I want to make a server for my home...

[alias301]

So I want to make a server for my home, it should be able to share files, backup files, would be nice if it was incremental and not full backup, access the files from the internet and if possible the computers, but with a username and password to protect it. Is able to add hard drives and external hard drives quickly and easily and be able to upgrade the processor or the RAM, ect. without voiding the warranty. Should have a way to change the server setting from a computer on the network and has user restrictions, like what they are allowed to access and change. Needs to be protected from others and needs to work with my wireless laptop, with Mac OS X 10.5 and Windows XP, Media Center and Vista.

So what I am wondering is:

1. What OS to use, is Windows Home Server the one or do I need something better?

2. What kind of computer should I get to use as the server, will a desktop work if I use external hard drives as extra storage, but will that hurt performance speeds?

3. What hardware do I need, what kind of processor, how many cores, what video card, etc.

4. Were should I buy it?

5. And anything else you can think of?

Also, I cant afford to get something to fancy, unless you know of a place that will help out a learning student.

Yes I do know it will be hard but I am up to it. :D

-Thanks in advance for any help

[Carla Schroder]

Well allrighty then! You have many options, depending on how interested you are in learning some new things. If all you need is good network backups, file sharing, and access controls, then I would say don't do a Windows server. They cost too much, and are too friendly to malware. OS X server is really nice, if you can afford it.

It sounds like two things will do the job for you: a good stout firewall with user-friendly access controls, and a nice LAN server for file sharing and backups.

The LAN server is easy and cheap, if you're open to a Linux or BSD-based server. I think one of the best and easiest to use, is FreeNAS. It is based on FreeBSD, works on puny x86 hardware, and should do everything you want. You could use some old PC, stick three hard drives in it, and do a RAID5 array the easy way with FreeNAS. You don't need a lot of RAM or a big CPU just for file sharing and backups.

m0n0wall is my first choice for a good stout user-friendly firewall. You can install it on an old PC, or be really slick and use a Soekris or PC Engines WRAP board. Look for used ones to save money, because you won't need a lot of horsepower just for a firewall.

[alias301]

First of all what hardware should I have and should I go with Mac OS X Server even if most of my computers are Windows?

[Carla Schroder]

Mac OSX server works fine for simple filesharing with Windows. And I already gave some hardware suggestions :)

[alias301]

Is Mac OS X Server easy enough to setup a way to access my files away from my network and if I decide to go that way what should I get? Mac Pro, XServe or something else and is there anyplace that has cheap student computer that are halfway decent?

[Carla Schroder]

Getting remote access to your home network is a firewall and routing issue, it doesn't have anything to do with your fileserver. As to your other questions, I don't know, but I bet a visit to the OS X Server web site would answer them. And check out the refurbished section of Apple's online store, you can get some good deals there.