[blackstar34]

Hello all,

My small office wants to implment a file server running Linux. There are 10 workstations, we don't need anything way too elaborate. Just something reliable with a GUI, the ability to serve files and have people log in order to gain access to their machines. Any ideas on an easy to set up installation?

I scoured over the FAQ's and saw: Samba, Ubuntu, Mandriva, PCLinux, Xandros and Suse, any tips on what would be best for my situtation? Thanks in advance!

[Squashman]

You can use any Linux distribution with Samba. Samba is the key to what you want to do. Most linux distributions come with Samba. I personally would try it out on Ubuntu.

[dpak]

Ubuntu or just straight Debian will probably be the easiest for what you want. You're going to want to make the Samba server a domain controller if you want it to control the user accounts people login to their workstations with. This looks like a pretty good tutorial for exactly what you want...

http://www.howtoforge.com/samba_setup_ubuntu_5.10

[blackstar34]

This sounds good, most likely will be trying it this weekend - will report back on how I do since I am a linux novice. Thanks!

[tsunam]

I'd go with debian, even though ubuntu is based off debian. Its just a matter of knowing people use debian for servers, whereas I've not heard of ubuntu in a server environment..even if its only 10 client computers.

[asmcarthur]

SME Server, by far if you want a file Server, I just installed 2 of them. The work great.
Very easy to install only take 15 minutes. Another hour to add the i-bays (drives) add the user, groups,permissions, passwords. I have been using SME 6.0

SME Server is a Red Hat linux server. Server manager access from a another workstation.
I love this software.

See contribs.org