to Your Windows-Based Network | eHow.com

Building a Home File Server | Linux Journal

How to build a low cost Linux Home Server - TechEnclave

Rick_EE · 05-27-2008, 04:05 PM

I have been using ClarkConnect - Server and Gateway - Linux Small Business Server SBS for a while now. We have a thread somewhere.

My main purpose is as a firewall/ content filter. However, it does include the samba module and you can set it up as a file and print server. I am not sure if it supports USB printers yet.

My wireless is on a hot lan, meaning a wireless device cannot see my windows network. The file sharing allows me to transfer files across the barrier.

I now have a spare 250Gb PATA drive available and plan on upgrading my CC box to that. CC also includes the bacula module which will run scheduled backups over the network. I should be able to back up all my data for a while on that.

*SRTDodge05* · 05-27-2008, 04:24 PM

If you want a little higher end setup for a server use server 2003. Im using server 2003 for my home server and it works great. I have it setup for file and printer sharing, vpn, ftp, website, media server and back up server. I also have it setup to monitor and record all phone calls. Currently i have 2TB in it and looking to upgrade that real soon.

yamawho · 05-27-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRTDodge05

If you want a little higher end setup for a server use server 2003. Im using server 2003 for my home server and it works great. I have it setup for file and printer sharing, vpn, ftp, website, media server and back up server. I also have it setup to monitor and record all phone calls. Currently i have 2TB in it and looking to upgrade that real soon.

I'm looking for something to do file and printer sharing and fax server.

MS server 2003 sounds like over kill for me.

*SRTDodge05* · 05-27-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yamawho

I'm looking for something to do file and printer sharing and fax server.

MS server 2003 sounds like over kill for me.

If you want windows based xp or even 2k will work just fine for that.

yamawho · 05-27-2008, 05:07 PM

I have been thinking of using XP Pro and just get it over with ...
I might just do that but I will continue to play around with other solutions.

XP would certainly make the printer server part alot easier since I would connect 4 printers to it.

What is the rule of thumb on the firewall settings for the server and the other systems ?
Do I enable all of them ?

*SRTDodge05* · 05-27-2008, 05:12 PM

If you have a router with atleast a sp1 firewall you'll be fine. The windows firewall does add a little more protection. The windows filewall blocks most traffice going out but not coming in.

yamawho · 05-27-2008, 05:17 PM

So I just enable the firewall on all systems and have file and printer sharing in the exceptions on all systems ?

Still to this day I have some systems that will only access the FreeNAS but will not accept traffic in or out from some other XP systems ... it's a mystery.

*SRTDodge05* · 05-27-2008, 05:54 PM

Weird things happen when using the windows firewall. My friend has a small office in his house for his business and with the windows firewall on his network traffic is at a crawl. When he turns the firewall off everything is real fast.

ephekt · 06-14-2008, 03:55 PM

Firewalling at the workstation level is idiotic. It should always be handled at your borders, with a dedicated box (appliance, BSD box etc).

Windows firewall is also extremely finicky and slow.

rosu · 07-14-2008, 06:40 PM

XP firewall is a joke!

If you really want something seriously use COMODO (free) ZoneAlarm or BlackIce (very good but not free).

JoeFrat · 07-14-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ephekt

Firewalling at the workstation level is idiotic. It should always be handled at your borders, with a dedicated box (appliance, BSD box etc).

Windows firewall is also extremely finicky and slow.

I agree 100%

sammy2066 · 07-15-2008, 12:37 AM

The reason why I did a clean install of Windows XP was so that I could dual-boot it with Windows Home Server. Is there a guide for doing this? Has someone here already done this?

sjkeegs · 07-16-2008, 01:12 AM

Why would you want to dual boot a box with a server OS on it?

arook1427 · 07-30-2008, 01:29 PM

Thanks for the information guys.

I just got an old desktop back from my cousin and plan on using it as a home server.

