Linux Help on how to configure my Xubuntu server for my needs...

I have gone through the articles here at bit-tech and successfully done the configurations on my home server running Xubuntu.

I now want to get it configured so that it should not require anything to get it to do the following (should just work when turned on)

All the other computers on my home LAN run Windows XP Home, and the media center runs Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

What I want it to do (if possible) is the following:

• Back-up of my computer (move files manually to back-up) to folder set for my computer (password protection etc?)
• Back-up of dad's computer (move files manually to back-up) to folder set for dad's computer (password protection etc?)
• Overflow for the media computer's recorded tv. etc
• Only be on when we want to do something. (save/ stop the electric costs going higher, as I already use too much electric in the house)
• VNC in case I need to do something to it.
• Be very simple to use (my dad needs it simple )

Specs of the server (if needed)
Intel PIII 866 MHz
1gb of SDRAM (2 x 512mb strips) not dual channel.
Integrated graphics and sound.

 

• Back-up of my computer (move files manually to back-up) to folder set for my computer (password protection etc?)
• Back-up of dad's computer (move files manually to back-up) to folder set for dad's computer (password protection etc?)

The backup swiss army knife

• Overflow for the media computer's recorded tv. etc

You mean stream the media? Just mount the samba share on the other PC

• Only be on when we want to do something. (save/ stop the electric costs going higher, as I already use too much electric in the house)

Turning it off using a cronjob? But to turn it on you need to press a button (unless your BIOS supports wake on clock, or you manufacture some clever timer device)

• VNC in case I need to do something to it.

This should be installed (x11VNC)

• Be very simple to use (my dad needs it simple )

Does your dad need to access the server? or the things it shares? If the former, use VNC, if the latter, mount the network shares on his PC.

 

I am technical support in the house, and have full control of the workings of everything. my dad just uses, and always asks me before anything he's not seen before.
my dad would need access to the server, but only the content (things it shares) only he can get his stuff, and I can get only my stuff.

The media computer would have access to the server as additional storage space to the one drive in the media computer.
I'd like it to be as seamless as possible. It will be used for archives of programs. to clear space on the media computer's drive.

I would like to watch recorded tv on my computer by either streaming (If it would work) or by moving the file to my computer.

 

Well, create a useraccount for your dad (use the script at the end of the first article), and create a network mount in his Windows install, using his credentials, for the "homes" share. That way his data ends up in his homedir. In XP you can even make it reconnect every boot.

For the Media server, IIRC Windows MCE doesn't allow saving password protected shares. But that's easily done through a small script that runs every startup. Windows script:

Code:

net use Z: \\<IP TO SEVER>\homes /USER:<username> <password>

Again, create a separate user (with password) for the media server... I call mine 'media'

Or create a shared 'share', just like I did in the article with torrentflux


Once the drive is attached, you can access it like any other drive Keep in mind tough, that streaming HD movies requires a good network connection.