I have a very small peer to peer wired network using five Windows 2K, ubuntu and XP computers with plans for an additional HTPC (or two), and a networked gaming box. I am not happy with my workgroup experience. We have data files, multimedia recordings etc scattered over multiple machines, backup is a pain, and security is minimal. Even accessing data is a pain as the Win 2K machine imposses an additional loggons to get at resources.
I thought about just adding a NAS and providing some ahem, family instruction, but I know it will not solve all my concerns, nor will it make my life easier in terms of security managment or software fix deployment. Specifically, I want to move email, file storage (and back up) from individual computers on the network to a RAID 5 based NAS or a file server solution. I also want to centralize security, and use a domain(s) for network access.
This seems to lead me too some sort of client server or at least a domain controller architecture. Problem is, I am no IT expert, and the paucity of DIY home networking examples with this type of setup could land me in hot water with the Mrs if anything goes amiss.
1) Does anyone have any good examples of how to implement something like this?
2) Should I bite the bullet and risk spousal rage by a) diving headfirst into SUSE Linux Enterprise Server or b) Windows SBS or Server.
3) Can I make this work using a Windows 2K box as a domain controller and storage solution using a product like the Open-E (an embedded Linux iSCSI device)?
4) Are there any reasonably priced stand alone domain controller devices?
5) if I choose to set up a domain, what do I do about email which is currently handled by Thunderbird e-mail on each individual machine?
I thought about just adding a NAS and providing some ahem, family instruction, but I know it will not solve all my concerns, nor will it make my life easier in terms of security managment or software fix deployment. Specifically, I want to move email, file storage (and back up) from individual computers on the network to a RAID 5 based NAS or a file server solution. I also want to centralize security, and use a domain(s) for network access.
This seems to lead me too some sort of client server or at least a domain controller architecture. Problem is, I am no IT expert, and the paucity of DIY home networking examples with this type of setup could land me in hot water with the Mrs if anything goes amiss.
1) Does anyone have any good examples of how to implement something like this?
2) Should I bite the bullet and risk spousal rage by a) diving headfirst into SUSE Linux Enterprise Server or b) Windows SBS or Server.
3) Can I make this work using a Windows 2K box as a domain controller and storage solution using a product like the Open-E (an embedded Linux iSCSI device)?
4) Are there any reasonably priced stand alone domain controller devices?
5) if I choose to set up a domain, what do I do about email which is currently handled by Thunderbird e-mail on each individual machine?