File Server Linux?

[massahwahl]

Any recommendations for a distro of linux that it will be easy to setup as a file server? I want to be able to access it from anywhere and run all of my music files off of it. If you can provide a link that would be great as well, thanks!

 

[Cleric7x9]

you should make sure your ISP will allow you to host those kinds of applications before worrying about which distro to go with. you could spend days getting everything up and running only to find out access is limited to your LAN

 

[cybereclipse]

agree with the poster above me...
and for the distro... i would suggest ubuntu

 

[tlarkin]

good luck streaming music

as for setting up a file server, download Debian or ubuntu, then download an application called webmin. Then up samba and swat for windows file sharing, and then possibly set up FTP or what not and do the proper port forwards in your router. While, I don't have time to list out all the steps in detail I can point you on the right path.

Also, be aware that FTP sends username/password in plain text, I would suggested looking into SFTP instead.

 

[massahwahl]

So streaming music is not going to work or what? Also, Is it necessary to download extra programs on the windows computer? I was under the impression I could access the files via a web browser.

 

[massahwahl]

Would it be better to leave xp on the laptop to do this? Im calling my ISP right now

 

[tlarkin]

No it is possible, but your bandwidth may not be able to really stream it. I don't fuss with it and just use www.pandora.com and stream music from their site, or other internet radio

By the time it is all said and done, it may just be too much hassle for what its worth. Not to mention your ISP may not like the idea of you streaming anything so they may throttle you down. Unless you stream music through encryption, they would not know then. However, that is also just too much work really.

 

[massahwahl]

ISP says its fine to setup an SFTP server. They can sell me more upload bandwidth as well for pretty cheap.

 

[tlarkin]

ISP says its fine to setup an SFTP server. They can sell me more upload bandwidth as well for pretty cheap.

well there you go, now you just need to figure out how you are going to stream it. Winamp has a new remote option that will allow streaming over the interwebs.