Advise needed in building home storage solution.

[jdbnsn]

Hello all,

Here's the dealio. I have collected almost enough spare parts to build a second PC, all I need is a cheapo case, PSU, and low budget PCIe card and I've got another computer. I have lots of HDD's, with lots of storage on my main computer but I want to strip it down because I would like to take all of my movies, music, audiobooks, etc...off the main machine. So my plan was originally to build a home server of sorts, slap a couple of TB of drives on it and just use it as a media server. Problems include; I run Windows XP Media Center 2005 on my home comp and really don't use the media functions on the main comp so I thought I'd move it to the other, but I can't afford to go buy a copy of XP Pro. I have never used Linux and don't know how hard it would be to set this stuff up, and really cannot dedicate a huge amount of time doing so. I don't know if media center and linux will play together as my concept works. I am now not even sure if a server is what I need, since it will really just be acting as a media player or storage unit depending on which PC gets Windows Media Center.
So in a nutshell, that is where I am. Just wondering if any of you server pros could advise me?

Jon

[Luke122]

I can give you an XP home license if you want, but it might not be much help. Let me know if you want it. :)

[Luke122]

Also, check out FreeNAS.

[xRyokenx]

If you have a program that can do it, you could ghost your partition with Windows to another HDD. All that you'll have to do is reactivate XP. Note: That install of XP might not work exactly as it should with new hardware... just keep that in mind.

[jdbnsn]

That FreeNAS looks pretty cool, never heard of it. I glanced at the website and didn't see whether you needed windows installed or if it works as an OS of sorts. Have you used it before Luke?

[Luke122]

It's an OS and everything, and it's administrated through a web interface. I havent used it, but I've read some very positive reviews of it.

One guy installed it to a CF card using an IDE adaptor, to keep it completely seperate from his storage drives. I'd recommend that also, or just installing it on either a small separate drive, or on a small partition.

[xRyokenx]

on a small partition.

Definitely a good idea with any OS. I have Vista on its own partition so that if it crashes for any reason I don't lose anything that's valuable to me.

[jdbnsn]

thanks for the great tip, I think I'll try that!

[xRyokenx]

thanks for the great tip, I think I'll try that!

You're Welcome. It's saved my music, video, and art collections many times... oh, and game saves, lol. And you can put shortcuts for the My Documents stuff.

[OvRiDe]

If you don't like FreeNAS .. there is also one called OpenFiler that is pretty popular as well.

http://www.openfiler.com/

They are pretty close to the same, FreeNAS is backended in FreeBSD and OpenFiler uses linux.

I looked into using OpenFiler because of its capability to be Active Direcrory integrated, but honestly I think FreeNAS was much easier to navigate for your situation.

Just figured I would give you another option.

[OvRiDe]

For fun.. you here is what Luke was talking about...

IDE to CF adapter - 10.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822998002
1GB Compact Flash card - 7.15
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211189

so for around 20 bucks you can have a solid state boot disk. :D

[Luke122]

..just make sure that you disable caching/swap files on the CF card, or it's TOAST. CF cards have the limited rewrite capability that has been discussed in many previous topics. :)

[jdbnsn]

Actually, I found a computer in the trash which had a 1.7 GB drive in it, and I was planning on using that if it still works.

[xRyokenx]

I think I had XP on a 20GB drive and it used up about 4GB... it might be a little cramped on that 1.7GB, not to mention it might be a slower drive too (if taht matters).

[nevermind1534]

Yeah, I tried it on a 4GB drive, and it sucked. I don't think it would even let you install on drive that small.

[jdbnsn]

Well, if I use windows than I will put it on a larger drive. I meant that I could use the little drive if I used FreeNAS or a similar program.

[OvRiDe]

Yep... If you use FreeNAS.. 1.7GB will be more then enough.

[Drum Thumper]

Bit-Tech has a walkthrough for setting up a LAMP using Ubuntu 6.somethingorother. I haven't played around much with setting a LAMP up in Heron yet, but is was pretty easy in Ubuntu 7. The longest part was by far installing the OS.

PM me if you feel the urge for a bit more power than FreeNAS. I've got a actual NAS drive that I believe is using FreeNAS (or something very similar--a lot of the same features) as an "OS on a chip" solution.

Also, I'm kinda surprised that Rick hasn't chimed in here yet. He's the one who turned me onto making a LAMP.

Perhaps I'll attempt setting up Heron in LAMP mode and make a tutorial for here.

[jdbnsn]

Nice, you have a link to that?

[Luke122]

Isnt LAMP a web serving build? Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP?

[OvRiDe]

Isnt LAMP a web serving build? Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP?

That is correct. It is a home server, but not necessarily the kind of home server Jon is looking for. Now that doesn't mean you can't load up Samba on it and use it for network storage as well. I guess it all depends on what your looking to do.

[Drum Thumper]

That is correct. It is a home server, but not necessarily the kind of home server Jon is looking for. Now that doesn't mean you can't load up Samba on it and use it for network storage as well. I guess it all depends on what your looking to do.

Correct on both counts. It is a web server, but I use it as network storage. It takes up a bit more hard drive space, but the trade off is that it is much more robust.

Plus, it's a pretty good learning tool for baby steps in linux.

http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2007/06/05/build_your_own_server/1

Edit: Looks like they've updated the tutorial to Ubuntu 7.04. And added some extra stuff to it as well.

