What software for my new server

[kopite]

Hey people.
Instead of upgrading my computer I have decided to get a file server set up.

I have got the server sitting at home atm. Its dual p3600 with a gig of ram and 70 gig worth of scsi drives inside.

Im looking at setting it up as a file server. I have a couple of sata raid cards im gonna put in it but the question is what OS should I run on it.

3 of the pcs in the house run windows and My HTPC which will get finished at some time was going to be running Mythtv although I am thinking it may end up with MCE instead.

I am also thinking I may set it up as a mail server as well .

I have had a bit of experience with Linux. I`m using Debian on my VM which does my email and i`ve set up a linux box before with Samba etc so I know a bit about it.

WOuld I be better of using something like windows server edition as all the pooters are windows based or would linux be better because of the server age>

[directhex]

either would work. linux would save you a few hundred, obviously. and xp is *NOT* a server, never think of using xp in this scenario.

perhaps you should read HEXUS.net - Article :: Run your own home-entertainment server with Linux and MythTV: we show you how. : Page - 1/9 ?

[kopite]

I have a legit copy of windows server 2003 Which is why I was thinking that as well.

ATM Im basically wondering which is going to be the best for Sharing files.

The assumption i`m making atm is that the server will be fine for allowing me to watch films stored on it on other computers? Its the computers on the end that will be doing the decoding so Im guessing that the computers spec should be more than enough to allow this? Or am i missingg out somehting?

[directhex]

I have a legit copy of windows server 2003 Which is why I was thinking that as well.

ATM Im basically wondering which is going to be the best for Sharing files.

The assumption i`m making atm is that the server will be fine for allowing me to watch films stored on it on other computers? Its the computers on the end that will be doing the decoding so Im guessing that the computers spec should be more than enough to allow this? Or am i missingg out somehting?

network bandwidth and disk performance permitting, you're absolutely correct