Ubuntu media/file server advice.

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Techrat

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I'm planning to set up an old PC as a media/file server, and another as an HTPC type thing.

I want to use Ubuntu as it's the only Linux distro I'm somewhat familiar with, I want to run Amanda on it to backup files from about 4 Windows PCs on the network, store audio and video for "streaming" to the other PCs, as well as just general files that need to be accessed by all PCs.

I want it headless and out of the way, so I need some way to fiddle with it over the LAN, was thinking of Webmin, but I don't know anything about it or whether there is something better? Also I realise as a server it doesn't need a GUI really, but I'm not that skilled in Linux that I can really do without it at this point, can I temporarily disable the GUI once it's up and running, and re-enable it later if need be?

I'm not really sure what kind of hardware specs I should be looking at minimum for the file server? I have a Duron 800MHz or Sempron 1800Mhz, would the Duron cut it? How much memory do you think I will need?

Is running an actual streaming server type thing on the server going to make performance any better for the clients than just accessing the files through a network share? (I think just a share would be okay for me.)

The media "player" PC will be a P4 based system running XBMC.

If anyone has any tips, advice or ideas regarding the hardware or alternative/better software I'm all ears, so long as it doesn't involve buying anything.
 
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hostinghelp

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Sounds like a fun project. IMO:
Those CPUs should be fine, the only issue I would have is for something like this I want the box hidden and those older CPUs ran hot.

There is a media centre flavor of Ubuntu, which I would point to if my international connection hadn't just died! Never tested it myself though.

Linux can easily be booted without GUI, the GUI can also be started and stopped without services being affected.

Stream VS File Share - Only stream if your server is originating the content, so if it is tuned into an internet TV, Radio channel or has a TV card. Otherwise just do file share, simpler, and tiny CPU demand.
 
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Boomstomp

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Have a look at Amahi (www.amahi.com), I'm currently setting up an Amahi server. Its a frontend for Fedora (they working on an Ubuntu based one too). Does everything you listed above that you wanted.

Its designed specifically to turn your pc (old or new) into a headless server with streaming (network and to Xbox etc), backups and a few other capabilities out of the box.

Wiki and support is great so far!
 
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T

Techrat

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hostinghelp said:
Sounds like a fun project. IMO:
Those CPUs should be fine, the only issue I would have is for something like this I want the box hidden and those older CPUs ran hot.

There is a media centre flavor of Ubuntu, which I would point to if my international connection hadn't just died! Never tested it myself though.

Linux can easily be booted without GUI, the GUI can also be started and stopped without services being affected.

Stream VS File Share - Only stream if your server is originating the content, so if it is tuned into an internet TV, Radio channel or has a TV card. Otherwise just do file share, simpler, and tiny CPU demand.
Click to expand...

Those CPUs don't seem very hot to me, I actually thought they were quite cool, I've also got an XP 2100+ and that is damn hot.

Do you mean Mythbuntu (based on MythTV)? I have tried that, works fine but I'm not looking for any PVR type stuff atm, which seems a big part of it.

Will stopping the GUI free up much in the way of resources?

@Boomstomp, I came across Amahi too, was steering clear of it for now though, I might try dual boot with it or something and try it out after your recommendation though.
 
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Boomstomp

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I honestly dont know how it runs if you disable the DHCP functions and stuff...

I'm using it as the HDA they are aiming for. Actually works better than I expected it too :D

I'm using and old AMD 2600+... Fried bacon any1?
 
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wezhira

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did you manage to get it right i also wanna build a media server using ubuntu trying to find the right application
 
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Techrat

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I haven't really started yet.

I'm just going to install Ubuntu normally and add a few programs to do what I need. I'll use rsync for my backups I think, Amanda is much more advanced than I first realised. I'll look into more advanced stuff later maybe.

I'm not sure about rsync, maybe someone can give me an easier better solution.

I want to have backups of specific folders over the LAN run on a schedule or when files are modified/added maybe, if that's possible. From Windows and maybe a Linux machine as well.
 
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hawker

hawker

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Techrat said:
I haven't really started yet.

I'm just going to install Ubuntu normally and add a few programs to do what I need. I'll use rsync for my backups I think, Amanda is much more advanced than I first realised. I'll look into more advanced stuff later maybe.

I'm not sure about rsync, maybe someone can give me an easier better solution.

I want to have backups of specific folders over the LAN run on a schedule or when files are modified/added maybe, if that's possible. From Windows and maybe a Linux machine as well.
Click to expand...

You could use grysnc (it adds a GUI to rysnc) else you could just add rsync as a cron job to run at specific times/intervals. If a folder gets modified rsync will pick it up the next time the cron job runs.
 
T

Techrat

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I'm going to use either BackupPC or just rysnc with cron as you suggested.

@w1z4rd, a bit more info please, how easy to use is ClearoS etc? Does it do what I'm planning more or less out of the box? Is it Linux based?
 
w1z4rd

w1z4rd

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Techrat said:
I'm going to use either BackupPC or just rysnc with cron as you suggested.

@w1z4rd, a bit more info please, how easy to use is ClearoS etc? Does it do what I'm planning more or less out of the box? Is it Linux based?
Click to expand...

Easier to install than XP. Yes it does. Yes it is. Its also got a sleek orsm web interface to manage it from. You will want to set it up as a standalone server. No need to know linux, just the very basics of networking. Like if you want to setup file and printer sharing.. you need to know how to tick the little check box and fill in workgroup information and that kind of stuff.
 
w1z4rd

w1z4rd

Karmic Sangoma
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Techrat said:
Okay seems easy enough then, the download page, http://www.clearfoundation.com/Software/downloads, has .isos for ClearOS Enterprise 5.1 Service Pack 1 and ClearOS Enterprise 5.1, is the Service pack a seperate thing I'll need in addition or is that just an updated version of the full thing?

What should I download?
Click to expand...

With SP1 should be fine : http://www.clearfoundation.com/component/option,com_ionfiles/fileid,106/func,download/

Sorry about the slow delay, I only remembered to look at this thread now. If I dont reply just send me a PM and when I have a moment I will reply.
 
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