Assistance with homebuilt Linux appliance...

Hi--

I want to put together a linux-based CD/DVD network appliance that will give me access to my CD/DVD drives directly on my network--in the same fashion as NAS, but in this case with optical media.

I'd like to do this 1) for fun, and 2) because commercially available devices with the functionality I want are way out of my price range.

My thought is that for all intents and purposes this device will be a mini linux server with shared optical drives on the network.

My challenge is: I want to build out as little of the hardware normally associated with a linux server as possible to make this work. E.g., I don't want to have to have things like a sound card, or a video card, or a (huge) HDD if I can avoid it, as I won't be running this thing like a workstation; i.e. no monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc.

So, yes, I can always go ahead and build a *complete* linux server to do this, but I would welcome any input or suggestions on how I can strip down to only the bare essentials of a linux system to give me the network connection and the drive controllers.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Thanks for the links; cheap hardware will be essential ;-)