High Bandwidth File Server?

[snipster4]

Hello.

I'm wanting to build and setup a file server that I can access from my XP, Vista32/64bit machines. I have 20+ computers transfer large quantity's of files that can be anywhere from 1mb to 40GB. HDD are SATA2 7200RPM so I will be limited there on speed.

Currently are wiring is Cat5E with Gigabyte D-Link 8-port switches.

Goal:
Fastest possible streams and file copying/moving as possible with mutliple connections.

Questions:
What CPU/RAM/MOB would be good for a file server?

Should I install multiple GIG network adapters to the file server computer and will this work?

What OS should the file server run? ie XP, Vista or Server 2003/2008?

Are 10/100/1000 Network cards good enough or should I look at fibre optic and if so how can I implement this into my current network?

Thanks

 

[itadakimasu]

having gigabit will definately make movement faster on the network, i'm not sure how 7200rpm drives hold up to heavy access from that amount of computers though.