Remote access to a linux system via Windows XP

[Natael]

This is my first post, had some huge fail on my google-fu (as well as some just not know exactly what I need to look for), and mostly need some help figuring out what it is I'm going to have to look for.

Just built a new, cheap machine (still pretty decent though, so shouldent have any performance issue running any distro) that I intend to use for learning linux, as well as use as an easily accessible remote hard drive (I'm guessing that server would be the right term). Also intend to use it as a home media player (going to hook it up to my TV and speakers, let it run movies and music).

I can leave the box on at home, and wish to be able to access it anywhere I go. Of course I'll need some good security capabilities as well. Setting it up so I can only access it from my Windows XP laptop, regardless of the network/IP it is connected to, would be pretty sufficient. Just knowing what I should specifically go for should let me find some guides online, though links to anything would be appreciated.

Have not decided on a distro yet, though can likely figure it out on my own, any recommendation based on security/network functionality would definitely be appreciated though. I may wind up using one of the -buntu distros (based on which DE I want), though would prefer something I can learn to build a bit more (considering Gentoo, straight Debian, or trying to get Arch to work again, have a friend that'll probably push me toward Fedora).

Also will be setting it up to test some basic java software I'll be writing, so anything with JRE/JDE issues (which I am not so sure any of them would have JRE issues) would be avoided.

Thank you all,
Natael

[DT0X]

I am slightly biased but I would recommend CentOS as your distro - its stable, has loads of community support (through Fedora & RH users) and can do everything youre looking for.

As for the remote access I would use FreeNX or VNC (FreeNX uses slightly better compression for working over the internet remotely). You can tunnel these connections over SSH to encrypt the session (using Putty as your Windows SSH client) and to lock down remote access look at PORTKNOCKING - A system for stealthy authentication across closed ports. : ABOUT : summary

Good luck, feel free to ask anything more or for details about anything I mentioned above.

[Rubberman]

I generally agree with DTOX. I use CentOS for media work all the time. It is stable, reliable, and well supported. It is basically Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Community Edition. IE, RHEL with the logos replaced...

[Natael]

Sounds good, I'll hit up CentOS. I've got a coworker/friend that knows Fedora pretty well, so I should be able to get some good information off him pretty easily. I'll be able to poke around some specifics of said programs within the next few days.

EDIT:

I'm not sure which file system I should partition the drive to, as I'm going to be using it as a server and need Windows machines to be able to read it.

Thanks you,
Natael