Looking for a WHS alternative, please convince me

[dvdesign]

Ive been researching WHS for a while, and just recently considered a NAS or home built linux server. The problem is i am having trouble finding a pre-packaged linux solution and i dont want to invest large amounts of time into setting something up. I am familiar with linux only through using Ubuntu Desktop occassionaly.

My needs from a server are as follows;

-File Share with Windows based pc's
-Centralized backup solution (automated/scheduled backup of other computers nice but not needed)
-Headless (ability to remote config)

Other desired but not overly important features id like;

-Run Tversity
-Run PS3 Media Server
-Possibly run a VM to test software and os's in
-Some bit torrent downloading software that can be run remotely

Thats basically what i hope to accomplish, how easily could i hope to accomplish the above with Amahi? If i want to test Amahi in a VM, whats a good free VM to try it with?

How well would Amahi run on a system based on a Atom or Via C7 processor? Can Amahi run off of a CF card or usb drive?

Thanks in advance, i plan on searching the forums and such for answers, but i just came accross this distro and its late, figured i might get a head start asking these questions. Id really like to work with a linux/free solution for a server, i hate the idea of giving Microsoft a penny.

[dvdesign]

-File Share with Windows based pc's Check
-Centralized backup solution (automated/scheduled backup of other computers nice but not needed) Check
-Headless (ability to remote config) Check

Other desired but not overly important features id like;

-Run Tversity ?
-Run PS3 Media Server ?
-Possibly run a VM to test software and os's in ?
-Some bit torrent downloading software that can be run remotely Check

I finally had some time to check the wiki and do a little digging. It seems like file sharing out of the box is relatively easy to setup, and it looks like with my network backups both selective and drive images will be taken care of by windows 7 (and just backup to a share on the server). It seems webmin & VPN are supported so leaving the server headless shouldnt be an issue.

In my not so important desires it seems thats a bit more of a grey area...bit torrenting remotely shouldnt be an issue as i saw to apps that provide this, but the first 3 (VM's, Tversity, PS3) im not sure about yet. By all means not a deal breaker, but it would be nice if i could get that going easily too.

The only thing that really concerns me is that no one responded to this post. That doesnt look good to the new comers when they need reassurance that if they dive into this they wont be alone, with no help (especially seeing as you have a section for such inquiry). I sure hope that if i decide to use Amahi and run into trouble, that i can come here and hope for a supportive community.

Also id still like to know if anyone has a recommendation for a free VM to test Amahi in. Im using a Intel P7350 processor on windows 7, no hardware virtualization support, but i have 4GB RAM should work ok.

[cpg]

i'm pretty sure you did not get a response because it was too long. shorter, single-topic questions work better (mehtinks).

the irc channel at http://talk.amahi.org is fairly active most of the 24 hours of the day

tversity? dunno. please report back!

is this a client? not haivng tried it, i am not sure how it should work with amahi, i.e. how can they help each other.

ps3 media server - several people want it, however, we have not had anyone step up.

VM environments:

- virtualbox
- vmware server (get licenses free)

[dvdesign]

Thanks cpg, Ive downloaded Virtual Box and just finished downloading the Fedora DVD. Ill give it all a try and let you know how it goes.

[dvdesign]

Well virtual box seems like its fairly easy to use, i installed that, but soon found that the 4GB Fedora 10 x86-64 iso i downloaded could not install (in VM) because my cpu doesnt have VT-X or AMD-V, so im re-downloading Fedora 32 bit this time.

So for anyone reading this and considering trying it in Virtual Box make sure you have hardware virtualization for 64bit or that you download the 32bit version.

[cpg]

hmmmm, i did not know that. why would it not require vm hardware support in 32 bits?
(is host cpu 32b?)

[moredruid]

if you run a 32bit OS you can't virtualize more than 1 CPU in 64bit. Some kind of limitation in V-box. Not sure how the virtualisation is done: paravirtualized or full.

[dvdesign]

Virtualbox and other VM's cannot virtualize a 64bit os without hardware virtualization according to VirtualBox documentation.

I have a 64bit host, but my cpu does not support hardware virtualization...32bit installed just fine.

[dvdesign]

Well bad news is i dont think im going to continue with Amahi, i think WHS doesnt really have any viable competition now and i may be stuck using that.

In all fairness im sure trying to install amahi in a VM complicated things...but i think linux in general was not meant for the average person to use in a home scenario. Things that should be easy (or made easy) turn out to be a long process of typing commands.

I think Amahi has potential, but i just cant see it being used even by the enthusiast who doesnt have a working knowledge of linux. I would consider myself more then just an average computer user, being as i work in the field (just not with linux)...but even for me setting this up became a bit much.

Its just my opinion that the home page and features page really do alot to sell Amahi, but i think alot of it is misleading, and the documentation is pretty poor all around. I understand the reasons for it, but it doesnt really excuse it. A pretty good example is a link i was given when i asked how to turn of DHCP and DNS in Amahi and was given the following link:
http://www.amahi.org/faq#can-i-disable- ... -amahi-hda

The first line tells you to goto "Setup --> Applications --> Server". Either "Server" doesnt exsist, or its not in an obvious place because i spent 10mins looking for it and did not find it. Possibly i over looked it...but thats my point, things like this should be in obvious paces like under the network tab, and even if its not the documentation should explain in detail step-by-step how to find it.

The writers of the documentaion presume that people have a deeper understanding of linux then most people actually do.

Maybe im being harsh, and maybe the community will read this and just tell me to go take a hike, but ive said all the above in an effort to give you feedback that you may be able to use to develop Amahi into a more friendly product. I really am rooting for the open source/free alternative to run with it...but its hard to support something that isnt easy to use and doesnt work without a lot of tweaking and configuration based on preassumed knowledge.

Thanks to all who helped me along the way. Ill check back on Amahi in the future hopefully by then its more user friendly

[cpg]

first:

The first line tells you to goto "Setup --> Applications --> Server". Either "Server" doesnt exsist, or its not in an obvious place

this was my bad, as it needs Advanced settings to be on, which now has been corrected (you did not even say it was not there in the chat as we were walking you through the process hand in hand!).

second, you come in with a slanted attitude of "convince me" to use a free product that you think competes with an expensive product of one of the largest companies in the world based on a monopoly, and that it costs money and does not provide support.

third: you are trying to do something that is WELL outside what the instructions say it's supported (we do not officially support VMs, and most certainly not for noobs or "5 yeard old" level noobs, as you stated yourself). good luck in doing the same thing with WHS! if you want to try amahi, follow

fourth: as mentioned in our chat, you are the kind of user that we aim to please long term. the typical use r who is trying to do something well outside what is supported (VM, running NAT with DCHP in the router), who does not read the information given to him, and who is trying something non-trivial akin to a kid running around with a loaded weapon. using a VM with NAT enabled and trying to access http://hda or the other apps from a machine *outside* of the VM is just a symptom that you don't really know what's going on and perhaps this is not something you should be trying to do yet until you learn more about networking (again - try the same thing with other products to see how far you get). i think your time if far too valuable to be spending on something like amahi.

all things said, i think this is an obvious eye opener of how far amahi is from mainstream and your feedback is very much appreciated.

don't worry, we'll get you some day.