A simple file server with Arch Linux?

GuiltySpark · 2008-12-13 18:44:23

Hello everyone.

I had a lucky day to day and was given an old Pentium III based server with 512MB of RAM. I want to set up a server for my house that can basically act as NAS (network attached storage) and stream files to other members of the family's machines. I also want to install rTorrent and be able to download multimedia on to the server. I also wish to be able to access the server from a Windows machine as I would prefer if the server could be headless (no monitor or keyboard/mouse) after the initial installation of ArchLinux.

Could someone explain how I might go about performing these tasks? I have never used Linux before (other than Ubuntu for web browsing). I am of course comfortable with installing the OS but not sure about how I would set it up like I want.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to reading your response.

pyther · 2008-12-13 19:08:33

You can use samba to share the files between the computers (this will work with Windows as well as Linux and Mac OS X).

As for rTorrent, you can install rTorrent and run it via ssh. However I would recommend deluge. There is a server daemon which you would run on the server. And then a client which you can run on a linux machine (there might even a be a windows version).

To use a headless server you need (well you don't need, but it is very helpful) to setup ssh. I am not sure what you mean by stream files to other members of the family's machines (share files)?

Also if you are not all that familiar with linux, be prepared to do some serious reading or maybe look at using something like ubuntu (but you will still have to read). Using arch would be a great way to learn linux more than what you have with ubuntu.

Dieter@be · 2008-12-13 20:25:21

What pyther said.
You might want to take a look at SWAT ( The Samba Web Administration Tool ) although personally I prefer to configure samba directly in smb.conf

A totally different solution would be to install something like freeNAS. 0 % knowlegde required, but much less flexible then a custom Arch install (and probably no torrent support)

sand_man · 2008-12-13 21:42:33

GuiltySpark: I have done exactly what you are planning to do. Except I have no windows machines on my network so I have NFS set up instead of SAMBA.
Since I use Windows at work, I can just ssh in using putty (to load play with rtorrent) and If I need to transfer files I use sftp or scp.

Yeah, I have nothing better to do at work lol

GuiltySpark · 2008-12-13 22:42:01

sand_man wrote:

GuiltySpark: I have done exactly what you are planning to do. Except I have no windows machines on my network so I have NFS set up instead of SAMBA.
Since I use Windows at work, I can just ssh in using putty (to load play with rtorrent) and If I need to transfer files I use sftp or scp.
Yeah, I have nothing better to do at work lol

What operating system are you running on your home server? Arch Linux? Also, what file sharing / transfer protocol does Windows use?

I understand what I want to do, I am just really uncertain about setting it al up.

mccord · 2008-12-13 23:53:13

if you're not doing it for the learning experience and you're not set on archlinux, maybe have a look at freenas
it is based on freebsd, it shouldn't be much work to set it up and the interface/webgui (based on m0n0wall) is quite good

Last edited by mccord (2008-12-13 23:54:54)

sand_man · 2008-12-13 23:59:44

Yes I am using Arch. I was thinking of moving to FreeBSD but all my data is on LVM2
Windows uses Samba. Personally, I don't like it and wouldn't use it unless I have to.
I think mccord has the idea. FreeNAS would be perfect for you I think.

GuiltySpark · 2008-12-14 00:40:38

Would I be able to use any kind of torrent client on my server if I used FreeNAS?

Arch Linux

#1 2008-12-13 18:44:23

A simple file server with Arch Linux?

#2 2008-12-13 19:08:33

Re: A simple file server with Arch Linux?

#3 2008-12-13 20:25:21

Re: A simple file server with Arch Linux?

#4 2008-12-13 21:42:33

Re: A simple file server with Arch Linux?

#5 2008-12-13 22:42:01

Re: A simple file server with Arch Linux?

#6 2008-12-13 23:53:13

Re: A simple file server with Arch Linux?

#7 2008-12-13 23:59:44

Re: A simple file server with Arch Linux?

#8 2008-12-14 00:40:38

Re: A simple file server with Arch Linux?

Board footer