Best home server OS for x86 (no 64bit) computer

[EightySix Four]

I have an older computer and a number of HDDs laying around that I would like to use as network storage for a couple of Win 7 and OS X laptops. I have an MSDN subscription, but the majority of MS'a new server OSes need an x64 CPU. Is there a particular Linux distribution that would be good for this?

 

[MustISO]

There are x86 versions of Server 2003 and Server 2008. Windows Homer Server might be another option.

 

[jhansman]

While I sometimes find the author of this site a pompous ass, he does know Windows Home Server and has good info on it:

http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows-server/windows-home-server-2011-140443

 

[Dahak]

Only downside for windows home server is the 2011 version is 64bit only

but the older version v1 is still 32bit, so you could take a look at that

 

[Red Squirrel]

Check out CentOS, it is basically a free version of Red Hat, and is widely used in production environments. For the storage portion check out mdadm raid (it comes with most Linux distros). A tutorial here for setting it up: http://www.iceteks.com/articles.php/linuxmdadmraid/1

 

[yinan]

Server 2008 non R2

 

[P4man]

If its only going to serve as file server, pick a NAS distro like OpenFiler or FreeNAS:
http://www.freenas.org/
http://www.openfiler.com/

That way you get no headaches, and nice browser interfaces and everything you need without the dead weight (and associated security risks) you dont need.