FreeNAS OS

[Major_A]

Has anyone played with this?
It's very cool. I have it up and running but still
under configuration and had some questions.

freenas.org/FreeNAS

If anyone would like to mess with it, I can tell you what I've done so far and what I've learned.

[Lamron]

Interesting, but I'm not sure I understand the advantage here on a home network. Aren't you taking a computer and dumbing it down to the level of a free standing NAS box? (Example: tinyurl.com/592krp)

A basic computer running Win7 easily handles those file functions, while at the same time running home theater, network printer connection, bittorrent, household automation, or other programs. You seem to be losing a bunch of usefulness with this setup, unless you really only want the file handling.

However, if you needed to handle lots of external file requests and needed to administrate user access to files, then I could definately see the utility in a dedicated setup like this.

[Major_A]

Yeah it kind of dumbs down the machine as far as an opsys goes at the same time simplifying for my needs.

The main advantages I've liked so far is it can run on minimum amouts of memory although, that particular machine has 700mb ish in it.

It's kind of neat to only need a monitor for initial setup, after that I can put it upstairs
out of the way in the spare room.
All setup then on, is done through a web gui like logging into your router.

it's free vs windows


What I'm trying to accomplish is a central place to store my files with access from any other machine in the house, plus be able to share a few directories for a few of my friends that are too big to email and I don't want to spend time having to upload them to a share place. Also a web server.



supported services

CIFS/SMB
FTP
TFTP
SSH
NFS
AFP
RSYNC
Unison
iSCSI Target
UPnP
iTunes/DAAP
Dynamic DNS
SNMP
UPS
Webserver
BitTorrent

I've got a 40gb drive as the boot drive and my new 2tb drive is supposed to be for storage but this is where I'm stuck. I can't seem to get to the right place to create directories and what not on it.


EDIT- DUH...all I had to do was open up my network and it was shared right there lol.


sourceforge.net/apps/phpbb/freenas/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=8734&p=41712&hilit=wifi&sid=c99db9b42043b7c8aed7e1f0d955dacc#p41712

[Major_A]

I need a new ◄faster► router. 10/100 isn't going to work for long lol.

Any recommendations?

I prefer linksys, but may stray.


Another quick question, does this mean I need new NIC cards too?

[Major_A]

Well, not only have I cleaned/consolidated
4 computers'es lol (<--what's the plural on that?) hard drives
into the new 2TB hard drive on the FreeNAS server, I also
cleaned out 2 external USB hard drives...THEN I proceeded
to unearth backup dvds in their dust covered boxes from the
lower bowels of my desk...(well, the shelf buried behind the desk) and
copy all that garbage onto the NAS hard drive.

Along with the format space I'm only at 28% usage of the 2TB drive.

Hopefully the living room TV upgrade will come soon, It will
be nice to stream goodies straight to the TV...more or less.

I got the webserver part of it running also.
Shields Up/Services helped with this alot www.grc.com/intro.htm
What I need to do now is find some help in securing it. I guess
I'm trying to figure out apache installation next so if anyone has
knowledge of freebsd and apache installation feel free to raise your hand.

[Major_A]

Hey Lamron,

I haven't done it yet as I'm trying to get my FTP service working,
but I ran across a ventrillo service and TS service for freeBSD aka freeNAS
in case you wanted something else to play with.

vent
sourceforge.net/apps/phpbb/freenas/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=8557

TS
forum.teamspeak.com/showthread.php/35331-TeamSpeak-server-on-FreeBSD-Getting-it-done-quick?s=ffd96221418b2f1c8424cfe0389aeb7c

I really haven't nailed it down yet but freeBSD is freeNAS
but yet different, and that is a nix system,... I think. Hope that makes sense.

MOH
www.section6.net/wiki/index.php/Setting_up_a_Dedicated_Medal_Of_Honor_Server

They are up to ver 8 now, but no live cd yet.

after a recent power outage, and fixed the errors,
I changed my boot HD to a 2GB thumb drive.

[Major_A]

Lamron, question,

after a week of trying to get UPnP to stream into my network, I found that it was a number of issues, but mainly it was peeblock stopping it rrrrr.

The question is, do you know of a small UPnP client?

The only thing I can see the stream with is cyberlink powerdvd11,
but it's just too damned big to be running for my tastes.

I've got VLC installed, but I CANNOT figure out how to see the stream.
www.videolan.org/vlc/

didn't know if you knew of anything...hopefully free

EDIT -

AAAAAACK!!!
Apparently powerdvd doesn't like the beating I gave it with a sudden
change of videos...or it didn't like ST Voyager (not a scifi fan I guess)..
locked up and blue-screened my rig...wishing for that smaller upnp client
alot more now.

In the house currently are the NAS Server, 2 XP machines and 1 Win7
if that helps.

really stuck here for options.