Simple Fileserver -- Debian, or UNRaid?

[Satyrist]

Had been running a fileserver on Kubuntu 8.04 for the longest time, but I'm looking to move off of it to something else, as I don't care for KDE much...And I'm aware of the bigger changes between 3.5.* and 4.*...Just looking to start fresh.

As this is going to be straight samba/cifs for files, I wasn't sure about which direction to go.

I've used ClearOS (formerly Clarkconnect) in the past, and I've liked it, the home version might be something to look at, once it gets released.

Debian is something I'm familiar with, even in it's relatively bastardized state that's found in *buntu. Not sure if I ought to wait for Squeeze to become the new stable or not, it's out in a couple of weeks or so. Probably just add webmin for handling shares/accounts.

UNRaid was another option I've been thinking of, now that Vail (currently) cut drive extender out. I wouldn't have more than 6 drives altogether, but I know that'll cost a bit. It's also by no means a backup, but it looks to add more redundancy than the other options.

ZFS/Solaris is just a bit beyond my grasp at this time.

Other options? I'd appreciate it.

 

[skyking]

I'd stick with Debian and not bother with any desktop environment. I wouldn't bother with webmin, just edit your smb.conf file and create some directories.

 

[weovpac]

Since you know Debian, I'd stick with that. Squeeze release planned for 5th/6th Feb 2011. If you can't wait: http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/squeeze_di_rc2/

But DO NOT use webmin.

 

[Satyrist]

Since you know Debian, I'd stick with that. Squeeze release planned for 5th/6th Feb 2011. If you can't wait: http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/squeeze_di_rc2/

But DO NOT use webmin.

any reasons in particular not to use it?

 

[weovpac]

any reasons in particular not to use it?

The following is from #debian on irc.oftc.net. I have no experience with Webmin, but others that know better do not recommend it.

<dpkg> Webmin is a lame web-based interface for unsafe system administration for Unix. Check it out at http://webmin.com/ Remember, dondelelcaro *hates* webmin. "i'd rather sit on the floor shoving table knives into live electrical outlets than run webmin on an exposed server." See http://bugs.debian.org/343897 about the removal from Debian. Don't use their .debs, they are of extremely poor quality. See <free whcp> for alternatives.

 

[skyking]

There is very little work to set up the smb.conf file and manage users with SSH or console. No need for a GUI or something like webmin.

 

[Nothinman]

Yea, I used Webmin a little bit way back when and while it was kind of nice to start with, it usually ended up taking longer to do things. Yes, reading the docs and learning the system is a bit more work but it's well worth it.

 

[Satyrist]

The following is from #debian on irc.oftc.net. I have no experience with Webmin, but others that know better do not recommend it.

That seems to be more of a case of the debian maintainers throwing a snit (much in the same manner the sidux/aptosid maintainers have extreme philosophical differences with smxi) because of how dpkg doesn't appear to get along very well with webmin if you're using the .deb file directly from their own site. Webmin appears to work, the thing is keeping it up to date with security updates, much as one would with any software, really.

Plus, it looks like this is something from 3-4+ years ago as well...The only thing that really appears to have happened, is that debian, as well as canonical, have simply purged any instance of webmin from their repositories.

Not that I'm disagreeing with anyone here about it, just putting in some info that I had found elsewhere about it.

Seemed a lot of feedback was stating to go with Zentyal (formerly EBox) instead.

*sigh*

I may take another look at UNRaid, it appears to be a bit easier, if one's dealing with disk management. But it still isn't really decided.

 

[sourceninja]

Check out openflier or Freenas

 

[Khyron320]

Webmin is fine .... many people complain about security or configuration issues..
A tool is a tool, its all in how you use it.

 

[Netopia]

And since the OP is looking for something on his LAN at home, I don't really see how any security issues are that important. Also, Webmin has moved to only using HTTPS connections for some time now. I think Webmin would be more than fine for this sort of casual usage.

 

[Satyrist]

Plus, I could simply use it to do what I needed, then uninstall it....I know, perhaps a bit counterproductive, but for simple storage, I do suppose little is needed otherwise.

Lol, I know, Linux user without the command line. Thanks for putting up with me regardless.