Print/File server (small)

[knight_rider]

Hello,

I am a newbie to Linux, but am experienced with Windows.

I want to setup a linux server in my home, but I have no idea what distro I should use, so am hoping for some guidance. I love the look of FreeNAS, but it does'nt do print server!!

Must Have:

Run off a USB Flash Drive
File share with Windows (I want to backup to it)
Be a print server to a laser printer (USB interface)
Be remotely controlled once it is setup(don't have a spare screen and it's going in a spare room/corner BUT I will need to use a GUI for setup)
Free (thats why I won't use Windows)
Run OK on a P3


Preferred:
Power management
Wireless adapter compatible

So yeah, if you could give me some guidance I'd appreciate it. I will need it to be not too difficult to set up!!! I haven't got time for a lengthy learning curve!!

Thanks, and if you need more details, please ask!!!

Donald

[werner]

This is what I did last year for work. I tried debian etch but found it did not support some of the hardware (wireless). So I installed lenny. One thing you want to to is enable contrib and non-free in your /etc/apt/sources.lst. This will give you access to more packages. At install, select the file server and print server options along with desktop.
Download gadmin-samba, which is a gui samba config tool. The printer can be setup with a browser. Point it to "http://localhost:631/admin" to configure.

Do the initial setup in gui mode. Below is a link that really helped me in my setup:

Sharing Printers With Windows PCs

[Bemk]

I use Ubuntu 8.04 server for similar tasks.

It doesn't have a GUI setup, but it works ok.

If you do want to have a GUI, use the commands:

apt-get install xorg gnome2

This will install a gnome desktop environment.