UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hi All...

I have never really touched any form of unix so any help would be appraciated.

I am looking at creating/building another PC to add to my network for storage purposes only.

Would unix be the best OS to use in this situation as all I have available to me is a very low end PC.

As I understand it, it would go as follows.

1. Use/Install UNIX (or a version there of) on the P2 200 (I think that's what it is?)
2. Network it.
3. use it.

Does it matter that the PC is so low end its scary and will UNIX help overcome the performance deficit i will encounter?

Any suggestions at all are welcome, need to sort something out asap, have real storage issues!

Have a good one!

Merlyn

Why would you want a PC for "storage" purposes only?
You can have your data stored on a CD's that would be a more
sensible option rather than having a PC to store data.

Thanks for your reply....

I already have various data either backup up or stored on DVD, CD, Tape and a couple of other storage methods for various accessibility, speed and reliability reasons.

Why I want to do this is for a number of reasons:

1. I like to build things using technologies I am unfamiliar with as I find this the best way to get familiar with these technologies. In this case it's UNIX or some for of as well as finding some sort of software that turns the PC into something like a SNAP server.

2. If I can get this to work well enough I have a number of applications for it that will possibly involve databases, web and intranet access (both wireless and cabled) as well as automatic data collection of various information for my website that will possibly use some sort of high level indexing.

As I said in the message I posted I am totally ignorant when it comes to UNIX type OS's and was just looking for a little direction. Hopefully with the above added information you or someone may be able to help me get started.

Again thankyou for your reply to my post.

Merlyn

if your thinking about storage and compatibilty also and are going to use a network try installing windows too to maintain the amount of compatibity that you will have using the unix network with other computers.. simply mount windows on linux and as Zazzybob suggested to me FTP the information back and forth. that way you can store all kinds of variable information and make up for lack of speed..
hope that helps moxxx68

Thanks Mox!

Now just a couple more newbie questions! (I really am very new to this UNIX thing!)

1. What 'version' or 'form' of LINUX/UNIX should I use (again I apologise for these question which, once I understand all of this, will, I am sure, seem rather stupid at the end of the day!)?

2. Where, on the web, would I find the best place to download this version of UNIX/LINUX as well as instruction/documentation on installing it?

3. Do you know of any other any good LINUX resource sites that may help me as well?

4. Would I just use MS WindowsXP to share the drives using the standard "peer to peer" Windows network sharing method?

5. If I was not to use Windows is there another application I could install into LINUX/UNIX that would set it up like a "SNAP Server" - for example?

Thanks again Mox!

Merlyn

i am a newbie at unix\/linux myself but my brothers are both experts although they don't tell me much.. so I think I can answer your questions to the best abilities that I can...!
1)2)&3) try http://fedora.redhat.com
i have found this software quite impressive and easy to work with and also very up to date.. the software itself is fedore core 2 vs. 2.6.8-1.521 ibelieve it is GNU...linux..
this site has all the information you need to read up on the software, along with the download section amongst other options.. check it out!! pretty neat site.. !
4) i found that by using a desktop as a storage for my database using windows along with it can really enhance the use of the actual device files and storage configuration.. such as using windows to back up certain datafiles.. then when you need them to FTP for instance you mount them onto your linux hardrive do the initial processing and FTP the file to another server or computer .. ( from my personal point of view only!! i have done the same thing as you pretty much and have found linux\/unix much more diverse at maintaining these processes.. infact the only reason I use windows is compatibility with other machines or software where I may have difficulty applying the transition straight to linux.. like palm devices and storing information in a database.. mount the palm device on windows, transition to linux and you have virtual mode storage format..) but that is only my opinion I hope it helps..
5) as for snap I myself am not sure what snap is and would like to see someone answer that question for you, so that I too can get in on the secret..

yours truely moxxx68

Hey, thanks again Mox!!

A SNAP Server is a ready to go network storage add-on all-in-one HDD/OS/NIC appliance. I think they use a UNIX OS in the background to run it. Basically it allows you to go out and buy this ready to go appliance and simply plug it into your network. It comes in different storage capacities and is managed via IP Address (Web Browser). Normally found in medium to larger networks. It would probably come under the category of NAS (Network Attached Storage). It also allows pods of these appliances to be managed centrally.

To be honest I understand the concept better than I know this actual product. This particular product is a HP brand Name - "SNAP" (I think).

Hope that kinda explains it.

Merlyn