My needs are simple, but so is my Linux knowledge.
I’m considering entering the world of plug-computing to run a server at home that needs to:
• Have NAS functionality – i.e. fileshares accessible from Windows PCs to anyone and everyone on the LAN (no need for user authentication)
• Run a Torrent client
• Share a printer – accessible from Windows PCs to anyone and everyone on the LAN
My knowledge of Linux is rather limited. I have done some command line stuff like creating and mounting a few volumes / shares, mostly just copy-typed step-by-step. Used to be pretty handy with DOS back in the day though and quite happy to ascend the learning curve.
I’ve been doing a fair bit of homework on this and each option below seems to have its pros and cons. With this in mind, would folk recommend:
• Sheevaplug dev-kit – implementing Arch Linux ARM (with, I guess, SAMBA, CUPS and Transmission) together with the aforementioned learning curve. Do the ones shipping currently still have power supply issues?
• Dockstar – as above, recognising the more limited hardware but I should be able to land it considerably cheaper.
• Tonidoplug – with its apparently rather cumbersome and heavy-footprint way to get a print server running on it (from what I have been able to find anyway) , and a whole lot of apps I don’t need, and still quite a bit to learn.
• Pogoplug – with no native torrent client, and again a whole lot of apps I don’t need
• Any others I should consider (GuruPlug, DreamPlug)?
Budget is a consideration, other than the Dockstar, each of the above seems to be about a $100 and looks like I’m stuck with a $40!!!! freight charge to get it shipped to New Zealand (note to self, buy some FedEx shares). I can’t really afford any more than $140.