05-27-2008, 01:49 PM	#1
yamawho Linux user Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 4,067	Setup a home server I figured it is time to start a thread on this home server subject. The purpose is to explore different ways, using linux, bsd or whatever is available to setup a home server. I know Windows Home server is available but since there are outstanding issues yet unresolved, it would be nice to concentrate on other solutions in this thread. This has been a working project for me and I am not an expert on this issue and I have not as yet succeeded in deploying one except for my FreeNAS file server shown here. Build a network attached storage device However, I know many of you are and I hope that some might jump in and lend a hand and answer questions or give advise. I will start my posting a few links and lets see where this takes us ... Simple Home File Server (Based On Ubuntu) \| HowtoForge - Linux Howtos and Tutorials Who needs Windows Home Server with Linux around? How To Connect Your Linux Home Server to Your Windows-Based Network \| eHow.com Building a Home File Server \| Linux Journal How to build a low cost Linux Home Server - TechEnclave __________________ Last edited by yamawho : 05-28-2008 at 11:17 AM. Reason: Added links
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05-27-2008, 04:05 PM	#2
Rick_EE Stuck in Jita Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,017	Re: Setup a home server I have been using ClarkConnect - Server and Gateway - Linux Small Business Server SBS for a while now. We have a thread somewhere. My main purpose is as a firewall/ content filter. However, it does include the samba module and you can set it up as a file and print server. I am not sure if it supports USB printers yet. My wireless is on a hot lan, meaning a wireless device cannot see my windows network. The file sharing allows me to transfer files across the barrier. I now have a spare 250Gb PATA drive available and plan on upgrading my CC box to that. CC also includes the bacula module which will run scheduled backups over the network. I should be able to back up all my data for a while on that. __________________ "Your a looser"- internet phrase of the day.
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05-27-2008, 04:24 PM	#3
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,830	Re: Setup a home server If you want a little higher end setup for a server use server 2003. Im using server 2003 for my home server and it works great. I have it setup for file and printer sharing, vpn, ftp, website, media server and back up server. I also have it setup to monitor and record all phone calls. Currently i have 2TB in it and looking to upgrade that real soon. __________________
(Offline)

05-27-2008, 05:07 PM	#6
yamawho Linux user Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 4,067	Re: Setup a home server I have been thinking of using XP Pro and just get it over with ... I might just do that but I will continue to play around with other solutions. XP would certainly make the printer server part alot easier since I would connect 4 printers to it. What is the rule of thumb on the firewall settings for the server and the other systems ? Do I enable all of them ? __________________
(Offline)

05-27-2008, 05:12 PM	#7
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,830	Re: Setup a home server If you have a router with atleast a sp1 firewall you'll be fine. The windows firewall does add a little more protection. The windows filewall blocks most traffice going out but not coming in. __________________
(Offline)

05-27-2008, 05:17 PM	#8
yamawho Linux user Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 4,067	Re: Setup a home server So I just enable the firewall on all systems and have file and printer sharing in the exceptions on all systems ? Still to this day I have some systems that will only access the FreeNAS but will not accept traffic in or out from some other XP systems ... it's a mystery. __________________
(Offline)

05-27-2008, 05:54 PM	#9
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,830	Re: Setup a home server Weird things happen when using the windows firewall. My friend has a small office in his house for his business and with the windows firewall on his network traffic is at a crawl. When he turns the firewall off everything is real fast. __________________
(Offline)

06-14-2008, 03:55 PM	#10
ephekt Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 78	Re: Setup a home server Firewalling at the workstation level is idiotic. It should always be handled at your borders, with a dedicated box (appliance, BSD box etc). Windows firewall is also extremely finicky and slow.
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07-14-2008, 06:40 PM	#11
rosu Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1	Re: Setup a home server XP firewall is a joke! If you really want something seriously use COMODO (free) ZoneAlarm or BlackIce (very good but not free).
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07-15-2008, 12:37 AM	#13
sammy2066 ABX Public Relations Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: ABXZone.com Posts: 8,540	Re: Setup a home server The reason why I did a clean install of Windows XP was so that I could dual-boot it with Windows Home Server. Is there a guide for doing this? Has someone here already done this? __________________ That's what she said ....
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07-16-2008, 01:12 AM	#14
sjkeegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 113	Re: Setup a home server Why would you want to dual boot a box with a server OS on it? __________________ ASUS P4P800 Deluxe w/ 2.4c - 2x512 Corsair TwinX 3200LL Antec TruePower 480 - ATi Radeon 9600 Pro 128 2 x 80GB\|WD 7200RPM 8MB WD800JB - Lite on 16X XJ-HD166S/165H DVD
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07-30-2008, 01:29 PM	#15
arook1427 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2	Re: Setup a home server Thanks for the information guys. I just got an old desktop back from my cousin and plan on using it as a home server.
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