Topic Major Project

impilcature

I have ammassed a collection of about a TB of data that i would like to hang on to through the following years. I have this collection spread out on a TB USB drive, two ATA HD and my 360 and XBOX. I would like to centralize all this data on a central location and be able to access it from any of the three (one current and two future) computers and my XBOX and 360 via stream or network. Someone suggested to me setting it all up on a server but that is well over my head. I know the basics... the difference between a hub and a switch and how to subnet (the basics of subneting) but a server i have never worked with. is this feasible? i don't doubt that i could build a server and maintain it once i learn but would i be able to build one that would service windows linux and an xbox and an xbox 360?

Thanks for your input.

EDIT:
i just found this how to that seems to be pretty complete. one thing it doesn't cover is streaming. i may have missed it but can i listen to music and watch movies by streaming them if i build this?
http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2007/06...r_own_server/1

-HAL-

What kind of content is it? If it's mostly movies and music a server should be perfect for this.
I've just quickly browsed through the link you have posted but as far as I can see it looks like it should cover your needs.

Do you need to make the content accessible from the Internet or do you only need a local network at home??

impilcature

I would like to be able to access it from friends house and stuff like that but mostly home use. if i did leave it open to the internet would i need to up my up and download rates through my ISP?

It is mostly movies and music. Also some installs just for storage though.

-HAL-

If you want to access it from your friends house you'll probably need to hook it up through the Internet, unless he lives very near and you can use a wireless router...

What's the upload speed of your internet connection??
If it's too slow then you wont be able to stream high quality videos so a local network will be the only thing working for you then..

mmarsh

Implicature

Microsoft is weeks away from releasing the MS Windows Home Server Edition.

Its basically a very trimmed down version of Win 2003 (which we Network Admins use for work) but updated with all the features of Win VISTA. It allows you to create home networks very easily and it should allow for basic file sharing and streaming. It will even recognize your Xbox.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro.../features.mspx


This is your best bet for a newbie. Once you get confortable You could try Ubuntu Server but thats trickier, I's start small and work your way up.

If you need help setting up, drop me a note.

impilcature

Well i am going to get my degree in Network Administration or Computer Information Systems so that may be a good idea. if i do use Windows Home Server do you think UBUNTU will have any problems with it?