Ubuntu Server and Webmin NAS File Server

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Revision as of 04:21, 28 November 2009 by Jondecker76 (Talk | contribs) (Setting Up Your Webmin NAS)

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Why a Webmin/*buntu based NAS?

There are a lot options to make your own fileserver for use with LinuxMCE. Many people use FreeNAS to set up great little NAS servers for use with LinuxMCE. However, there are several advantages of using Webmin to administer your own NAS fileserver:

  • Installs over top of Ubuntu Server, Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Xubuntu easily. This means that it can run transparently on you Ubuntu desktop computer for example. In my usage, I have installed webmin over a Kubuntu-8.10 computer, which also doubles as my development builder. This isn't possible with FreeNAS.
  • FreeNAS throughput has been shown in many tests to have lower throughput than other NAS servers (this includes Ubuntu installtions running Webmin)
  • Webmin has a nice, web-based interface to do pretty much anything you need on a Linux server
  • Webmin also lets your run other server software easily, such as Apache, MySQL, etc.


How to Install

The first thing you must do, obviously, is decide what you are going to install Webmin on. It will run well on all flavors of Ubuntu. For the lightest installation possible, install webmin on Ubuntu Server.

1)Install your base Ubuntu Server (or preferred flavor of Ubuntu)onto your PC

2) Go to the Webmin website [www.webmin.com] and download the latest .deb installer file.

3) Install the webmin .deb package. If you are using Ubuntu Server and have no GUI, you can do this from the command prompt. For example:

sudo dpkg -i webmin_1.490_all.deb

4) Congratulations, you're finished installing Webmin and its now ready to set up!


Setting Up Your Webmin NAS

First, install the software we will need to have a fully functioning NAS server.

sudo apt-get install openssh-server mdadm perl openssl samba


Webmin is a web-based server management system, so you will need access to a web browser on the same network as your new Webmin machine (or a web browser on the Webmin machine its self). YOu will need to know the IP address of your Webmin box.

In your web browser, navigate to <your_ip_address>:10000. On my installtion for example, this ended up being:

192.168.80.200:10000

You will be brought to a page explaing that SSL is enabled. Click on the link provided to go to the SSL encrypted management site. It is normal if you get some warnings about teh SSL certificate. Acknowledge the warnings and add an exemption if you would like.

Next you will be brought to a login page. Login with the credentials you used when you installed Ubuntu Server. Once you do, you should be in the Webmin web interface.