[Ilugc] help require in converting my server to NAS box

[rajasekhar kuppa]

>
> In my work place we don't have any NAS box. we are
> having one dell server model "SC430" it is a intel
> pentium with dual core processor.
>
> I would like to convert the server to a NAS box. I
> tried in the google search and found one freenas. I
> don't know wheather it will stable one.
>


There are two ways in which you can acheive this.

1) Run an operating system (GNU/ Linux or BSD  or something else)  and then
run samba or NFS on top of it as is your requirement.  This will have a very
low  knowledge curve( provided you are already good with administration. But
the down side is that there will be too many unnecessary services running
and it will not be scalable.

2) The other way is to run dedicated footprint OS like FreeNAS  or Open
Filer.
These require a good deal of attention from you and the knowledge curve is
very high. But the dividends will pay off in the long run. IF you want
scalability then Open filer  can eventually even be used not just as  a NAS
option but can be scaled up as a SAN ( IPSAN albeit) with iscsi  as the
underlying protocol.

and if you need professional support at  some point the open filer team also
sells some commercial support.

so it all depends on how big a hammer do you want :-)
if all you need is just  an interdepartmental file server for some 50 to 100
pcs. well just insttall samba and be done with it.

Reggies
Raj
-- 
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                 A train station is where a train stops.

                  On my desk, I have a work station....
                       what more can I say........