Linux File Server

[delta013]

Hello everyone.

I have an old Pentium II computer that I would like to turn into a file server with IDE RAID 1 for storing and backing up files from other computers on my network. I would like to us Linux for the OS, but I am not very familiar with Linux so I would like to know which distribution is best suited for me needs, preferably I would like something free, however I would be willing to pay if it’s the only way I can get the features I need.

Features I would like:
-Remote access over the Internet through encrypted VPN.
-Can be accessed by both Windows and Linux computers over LAN and Internet
-Firewall
-Virus protection (Or do I need this? Are there any Linux viruses?)
-I would also like to be able to regulate access to specific files and folders depending on passwords.
-Maybe encryption software (blowfish?), but not a must.

Anything else I might need?

Thanks everyone.
Delta013

[MichaelS]

You should check to see if your RAID controller is supported in Linux.

You could probably try to hack up a Slackware install with the following:

-Remote access over the Internet through encrypted VPN.
tightVNC over SSH for remote access (not a true VPN though)
openswan is a good IPSec VPN client/server
poptop is a good PPTP VPN client/server

-Can be accessed by both Windows and Linux computers over LAN and Internet
If your referring to web servers, Apache is your friend
You could also run Samba (Windows File Sharing) over the Net providing your ISP doesn't block port 139 and 138, but that's NOT advised.
For FTP, there's tons of servers, I don't use any due to security concerns, so I can't really recommend anything in that category
You could also use SSH's (secure) FTP server, but that would require each person to have an account on the box... I don't think SSHD supports anonymous FTP :/

-Firewall
iptables is your friend for here -- there's nice pre-made scripts on the net that you can use, send me a PM if you'd like some recommendations.

-Virus protection (Or do I need this? Are there any Linux viruses?)
ClamAV is one that i've trusted in the last few years

-I would also like to be able to regulate access to specific files and folders depending on passwords.
Depending on how your accessing those files, and by what method (web/ssh/ftp) that may be a bit tricky... again its dependent on what the method is.

-Maybe encryption software (blowfish?), but not a must.
There are encrpyted filesystems for linux if that's what your looking for. That's something i'm staying away from as I don't have a test box with data that i'm willing to lose (yet!).


Good Luck!

Mike

[delta013]

Ok thanks for your help. Was starting to think no one whould answer.

Delta013

[LocoCoyote]

Slackware might not be a good choice for someone new to Linux. Try SuSE or one of the other major distros. You can + or - stuff as you need to.

[Force Flow]

Moderator's Comment

LocoCoyote,

Please stop posting blindly on every thread suggestestion thread to "get SuSe linux". It is not the best all-purpose distro, it is not free, nor is it at all for users new to linux distrobutions. It also does not address the origional thread's question in multiple instances not only because of these reasons, but as well as not addressing specific questions about distros from other members.

This is an official warning. I do not want to see you making any other similar "get SuSe linux" posts without a decent explaination of why you are suggesting it.

[LocoCoyote]

I hear you. To be fair, however, I did say "or other major distros".

My comment about Slackware was directed to what Micheal S said above. Slackware is not the most user friendly linix distro. It is a very good one, to be sure, but it tends to be more technical (set up most of all). Also slack seems to follow the BSD model closer than most other linux distros (which tend more toward Sys V). Other "Technical" distros include debian, Gentoo, and the BSD's (free, net and open). Mandrake, RedHat (fendora) and SuSE are the distros that I have found to be very user friendly (mostly in the set up routines). Of these I perfer SuSE linux. Why? well, aside from having what I feel is the best system managment tool out there (Yast), the professional version has so many optimized (for SuSE) software packages that there is little need to go looking for and installing any further software. It is very intiutive for a windows user to install and start being productive right out of the box. Is this true of other distros....sure, I don't doubt it a bit. You see, that is the thing about linux....we all have our favorites. each and every distro out there has its pros and cons, but underneath it is all linux.
True, SuSE professional is not free. I never said it was. Polishing and packageing a distro costs money. Someone has to pay for the labor it takes to make a well rounded, user friendly package. It is why (I think) SuSE is a cut above the other distros (for new users anyway). This is why you see me suggesting it so often.
There is a free version (Live eval) and the personnel version can be found for a pittance as well...but that is beside the point.
So, while my explanation may have been a bit lacking, I NEVER post blindly. I am only trying to help.


My 2 cents...