Ubuntu – How should I set up a Linux file server for data sharing with Windows PCs and a PS3

buildmedia-managernetworkingps3

I have the following pieces of hardware I would like to network mostly for file sharing (media primarily): 1 gaming laptop, 1 i7 (2.3Tb storage) desktop, 1 P4 desktop (500g storage), and 1 250gig PS3.

I am looking to setup a linux host (with a PS3 media server) with the i7 desktop but am concerned about leaving it on all the time. What stripped down, low energy usage distro can I couple with which windows & PS3 friendly software?

Also, how should i reformat my i7 (in terms of partitions, RAID options, whatever)? It has 2 1Tb drives (likely adding a third), and 1 320 gig.

Best Answer

Here's how we have our media server set up at my house (Dell Blade server w/2 Pentium Dual Cores, 8gb RAM and a 1.5TB HDD and an old 80gb hdd). It's very basic but works splendidly.

Main OS: Ubuntu Server Edition (check the options for Samba during the install).

HDD Setup: All ext4. The OS is on it's own 20gb partition on the 80gb drive with /home being on a separate partition. The reason the main OS is on a separate drive is we were debating putting it on an SSD, but never got around to it. The 1.5 TB drive is mounted to /media/data (make sure this is done in /etc/fstab, not manually, as mediatomb likes to have it available when it loads).

Media Sharing: Set up samba to share /media/Data (allow guest, no authentication sharing). Standard samba setup really. Install mediatomb (UPnP) and follow the instructions on their wiki regarding sharing with a PS3 (basically uncommenting 1 line in a config file). Use the mediatomb web interface to select which directories you want to share. Pretty easy.

Other Thoughts: Read through the mediatomb options and wiki's, there's a lot of other features you can enable through the GUI and also the config file. I know we changed the behavior it monitors directories and also how often it scans directories for new files.

It should be relatively easy to set up, and when you are done you have an excellent media server.

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Ubuntu – How to set up a basic home network file sharing

I would create a Shared folder on one of the desktops (the one with the most free hard drive space). Then you can access that Shared folder from other computers. To Share a folder right click on the folder and choose Sharing or if you don't see that choose properties and then choose sharing. If you don't have Samba installed, you should be asked to install Samba. You can allow access to specific users or you can make the folder available to anyone on the network (probably easiest on a small home network).

Then from the other computers navigate to the Network (on the list of Places) and find the computer with the Shared folder. Open the folder and then make a bookmark. Anything you place in that folder from one computer will be accessible from all the other computers.

Sorry I can't give you exact step by steps as I don't have a 10.10 machine in front of me.

Networking – How to Set Up a Linux Server as a Router

I have to go like Jack the ripper due several missing things that you have:

If you client will use DHCP to get the IP's you need a DHCP server.

iface eth0 inet dhcp

In the clients this indicates that they will get their IP's from a DHCP server, if you didn't setup a DHCP server, either you should use fixed IP's or install a DHCP server.
You lack of DNS servers configured in the clients. Either due the lack of DHCP server, or you may want to use a local DNS server for all your network.
You didn't offered the iptables rules (the output of sudo iptables -L) but I could guess that you didn't activated the Masquerade rules, nor IP forwarding as described.
The IP address of eth1 is not recommended. Any IP ended in 0 are typically the network itself, and most routers/firewall just get confused when these are used. Change it to 192.168.7.1 and you will mostly fine.
Your broadcast value in the eth1 interface is not correct. Is sending packages to nowhere. The correct value (taking into account other values of the interface) is 192.168.7.255.

Your options in the DHCP server are vicious. The ARP packages to your router will never reach. This is what you should have:

default-lease-time 600;
max-lease-time 7200;
option subnet-mask 255.255.255.0;
option broadcast-address 192.168.7.255;
option routers 192.168.7.1; ## This should be the same value of the step 4
option domain-name-servers 8.8.8.8;

subnet 192.168.7.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
    range 192.168.7.10 192.168.7.25;
}

Follow these and most likely you will have your router working.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Ubuntu – How to set up a basic home network file sharing

Networking – How to Set Up a Linux Server as a Router

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