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Are you going to host this blog on that server? Or is that just for playing around?
I hadn't considered hosting my blog. My upstream is too slow to do that I think. But I might look into getting a better connection as I'm sure I can get a fast enough one for less than $200 per month
@Micah
Yes, I'll contact Microsoft and ask for a review copy.
I always worry about doing something like that. As in, I won't be able to provide myself with enough security and guarantee of uptime as a professional hosting server would.
I then click back, then hit submit again, then I get the normal "This is duplicate content". Thought I'd let you know.
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it was happening yesterday to me too..
WordPress database error: [Table 'connecte_wrdp1.wp_post2cat' doesn't exist]
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And good luck for the free server software from Microsoft .
But I was suggesting Linux for the server which would be stable,.
Trying to submit to forum but got the same message as others above. Thn on re-submitting I get the duplicate message!
What am I doing wrong?
Ian
Don't know if this is the right forum but being new to the principles of file servers I wondered if I could post a few questions before I go ahead in building a home file server.
I have 2 desktops, one laptop & laser printer (with NIC) currently networked to a 10/100 ADSL network router (Linksys). The PCs all run Windows XP Pro.
To upgrade the network to Gigabit 1000kbps I just place an order for a new 8 port Gigabit switch & some replacement cables - CAT5 to CAT 6. All PCs' NICs are capable of being configured for full duplex Gigabit speeds. Once installed, hopefully I'm going to be impressed with lightning file transfer speeds.
Phase 2 is to research (that's what I'm currently doing) building a dedicated file server to enable central storage of large database & video edited files amongst others. The main purpose here is to be able to centrally administer the data, possibly go down the RAID mirroring route &/or centrally backup/archive files. Plus the fact that I simply want to do it as a project for fun - does that mean I'm a geek?!
Questions:
On the file server I'll be installing windows XP Pro (I know it's probably a little OTT but I have 1 unused license available so might as well use it). How will I gain access to the file server, ie. see the file server's OS on my desktop's monitor (unless I have to I'm not planning to connect a dedicated monitor, mouse & keyboard to the file server)? Is this done via some remote access function within XP? Or can I gain access via an IP address? Or what?
What things should I consider for backup processes, ie. RAID? Does XP's backup utility allow you to configure auto scheduled backups?
I appreciate a file server can be built from very basic PC parts & I do want to keep the cost down but I do very much like the idea of those server tower cases that have 4 x 3.5" external bays with slide out HDD facility & hinged door at front of the case - any recommendations on such cases available to order?
Finally, I'm very unclear as to what motherboard/chipset/CPU & RAM is suitable to build the file server to achieve best performance for file data transfer over a gigabit LAN??? As a non expert I wouldn't have thought that the hardware components of the file server need to be highly spec'd to achieve my goal but I'm concerned I may have missed something in my thinking. Any recommendation would be appreciated.
Re all of the above are my ideas on how to go about building a file server on track?
Any advice you can offer me in building a file server would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
Then I noticed there was a page 2! So now I'm a stupid geek! :(
I'm getting some comment errors since I upgraded to WP 2.3 I don't know how to fix.
I think installing XP is OTT and NasLite will do the job you need. You don't need a powerful PC - anything old PC should be sufficient. You will only need a better CPU if you are doing multiple things at a time.
The reason I was thinking of installing XP is I don't have to buy another OS plus I'm quite nervous about using any other OS as I've only ever used Windows & am not familiar with Linux, NasLite or any other alternatives.
Is NasLite freeware?
Although I waffled on a bit in my 1st posting my main current issue is wrapping my head round how I access (see) the file server's OS in order to be able to control/administer the HDDs on the server, ie. defrag, backups, etc. Can you or anyone help me visualise how this works.
Cheers
ps. I'm familiar with XP's remote access over the net - quite often remotely log onto the father-in-laws PC to get him out of a jam, yeah, he's even thicker than me! :) Do you use the same process to gain access to the file server's OS or is there a better way, ie. via an IP address? Or am I completely muddled in my thinking on this subject?
