Hello all,

I need a file server and wondering what distro/version would be best for my needs.

I need a local file server.
Server will be on a gigabit network with D-link gigabit NIC.
Server is an IBM P3 - 1.0GHz with 128 MB ram, 300GB 16MB buffer IDE hard drive, CD-Rom etc.

The server will be handling no more than 15 Windows XP based computers. It will also be handling all 15 PC's mapped network drives, which acts as "My Documents" on these Windows XP based computers.

I had been using RH 7.3 as a web server (managed) and have some experience in RH9 as a file server before. I have some experience in setting up Samba and shares.

What would be best and simple for this task, with least resources because the server is not a high end machine.

Suggestions welcome and thanks in advance.

gen.

Since you're already familiar with Red Hat, why not just stick with it? If you want to try something different, Debian 3.1 is a good choice for a file server.

If you want Red Hat, but current, go for CentOS - it's red hat minus the red hats!

I run CentOS 4.3 on one of my boxes, and it's very nice - stable, clean, etc. - less baggage than FC

I thought you guys would say Fedora, since it's the same team as RH. I don't want RH because the support is no longer there. So, I had already started downloading FC. You guys think that'll do as well?

Fedora is made for desktop use, so it would probably be filled with more features than you need for a server and would thus use more resources.

Good point, but wouldn't I be able to select what I want installed during the installation?

Also, looking at CentOS. Should I get the ServerCD.iso or all 4 of them? Look at http://centos.arcticnetwork.ca/4.3/isos/i386/

I used the DVD for CentOS. I think the server CD omits the gui, so if you are happy with that, go for it. You can add any packages you want with yum later

I got it instslled, it's online too. But I have a problem. I can't even go to the computer from windows based machines. I can see it in the network but that's about all.

I have shares in samba setup. Have users created in samba and in linux with same password as the windows machine. I can't even get to where the shares are listed from windows.

What should I do?

When you sya you can't even go to the computer, do you mean with ssh or something? Can't you even ping it?

If the problem is only with shares, post your smb.conf

I can ping it and ssh it. I just can't share folders even with users and shares created. I'm not at the computer at the moment but I'll post the conf soon.

Thanks for the help guys. I got it working on Fedora with no problems.