Centos server for OS X & Windows

[VI™]

OK, if there's a better section to post this, let me know. We need a networking section on this board.

This can apply to any flavor of linux I guess, but what's the best type of file server to set up on a non-domain network so that Windows and OS X can access it? I already have a WHS server at my house that works with Windows and OS X, but I'm going to need to upgrade eventually and it's an option I'd like to use at work in the future.

Should I just set up a SMB server and connect that way? The majority of computers are of course going to be Windows computers.

Sorry, I have ADD this morning so this is about as coherent as I can make my post right now.

 

[tyche]

If you just want a file server for your desktops, try looking at either FreeNAS or NAS4Free. One is a more basic file server and one has aspirations of adding lots of add-on features.

You can read a detailed comparison of both here:
http://arstechnica.com/information-...as-distribution-shootout-freenas-vs-nas4free/

Personally, I use a commercial soho NAS from Synology. It's low power, small and plenty of features.

 

[chrfr]

We need a networking section on this board.

There is one.
https://forums.macrumors.com/forums/123/

 

[VI™]

If you just want a file server for your desktops, try looking at either FreeNAS or NAS4Free. One is a more basic file server and one has aspirations of adding lots of add-on features.

You can read a detailed comparison of both here:
http://arstechnica.com/information-...as-distribution-shootout-freenas-vs-nas4free/

Personally, I use a commercial soho NAS from Synology. It's low power, small and plenty of features.

The reason I ask is that Centos seems to be a very reliable option that's low on resources needed to run it if you're running it without a gui interface and just the basics needed to run a file server. I will look in to those though.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

The reason I ask is that Centos seems to be a very reliable option that's low on resources needed to run it if you're running it without a gui interface and just the basics needed to run a file server. I will look in to those though.

All of that is true. The same could be said for Ubuntu Server or Debian or any number of other distros though.

 

[aquajet]

Samba is the answer you are looking for. It has a simple built in database for users and groups, or it can join an active directory domain or even *function* as an active directory domain. It will work fine in a mixed Windows and Mac environment. Regarding the OS -- your choice really. CentOS is a good choice.

 

[VI™]

All of that is true. The same could be said for Ubuntu Server or Debian or any number of other distros though.

CentOS seems to be my boss's distro of choice, so I'm starting there.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

CentOS seems to be my boss's distro of choice, so I'm starting there.

If this box is only going to be a file server I second what was said before. Check out Freenas/nas4free, it is much lower maintenance than running CentOS.

FreeNAS: http://www.freenas.org
Nas4free: http://www.nas4free.org