I simply want to gain acces to the file server's OS as an administrator for carrying out all the usual HDD management tasks from within my home LAN. Actually, by co-incidence, the file server will be sat right next to my own desktop PC.
Of course I need security on the LAN but only for protection from the net as my ADSL router will be connected to the LAN. I don't need any user security on the LAN in the home as it's only me & the dear wife that will be connected to the LAN.
Is VPN still the best route for me to RAS & can anyone give me a brief summary as how you go about setting it up. If not VPN then what other simpler but effective ways are there to manage the file server?
Thanks again guys.
Having researched OSs suitable for file servers NasLite 2 USB seems to fit the bill well so I might well gone down this route rather than the more resource hungry XP Pro.
Is the VNC Server appliction only for Windows OSs or will this work alongside Naslite? The same question for Telnet.
Just to confirm (I'm a little slow), both VNC & Telnet will let me remotely see the file server's OS from my desktop's monitor - yeah?
Thanks for your input, I think I'm slowly getting there!
Cheers
Yes-that's how I manage my installation.
So you run Naslite & utilise the telnet protocol for RAS - yeah?
Is it difficult to set up?
Doddle to setup. Just read the manual and download a client like Putty
So I can run Naslite (installed on the file server) as the OS which has built in file management facilities. I can run a remote session using puTTY which will enable me to see (GUI window) & control Naslite installed on the server - yeah?
I've downloaded puTTY. I've opened the application & had a go (to test) at starting a remote session to access another PC on my LAN but receive a connection refuse message. This is where I've got stuck - remember I'm no where near as advanced as you guys!
I presume the remote session initiation is maybe being blocked by a firewall. If so, I'm note sure whether it's my Linksys router blocking the session or whether it's my software firewall (not windows but Norton Antivirus which has built in firewall). I've tried all the different protocols available (raw/telnet/rlogin/ssh) but all get refused. puTTY defaults to port 22.
Not very familiar with ports & their numbers or how to go about changing firewall settings so not to block my remote session initiations??? Also, does the remote PC have to be configured to give permission to be accessed & if so, what settings do I have to change on that PC?
Any help would be very much appreiated - it's great having a couple of mentors!
Cheers
I haven't yet built the file server so I was just testing puTTY from my PC to one of the wife's PCs, both running XP Pro. Presumably, therefore I need to configure the wife's PC for telnet - how do I do that?
Even when that's done, am I likely to run into firewall issues?
At this rate I'll be monopolising a new page 3 as well as page 2 on this thread! :)
Did tell you I'm a novice (hopefully, quick learning one!)
By the way, I notice a lot of your replies are in the middle of the night, so presumably, you're either the otherside of the planet to the UK, you're a long suffering night shift worker or you're like me, a long suffering insomniac! Which is it?
I'm one of those users who's takes his mouse to bed - I hate keyboard commands!
Putty is for telnet which is basically for a Unix based OS. For windows you might better try Remote Desktop which comes as default in XP pro. Putty give you only keyboard interface, so you will need to take your keyboard as well to you bed until you configure your file server. And Naslite doesnt seem to have a GUI interface. Might be a ftp server if should help you, but I am not sure if ftp is supported in NASLite.
I am from India (+5:30 Zone)
Thanks for your response, my head is beginning (I think) to grasp the basics.
I'm familiar with Windows Remote Access facility but on this occasion I was trying to emulate a remote session to see what appears on the client monitor, ie. I was expecting to see the XP OS on the host PC but I can't get past puTTY's connection error message.
From what you say it looks as though testing a connection between 2 XP PCs is no good using puTTY.
Befor I go ahead & purchase Naslite can you confirm or otherwise whether Naslite has a GUI interface & that puTTY will allow me to see it (the GUI). Or do they both only utilise CLI?
If the answer is CLI then have you any recommendation on the best method of remotely accessing (only across my LAN) the file server where I get to see a GUI so I can use my favourite pet mouse. I appreciate I could use XP on the file server but presumably I would need a reasonable spec'd server as XP is a little resource hungary.
I wish my Hindi was as good as your English!
