Hello,

I am interested in building a server and data storage box from scratch. I am very new to Linux in general and only really had experience with Debian systems. Thing I am looking for in the OS and what I plan to do with it are as follows:

1. It will be the central information system between *nix systems in Windows.

2. Storage mainly of music and movies to play on all computers and consoles (360, PS3, Wii, etc).

3. Be able to act as a central router and able to set a limit of the amount of bandwidth that goes to each device connected to it.

4. virus and infectious file protection during activity instead of full system.

5. Have both CLI and GUI.

6. System specs would be for a x64 OS, ie. good amount of RAM and x64 CPU.

Is there a * nix server OS that would be able to handle all of these criteria?

Hello,

Have you looked into LinuxMCE yet? I think it'll come close to what you want/need. If you can get 90% of your requirements covered then the remaining 10% shouldn't be that hard to set up. The only OS that does exactly what you want and need is the one you build for yourself . So if you can get one that covers most of it, that'll save you a lot of time.

Kind regards,

Eric

Will definitely take a look at it! Thanks for the suggestion. Does any one else have a suggestion? I have read and heard that Slackware is a good server OS but I do not know what features are present in the OS.

Are there any tuts on altering a present OS to what I need it to do exactly?

All of them. Pick one. I'd start with one you're familiar with. Else, Debian Stable (currently 5, Lenny) or CentOS 5.4.

I am using Lenny currently and its not what I want in a central server rig.

Any Linux can do what you want. I suggest that you just download some liveCDs of several distros and see which one boats your float.