What's a good box to serve files on my local network, cross platform?

Posted by rogpeppe on Super User See other posts from Super User or by rogpeppe
Published on 2010-08-12T16:03:28Z Indexed on 2011/01/16 0:55 UTC
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Windows

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osx

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home-server

I've installed CAT5e cable and gigabit switches in my house with the goal of having an "always-on" file server in the loft, accessible to both my macbook and my partner's Windows box. I'd like to find a solution which:

uses minimal power.
allows me to access as much disk bandwidth as possible.
provides glitch-free file access to both MacOS and Windows.
is as cheap as possible, while remaining reliable.

Optional, but desirable extras: software or hardware RAID; open source solutions.

A SheevaPlug with eSATA seems one possibility, but I'm sure there are any number of other good options.

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