It's nearly lunchtime here & I've got a sudden craving for Takka Dhall, Sag Peneer, Chicken Madras & a Stuffed Paratha, not forgetting the Keema Rice :)
Meanwhile, I am not sure if we have GUI for NASlite as it is meant to be lite. May be you need to check if NASLite allows you a web interface for file access.
Ah, you know a lot about my location. And I am here in Chennai (city). I hope you are somewhere here around. :)
Anyway, back to my sharp learning curve - never thought the answer was in the Naslite title "lite". I'm now going back to my original thought of installing the spare licensed copy of XP on the file server (when I've built it) & gaining remote access by either XP's own remote access facility or running VNC. I'll just have to make sure that the file server's spec is up to handling XP Pro.
@Evereton - I'm sorry if I've taken over this thread with all my questions but you guys have been most helpful in raising my understanding of the issues involved in remote access for LANs
@ both of you - one final (I hope) question if I may - have you guys got any suggestions as to the bare minum spec of hardware for a file server running XP Pro that won't frustrate the user (me) on waiting times. Don't want to shell out loads of money on components that aren't neccessary. What CPU/RAM do you think is the bare minimum?
I wasn't complaining-leave as many comments as you like!!!
In terms of spec you just need something that can run XP comfortably. But I would seriously consider setting up a NAS server as the spec is much lower and managing the server remotely is much easier e.g. no hassles with creating directories, moving files, access permissions etc
And I think you can map the drive into your xp machines, that will show as another drive in xp machine. This is what we do with our linux server here.
Pleased to hear that you feel I haven't taken over this thread - thanx for that.
Not sure what you mean in your reply. I am setting up a NAS server, it's my file server. Were you referring to Naslite & other CLI OSs?
The bottom line is, I'm insistent (I'm a middle aged guy stuck in his ways!) that the file server's OS has a GUI as I'm not happy with using CLI. Is there any non hungry resource GUI OS designed for file administration out there or is my only option XP?
@ Smackall
Just read your response - mapping the remote drives on the client machine , now that's an interesting one - when they're mapped will I be able to execute my system management program (System Suite) to maintain/defrag, etc. the mapped network drives?
At the moment System Suite only recognises local drives, does mapping con the system in thinking the remote drives are local? If so, this may well be my answer as I wouldn't have much need to remote access the file server.
So mapping really just let's you copy/paste/save files onto what looks like virtual drives - yeah?
yes, it just maps as a virtual drive.
Think I now understand why when I google I never see many results re disk management over a LAN as it looks to me that many non Windows OSs don't have the same issues (like defragging) as Windows does. The reason defragging was an important issue for me is I do a lot of large file size video rendering which needs a well defragged drive.
I think to wind this up, if I've understood everything OK, then if I opt to go the Naslite route then I'll have to get used to CLI but it would have the benefit of utilising an old Pentium 2 PC as it's not resource hungry. Or I opt to go for the heavy weight XP with a GUI that I'm very familiar with but will probably need to upgrade to a better spec'd motherboard/CPU with more RAM.
I'm very grateful for all your input (& Everton), I've learned a lot about LANs & NAS over the past few days.
Not sure whether you celebrate Xmas but if you do, have a good one!
Grateful Ian :)
Can you explain this & do you believe I'll be pretty well protected having net access via my firewall protected Linksy ASDL router & Norton installed on the file server's OS disk?
Hardware firewalls are better in some cases as they are hard to hack in. But software firewall often gets hacked as the environment they work can be easily changed.
An XP machine well updated with latest updated, and with Norton Antivirus updated daily should work good
I know everyone's tried hard to convert me to the likes of Naslite but I think I'll be going down the XP route for the server - I'm a lot more familiar & confident handling XP & remote access.
By the way, my Gigabit Lan stuff arrived yesterday. Installation was a breeze & now PCs are communicating on the LAN at 1000 Gigabit utilising the new switch & CAT 6 cables. Did a few data transfer tests between PCs & looks as though file transfer speeds are roughly double to that of my previous 100 fast ethernet - would you say this is about right or do you suggest any tweaks for further speed improvement?