Very Reliable OS Around Anywhere?

dhnt · 09-22-2009, 02:25 PM

Hello All,

I have been given the project of bringing our backup archives up to date with an easy to manage solution. We currently rely on staff using a 2TB WD Ext hard drive and manually copy a backup every 30 days. This HD is then unpugged and stored in a fireproof/waterproof safe. This is causing problems with forgetful admins.

I need an OS which can handle a 4TB RAID10 data drive and that will last 5-10 years without being switched off. This server will be placed into a dedicated area (which has more than 1 power supply and a 5 day generator) to be on for about 8 years, however may stretch to 10.

This server will also have no internet connection available to it. I need a hardened operating system that is compatible with Microsoft Windows Server 2008 (and R2) for backups to be robocopied to.

Any ideas?

Alejandro_2509 · 09-23-2009, 06:40 PM

Hi, altough I am a simple forum member, I sugest you to check out one of these FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD they have reputation for being faster and safer than linux and windows. About compatibility I do not know.

shuuhen · 09-24-2009, 08:40 AM

Linux or a *BSD should be just fine. You might want to look at OpenBSD, which has a serious focus on security. FreeBSD should also be good, but I'm not a security expert so I cannot say if it would be better than another setup. If you go with Linux, consider looking into SELinux. I've heard SELinux, once correctly set up, can make a computer incredibly hard to attack.

What exactly do you mean by compatible? Network shares, chat servers, a specific program... There are too many potential things to be able to guess well.

dhnt · 09-25-2009, 01:22 AM

Hi Shuuhen,

Thanks for your detailed reply!

All I mean by compatible is that the server should be able to be accessed remotely by other Microsoft Windows Server 2008 servers. The data will be sent to this server, the server itself won't go to copy it and will just.

Looking into OpenBSD now, although this will be our first Linux-type operating system - should be fun!

09-22-2009, 02:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
dhnt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 8 OS: Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM	Very Reliable OS Around Anywhere? Hello All, I have been given the project of bringing our backup archives up to date with an easy to manage solution. We currently rely on staff using a 2TB WD Ext hard drive and manually copy a backup every 30 days. This HD is then unpugged and stored in a fireproof/waterproof safe. This is causing problems with forgetful admins. I need an OS which can handle a 4TB RAID10 data drive and that will last 5-10 years without being switched off. This server will be placed into a dedicated area (which has more than 1 power supply and a 5 day generator) to be on for about 8 years, however may stretch to 10. This server will also have no internet connection available to it. I need a hardened operating system that is compatible with Microsoft Windows Server 2008 (and R2) for backups to be robocopied to. Any ideas?

09-23-2009, 06:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Alejandro_2509 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: México Posts: 84 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit(RC), Ubuntu 9.04, PC-BSD 7.1.1	Re: Very Reliable OS Around Anywhere? Hi, altough I am a simple forum member, I sugest you to check out one of these FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD they have reputation for being faster and safer than linux and windows. About compatibility I do not know.

09-24-2009, 08:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
shuuhen Manager Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 981 OS: Mac OS 9.1, Mac OS X 10.5.8, WinXP Pro, FreeBSD 6.0, Gentoo Linux My System	Re: Very Reliable OS Around Anywhere? Linux or a BSD should be just fine. You might want to look at OpenBSD, which has a serious focus on security. FreeBSD should also be good, but I'm not a security expert so I cannot say if it would be better than another setup. If you go with Linux, consider looking into SELinux. I've heard SELinux, once correctly set up, can make a computer incredibly hard to attack. What exactly do you mean by compatible? Network shares, chat servers, a specific program... There are too many potential things to be able to guess well. __________________ Has it been a few days since I replied to your thread? Don't panic!* I'm a busy college student and may forget a post if I'm extra busy (or it might just take me a while to be able to do a decent reply). If you still need help and are awaiting my reply after a few days, PM me about it. When posting what errors you get, please give the full message. It makes helping you much easier.

09-25-2009, 01:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
dhnt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 8 OS: Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM	Re: Very Reliable OS Around Anywhere? Hi Shuuhen, Thanks for your detailed reply! All I mean by compatible is that the server should be able to be accessed remotely by other Microsoft Windows Server 2008 servers. The data will be sent to this server, the server itself won't go to copy it and will just. Looking into OpenBSD now, although this will be our first Linux-type operating system - should be fun!