File serving or a file solution on a LAN

[Madafaka]

Hi!

I would like to know a solution for my LAN, i got a lot of multimedia files and need to share them all over the LAN, so i know i guess i can create some kind of file server ??? Is it a good solution ? Tons of gigas to run all over the LAN, what do i need to setup this file serving stuff? A server (pc hardware speaking) or just a average pc ? By the way, which PC (processor) may i need to this kind of file server???

Suggestions!

PS - by the way, i need a different Operating system? Windows Xp/2003/Linux what?
Thanks!

 

[DelJo63]

First, try to determine what kind of data volumn(megs read/written) you might
expect to be transmitted, avg/hr , avg/day. These numbers will show whether
you need a standalone server or might be able to share the data from an existing
system. The about of data stored (or shared) is a HD capacity issue, but the
read/write volumn adds workload to the processor and the network. The higher
this gets, the more you'll need a standalone server.

As to your choice of Server software; recommend you stay with what you know,
especially if the implementation date is critical. Let's just say you can take this
as an opportunity to learn Linux, or just a task to get done and move on.
(please, le'ts ignore the questions which OS is better, faster, easier).

Assuming you're on Windows, on the system to host the data,
go to the folder you wish your clients to see,
go to properties, right click
use the Sharing Tab and use he Network Sharing & Security portion to
enable access

For the clients, you document the Shared Folder Name and password,
and tell them to access
My Network Places,
Add a network place,
Choose another network location,
..enter the systemname\sharedfoldername
..eg:\\emac\SharedDocs

For a Linux server, you'll need to setup SAMBA
and the clients will access it just as if it were a Windows Srvr

 

[Nodsu]

A plain PC will do just fine unless we are talking about 20+ users and/or mission-critical data/access. The specific hardware will depend on how much load you will be putting on it. If we are talking about some 5 simultaneous connections (home use) then anything above a Pentium will do (32+ MB RAM).

You should definently have 100Mbit ethernet at the least unless speed is not that important. You can watch a DivX movie over a 10Mbit network just fine but copying big/a lot of files is slow