Can use Linux as Network server with Windows?

errn12 · 03-13-2006, 11:01 PM

I am new to the Linux world and am interested in a very specific task. I need to set up a server that will be able to allow very specific file privileges and still be able to allow Windows computers (98-XP Pro) to connect to each other and intranet/internet resources. Can Linux do this, and if so, what is the best distro to handle this? Will any other software be required? Thanks for any help.
steven

PerfectReign · 03-13-2006, 11:15 PM

Well your best friend is Google.

However, to answer your question, yes. Linux excels at this task. You want to setup what is called a SAMBA server. This will allow your Windows workstations to connect to the file shares on the Linux box.

Google for linux networking samba.

Any distribution will do for you. I'd recommend either SuSE (www.opensuse.org) or Ubuntu (www.ubuntu.com) or Mandriva (www.mandriva.org) as a starting point.

Go for it!