Don't know where to start... please help with a complex (for me) home network/server

Pro Grape · 02-21-2007, 02:31 AM

Hello, I am trying to set up a network like this (image at bottom).

I have a MacBook Pro running OS X Tiger that I use at home and at school / work. My parents have a Windows desktop running Vista Business. I also have a desktop with Linux Kubuntu on it.

My parents and I often like/need to share files. I'd like to set up the Linux computer to handle all of these shared files and store them on the external drive. The external drive will be the only place that these shared files exist, so both the Windows machine and the Mac have to have ready read/write access to the drive, through the Linux computer. All three are connected to each other through the router, the Mac wirelessly.

In addition, the Mac needs to be able to access the files on the external drive from anywhere via the internet (the orange arrow). So the Linux box acts as a server of sorts, and will always remain on and connected to the internet.

Please provide some tips. My current setup only has the Windows computer and the Mac able to share files, and the Mac controls the external drive (no good for Windows users when the Mac is away or off).

Thanks!

Grape

sdsd · 02-21-2007, 03:23 AM

you may use samaba sharing to share the files on the Linux box, this way both Windows and MAC can access the files as usual.

for accessing those files from the internet, first you need to know the ip address of the Linux box (you need a public IP address) then setup linux box as FTP server. (i dont know if there is another way for this ).

Pro Grape · 02-21-2007, 04:45 PM

Ok, thanks for the suggestion. I thought I'd have Linux up and running by now but I've run into a different problem (for a different thread). I'll be back here once I've got it sorted out. I'll take a look at samaba in the meantime!

Any other suggestions? Is setting it up as an FTP server the best way to access the files over the internet? Can I use ssh, or does this have to be built on top of an ftp server? (I don't know much about networking!)

johnwill · 02-21-2007, 06:35 PM

I'd use a NAS drive for the shared data and connect everything directly to the router, using a simple switch to expand the LAN ports if necessary. I think you're making this harder than it really is.

Pro Grape · 02-22-2007, 10:51 AM

Hmm, I just looked up NAS drives, and yes, that seems like it would be the best option if I can turn my existing drive into a NAS drive. Is it possible to install software on a regular drive to make it a NAS drive without RAID? I'd like to use the 250 GB dirve I've already got, as the NAS drives I was looking at are fairly expensive.

johnwill · 02-23-2007, 06:25 PM

You can buy a NAS enclosure for $70-80 and put your existing drive into it. I have the Hawking HNAS1 and a MetalGear model here, both were around $70 without the drives.

Pro Grape · 02-25-2007, 02:51 AM

Well to be honest, I was thinking about this and I'd like to go the Linux route not only to get the job done (if this were the only reason the NAS drive would clearly be he best option), but also because I want to learn more about networking and connecting computers to each other and about Linux... I have a co-op term coming up soon where this'll be very helpful, so I think I may actually make it more complicated that it needs to be just because I'll get more out of it! But still dealing with hardware complications! =S

**JamesO** · 02-25-2007, 06:35 AM

For those who really like to go over the top!

http://www.infrant.com/products/prod...=ReadyNAS%20NV

http://www.qnap.com.tw/

JamesO

02-21-2007, 02:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pro Grape ym de shiznat. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 30 OS: Mac OS X.4 & Windows Vista	Don't know where to start... please help with a complex (for me) home network/server Hello, I am trying to set up a network like this (image at bottom). I have a MacBook Pro running OS X Tiger that I use at home and at school / work. My parents have a Windows desktop running Vista Business. I also have a desktop with Linux Kubuntu on it. My parents and I often like/need to share files. I'd like to set up the Linux computer to handle all of these shared files and store them on the external drive. The external drive will be the only place that these shared files exist, so both the Windows machine and the Mac have to have ready read/write access to the drive, through the Linux computer. All three are connected to each other through the router, the Mac wirelessly. In addition, the Mac needs to be able to access the files on the external drive from anywhere via the internet (the orange arrow). So the Linux box acts as a server of sorts, and will always remain on and connected to the internet. Please provide some tips. My current setup only has the Windows computer and the Mac able to share files, and the Mac controls the external drive (no good for Windows users when the Mac is away or off). Thanks! Grape

02-21-2007, 06:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,581 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I'd use a NAS drive for the shared data and connect everything directly to the router, using a simple switch to expand the LAN ports if necessary. I think you're making this harder than it really is. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-23-2007, 06:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,581 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	You can buy a NAS enclosure for $70-80 and put your existing drive into it. I have the Hawking HNAS1 and a MetalGear model here, both were around $70 without the drives. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-21-2007, 03:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
sdsd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 12 OS: xp	you may use samaba sharing to share the files on the Linux box, this way both Windows and MAC can access the files as usual. for accessing those files from the internet, first you need to know the ip address of the Linux box (you need a public IP address) then setup linux box as FTP server. (i dont know if there is another way for this ).

02-21-2007, 04:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pro Grape ym de shiznat. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 30 OS: Mac OS X.4 & Windows Vista	Ok, thanks for the suggestion. I thought I'd have Linux up and running by now but I've run into a different problem (for a different thread). I'll be back here once I've got it sorted out. I'll take a look at samaba in the meantime! Any other suggestions? Is setting it up as an FTP server the best way to access the files over the internet? Can I use ssh, or does this have to be built on top of an ftp server? (I don't know much about networking!)

02-22-2007, 10:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
Pro Grape ym de shiznat. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 30 OS: Mac OS X.4 & Windows Vista	Hmm, I just looked up NAS drives, and yes, that seems like it would be the best option if I can turn my existing drive into a NAS drive. Is it possible to install software on a regular drive to make it a NAS drive without RAID? I'd like to use the 250 GB dirve I've already got, as the NAS drives I was looking at are fairly expensive.

02-25-2007, 02:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
Pro Grape ym de shiznat. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 30 OS: Mac OS X.4 & Windows Vista	Well to be honest, I was thinking about this and I'd like to go the Linux route not only to get the job done (if this were the only reason the NAS drive would clearly be he best option), but also because I want to learn more about networking and connecting computers to each other and about Linux... I have a co-op term coming up soon where this'll be very helpful, so I think I may actually make it more complicated that it needs to be just because I'll get more out of it! But still dealing with hardware complications! =S

02-25-2007, 06:35 AM	#8 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	For those who really like to go over the top! http://www.infrant.com/products/prod...=ReadyNAS%20NV http://www.qnap.com.tw/ JamesO