File Server

[Danielh90]

Hello I have a copy of Windows server 2012 and I would like to use that os on one of my computers to make it into a file server Where I keep all my important data. Aslo I would like it to do daily backups on my main computer pulling all the files I have and copying it over to the server for a backup. How would I do that and is Window Server 2012 a good server to make a file server on?  

[VictorianReaper]

6 minutes ago, Danielh90 said:

Hello I have a copy of Windows server 2012 and I would like to use that os on one of my computers to make it into a file server Where I keep all my important data. Aslo I would like it to do daily backups on my main computer pulling all the files I have and copying it over to the server for a backup. How would I do that and is Window Server 2012 a good server to make a file server on?  

i reccomend freenas what does your computer have

[Guest]

Install File and Storage service if I recall correctly.

[Danielh90]

9 minutes ago, VictorianReaper said:

i reccomend freenas what does your computer have

? The computer has Windows Server 2012 on it right now. Also I would like to do with the computer then just a file server. but the File Server will be the man part of it. 

[NelizMastr]

On 1-10-2016 at 6:48 PM, dexxterlab97 said:

Install File and Storage service if I recall correctly.

Yup. That's indeed what OP should install. Create one or more shares, configure user accounts to use it (or anonymous by granting access to the user "Everyone" if you like to live dangerously) and profit. Homegroup would also be an option, but that would be a waste of the server functionality. You can do so much more with the server than crummy homegroup sharing, plus, you can still install many more roles for other tasks on it. 2k12 is a great OS for stuff like this.

[Mikensan]

Server 2012 is a solid choice, maybe look in to storage spaces (just a feature/role) as well, depending on what you want to do with it.

[Danielh90]

2 hours ago, Mikensan said:

Server 2012 is a solid choice, maybe look in to storage spaces (just a feature/role) as well, depending on what you want to do with it.

Ok I kinda have already but not a lot of resource. I know how to make a share and that basically it. 

[Mikensan]

1 minute ago, Danielh90 said:

Ok I kinda have already but not a lot of resource. I know how to make a share and that basically it. 

Well if you make a final decision and want more help just ask every step of the way. Lot of us here are willing to help.

[Danielh90]

1 minute ago, Mikensan said:

Well if you make a final decision and want more help just ask every step of the way. Lot of us here are willing to help.

Ok Thank you. 

[Danielh90]

4 minutes ago, Mikensan said:

Well if you make a final decision and want more help just ask every step of the way. Lot of us here are willing to help.

Can the storage space  be able to do daily backups? 

[NelizMastr]

18 hours ago, Danielh90 said:

Can the storage space  be able to do daily backups? 

Do you have a separate volume (preferably redundant) for storing those back-ups? 

 

Honestly, if you have two drives of the same size, you're better off just going RAID1 on them. An exact copy all the time is the best back-up you can get, unless you want archiving functionality, which could be done even by connecting an external drive once in a while to do a back-up.

[Danielh90]

2 hours ago, NelizMastr said:

Do you have a separate volume (preferably redundant) for storing those back-ups? 

 

Honestly, if you have two drives of the same size, you're better off just going RAID1 on them. An exact copy all the time is the best back-up you can get, unless you want archiving functionality, which could be done even by connecting an external drive once in a while to do a back-up.

yeah i have two hard drives 

[NelizMastr]

1 minute ago, Danielh90 said:

yeah i have two hard drives 

Which ones? Same size (capacity)?

 

If so, RAID1 is your friend.