Home Server Advice? FTP?

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Before I go into the hardware I just want to say what I should use, I was always thinking of loading Windows 7 up and running Filezilla but what else should I use, I know Debian has a lot of server options but also what about this FreeNas stuff I always hear about. Pretty much I'm asking what your opinion is on the software side of this build. I will not be using Wired connections rather accessing the server wirelessly. Now if none of what I just said made no sense to you it's because I am a newbie to the idea of having a server, I'm clueless software wise and I honestly am confused, but that's why I'm here I guess lol.

(I AM NOT EDUCATED IN NETWORKING SO EXCUSE ME IF I SOUND IDIOTIC)

On to the hardware, like I said basic XBMC server stream, backing up stuff etc etc, I won't be sharing this server with anyone else unless my Mum and Sister get a sudden interest in running stuff off servers... yeah. So here's the hardware!:

CPU: A6 6400K FM2 http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CPLGFM4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=U... A Dual Core APU with onboard graphics, perfect for what I need and cuts down cost on a discrete GPU, it is an AMD APU though so the power consumption may be bad for a almost 24/7 server. :P and since I'm not doing much with this server, I'm assuming this should be fine.

MOBO: MSI FM2-A55M-E33 Basic chipset but like I said basic media streaming so Sata 2 ports and a basic chipset is all I need, and a HDMI port. It is also cheap. Although recommendations are welcomed as I am a newbie to this stuff :P http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009LT4F3E/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=U...

RAM: XMS3 4GB 1333mhz (Will come from my main PC, upgrading my main PC with Kingston 8GB 1600mhz)

PSU: Corsair CX430 80+ Bronze

HDD: 1x WD Black (1TB)... for now.

CASE: My main PC's Elite 430 (My main PC will go in a Fractal Design Define R4) Bought it for £30 back in 2012 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cooler-Master-RC-430-KWN1-Elite-Window/dp/B003OE...

WIFI CARD: More basic hardware yay! Just a random PCI-E wireless card. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-PCE-N15-Wireless-adapter-connection/dp/B005...

Thanks!

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Hey JQLeitch,

I have a home server I use and thought this might help. It sounds like any of the OS's you mentioned could handle what your looking at doing. That means whichever OS your comfortable with will be the best, but if you use FreeNAS/debian you will save yourself a Windows 7 license.

The basics for what you need is a network file share. In windows you could use the built in file sharing instead of using FTP. With FreeNAS you would need to add a Samba/CIFS share (Windows Share). In XBMC you would add a source and point it to the network share.

If you need to trans-code (convert video on the fly), I would look into PS3 Media Server as it will run on Windows/Linux and can be accessed by things like XBMC and gaming consoles.

As for your hardware, the big bottleneck will be wireless. It doesn't matter if its B, G, N, etc. Since it sounds like you won't be using this as a desktop after you set it up you can configure VNC/Remote Desktop and leave it plugged in off in a corner out of the way. This might make it possible for you to connect it to your network with Ethernet.

Hope this helps.

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Okay thanks for the advice man!