Home Server Operating System

[Vedeyn]

Hello everyone, 

 

I currently run a home server on Windows 8.1 with the following specs:

 

Asrock H97 Anniversary Motherboard

i3 4130 CPU

8GB RAM

120GB SSD OS Drive

WD Blue 1TB HDD x2 (Mirrored)

 

I am looking to add a few 2TB Seagate drives that are on sale on Newegg right now and mirror those as well.

I figured that since I will have the server down for a little bit at least, now would be the time to consider an OS change/upgrade.

 

I currently use this server for file sharing, a Plex server, Ventrilo server (not overly important), and for utorrent.

 

I'm torn between just moving to Windows 10 or trying something Linux based. I do have a little bit of experience with Debian based systems. I've done a fair bit of playing around with Raspberry Pis and I have Ubuntu on my laptop. I have a few other PCs on my network but they are all Windows machines.

 

Any recommendations on an OS to try? I need to be sure I can set up the HDD mirrors and monitor them somewhat easily for drive failure.

 

Thanks for any assistance!

[PlayStation 2]

You already have Windows 8.1 on it, might as well take advantage of the cash you spent on it.

[Egad]

Just download VirtualBox, a free VM, and play around with with various distros on it.  I'm partial to CentOS.  You can try things out on that without having to actually fully buy in.  Although really stick at 8.1 or jump to 10.  I wouldn't change OS just over some new mechanical drives.

[Cvdasfg]

Hello everyone, 

 

I currently run a home server on Windows 8.1 with the following specs:

 

Asrock H97 Anniversary Motherboard

i3 4130 CPU

8GB RAM

120GB SSD OS Drive

WD Blue 1TB HDD x2 (Mirrored)

 

I am looking to add a few 2TB Seagate drives that are on sale on Newegg right now and mirror those as well.

I figured that since I will have the server down for a little bit at least, now would be the time to consider an OS change/upgrade.

 

I currently use this server for file sharing, a Plex server, Ventrilo server (not overly important), and for utorrent.

 

I'm torn between just moving to Windows 10 or trying something Linux based. I do have a little bit of experience with Debian based systems. I've done a fair bit of playing around with Raspberry Pis and I have Ubuntu on my laptop. I have a few other PCs on my network but they are all Windows machines.

 

Any recommendations on an OS to try? I need to be sure I can set up the HDD mirrors and monitor them somewhat easily for drive failure.

 

Thanks for any assistance!

I personally use FreeNAS which can do everything you said your doing now. Personally LOVE the thing. ZFS in my opinion is the future. MUCH safer then raid cards and all that if you know what your doing. Feel free to PM me any questions.

 

EDIT: Also follow your topic

[Vedeyn]

You already have Windows 8.1 on it, might as well take advantage of the cash you spent on it.

 

I got it for free through school. Had I paid for it I probably wouldn't consider switching.

 

 

Just download VirtualBox, a free VM, and play around with with various distros on it.  I'm partial to CentOS.  You can try things out on that without having to actually fully buy in.  Although really stick at 8.1 or jump to 10.  I wouldn't change OS just over some new mechanical drives.

 

I do have virtual box so maybe I will try that. Its not so much the addition of the drives, I just figured while making some changes I might as well get them all out of the way while I'm working on it. I'll be in the "mood" to mess with it so to speak.

 

 

I personally use FreeNAS which can do everything you said your doing now. Personally LOVE the thing. ZFS in my opinion is the future. MUCH safer then raid cards and all that if you know what your doing. Feel free to PM me any questions.

 

EDIT: Also follow your topic

 

I have heard a lot about FreeNAS. I will have to do a bit of research and take you up on your offer if I have any questions!

 

Thanks everyone for the responses!