[SgtM]

Sorry it took me a while. Had a busy weekend, and the kids started school today. I'm so torn on what to recommend. Of course, I like the LAMP functions, but all you really want to do is build a machine and use simple file sharing. For ease of setup, I would recommend XP Pro with shared folders, then take your PC with Media Center on it, and map drives to your XP Pro machine. You said you don't have the money for a license.. well, I can help with that. No problem.

On the other hand, like Joe said, it's nice to have the functionality of a LAMP. Install samba like Curtis said, and you're all set. It all really comes down to how much time you want to put into it. Since you said that you aren't strong on the linux side, I would recommend windows unless you want to put some time into learning simple linux commands. The file system is a little strange to get used to at first, but after a few hours use, it's easy to find your way around.

[Bopher]

I got a hold of an older machine and just set it up by adding another hard drive and redid the Windows install. Went with XP Home and mapped the drives from both mine and the wife's computers. Future plans are going to switch to Ubuntu but I wanted to run something I was familiar with.

[Drum Thumper]

This month's issue of MaximumPC has an article on page 72 about setting up a FreeNAS box. Might be worth checking out down at B&N.

[OvRiDe]

http://revision3.com/systm/freenas/

Here is a Systm episode devoted to building a FreeNAS machine.

[jdbnsn]

I decided to give this a try:
Home PC re-formatted and replaced with WinXP Pro, Media Center 2005 loaded on the media box.

How does that drive mapping thing work?

[Bopher]

If you go into 'My Computer" under tools you see map network drive. You just have to make sure File and print sharing is on on the storage computer. Because mine was just to hold music and docs I shared the whole drive. Once you have map network drive open you can set a Drive letter and then browse for the network 'folder' that is the drive. Then select 'reconnect on 'login' so you don't have to do this each time you start up the computer and apply. Then you should be all set.

[jdbnsn]

Thanks B!

I have the second PC set up and am using my copy of Media Center on both PC's until I have obtained a copy of XP Pro (I cleared it with Microsoft, and they said it's fine so long as I don't abuse the situation). On the media box, I have everything setup and have mapped a drive from both PC's which now shows up as a network drive on the home PC in My Computer. My network was set up to allow file and print sharing but I still cannot copy a file to the network drive from the home PC. Any ideas why?

+rep to everyone who has helped me!

[Drum Thumper]

Thanks B!

I have the second PC set up and am using my copy of Media Center on both PC's until I have obtained a copy of XP Pro (I cleared it with Microsoft, and they said it's fine so long as I don't abuse the situation). On the media box, I have everything setup and have mapped a drive from both PC's which now shows up as a network drive on the home PC in My Computer. My network was set up to allow file and print sharing but I still cannot copy a file to the network drive from the home PC. Any ideas why?

+rep to everyone who has helped me!

Sounds like you need to click a box to allow other users to edit files on your server box.

Right click your drive that is being shared, and there's a box under the network name field that says "Allow other users to change my files". Be sure that is checked.

[Eclecticos]

I am having a similar problem with a Snap Server I recently acquired.
For some reason or another my computer is not seeing it on the network.
It assigns itself its own ip address.

So I attempted to access it with my browser as recommended in the manual.
http://ip and it doesn't connect.

So. .I reset the Snap to factory defaults hoping it will be recognized by windows in the network tab, but its not showing up.

I have both a router and hub, I tried hooking it up every which way.
At one point it recognized it on the router, but it disabled my local internet access.
I think i'm going to have to go over my local security policy, and edit the permissions.
Any ideas?

Ive already made the necessary modifications in the registry to configure the client computer to support NTLMv2. I also downloaded the Snap Assist software, it doesn't see it.

[jdbnsn]

Sounds like you need to click a box to allow other users to edit files on your server box.

Right click your drive that is being shared, and there's a box under the network name field that says "Allow other users to change my files". Be sure that is checked.

Right on the money! Thanks Joe! ++rep

[Drum Thumper]

Any time bud. If you ever wish to go the LAMP route, hit me up, I'll be more than happy to help. I'm guessing the same would go for Rick too.

[jdbnsn]

We'll see. I think this setup is going to work rather well though. I moved my ATI TV Wonder Elite card over to the media box with a 200GB and two 750GB drives, and a ATI Radeon 2600 Pro card. This way, if I can install media center extender on the Win XP Pro PC, the media box will function as a DVR, stereo, and storage device. I hope this all works the way I want it to, I've been wanting this setup for ages.

[Bopher]

The storage system I have will probably go that same route at some point. All I really need is a couple more Hard drives and a TV card and I think I'll be golden for that. Glad the mapping network drives worked for you. completely forgot about the allow other users box. sorry.

[SgtM]

Sounds like you're getting it sorted. Sweet. Oh, and I can't help myself..

:pics:

[jdbnsn]

:cgonfused: You want to see this mess? Okay, but you asked for it.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/misc/mess1.JPG

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/misc/mess2.JPG

I'm thinking about using that old wooden media center case I made eons ago instead of this Compac case, jury is still out on that decision.

[Drum Thumper]

OH MY EYES! lol

Interesting way you've got those hard drives arranged. That a custom rack?

[jdbnsn]

OH MY EYES! lol

Interesting way you've got those hard drives arranged. That a custom rack?


yeah, I had a small scrap of aluminum with pre-drilled holes so I used it to bracket the drives together for simplicity's sake.