you can choose almost any type of filesystem and run linux, most distro's use ext3 or reiserfs.
ext3 is a well performing journaling filesystem, tried and tested.
reiserfs is in some cases faster (also journaling), but development has stalled lately.
I recommend using ext3, this will serve you well enough.
as for the backup etc., this will be transparent to the client systems. OS X will mount your shares using samba (CIFS) fine. You can also create a small script for automounting your drives on a Mac.
Go to Programs, Applescript
Add an applescript and copy the below stuff in it:
Code: Select all
tell application "Finder"
mount volume "smb://WORKGROUP;username:password@hda/<directory>"
end tell
be careful: you will need to set the WORKGROUP, username & password correctly! You can replace <directory> with music, pictures, movies or a share you've created yourself.
save the file as an executable in your home folder.
set it ro run everytime you logon to your computer in System preferences -> Accounts -> Login item -> add the file you've just created.
reboot your Mac to see if the drive comes up at boot.
