Best method for using old computer as file storage (XP sharing, VPN, FreeNAS, etc.)

In My Humble Opinion
1

Since i got a new computer a little while back, my old desktop is now sitting idle and i want to use it as either a file server or some other form of network attached storage. I’m trying to work out, though, which setup would be best to use.

The hardware:
[ul]
[li]Dell Dimension 8300[/li][li]Intel Pentium IV 3.0GHz[/li][li]2GB RAM[/li][li]1 x 320GB HDD[/li][li]1 x 750GB HDD[/li][li]Linksys WRT54G router with Tomato firmware[/li][/ul]
The software possibilities:
[ol]
[li]Windows XP Pro with basic network file-sharing setup[/li][li]Windows XP Pro with VPN[/li][li]Ubuntu 9.10 with SAMBA network sharing[/li][li]FreeNAS[/li][/ol]
Requirements for the system:
[ul]
[li]act as a backup for other computers in the house (Macbook Pro OS 10.5; dual-boot desktop Windows 7/Ubuntu 9.10; dual-boot netbook Windows XP Home/Ubuntu 9.10)[/li][li]be accessible from outside the home network, i.e., need to be able to use it when we’re on the road[/li][li]need the ability to wake the system from Standby or Hibernate using Wake on LAN or something similar[/li][/ul]
My initial preference was for FreeNAS. It’s free, takes up virtually no space on the drive, and i don’t really need to have a regular operating system on the old computer. The only thing that might put me off it is the last point, listed above: the issue of being able to wake it up remotely.

While the Tomato firmware on my router has a Wake on LAN function, the network adapter and BIOS on my old computer are, as far as i can tell, too old to support WOL from a full OFF position. And from what i’ve been able to gather, FreeNAS doesn’t have a Standby or Hibernate stage that would support remote waking. In WinXP, i can go into the device manager and set the network adapter to wake the computer from Standby on receiving a Magic Packet; i’ve tested this with my router and it works fine.

This seems, at the moment, like it’s probably the best solution, but i thought i’d throw it over to the Dopers and see if anyone had any other suggestions, or if anyone can think of anything that i haven’t yet considered. Any input appreciated.

2

SME Server - although like FreeNAS it does not support Suspend/Hibernate/WOL. However, as a local server (or, with a second network card, a gateway device) it is wonderfully flexible and reliable.

Mine runs 24x7 on an old Dell desktop, stores all our music, photos and documents, runs a business website, VPN, a web tunnel that allows me unfettered internet access from a restrictive work network, print server, usenet downloads, manages our media streaming and all our email. The additional power use is a small price to pay for the convenience of all the services it supplies.

Si

3

How about Windows Home Server? Again, it doesn’t support Wake On LAN for itself. But it will backup your XP boxes

4

That certainly looks like a candidate. I’ll check it out and see how it compares to FreeNAS for ease of use, flexibility, etc.

I have no objection in principle to this, except that Windows Home Server costs money and, with money a little tight right now, i’d prefer not to spend anything on getting this set up, if i can help it. All my other options are either free (Ubuntu, FreeNAS, SME, etc.), or are things that i already have (WinXP).

I think i might play around a bit and try each one to see which works best. The hard drives on the old computer are currently empty and all my files are backed up elsewhere, so i can afford to try a few things before settling on a final solution.

Thanks for the advice.