How Does One Create A Small Linux Network?

Overview/Goals
I have several computers on the same physical network but they do not currently talk to each other. Initially I want them to do simple file/data sharing, later on I may be adding a Virtulization Server and a Sun-Grid server. I have no idea how to accomplish this (networking) and need help getting started.

Currently I spend ALOT of time trying to move/manage/syncronize my data using ad-hoc methods.I know I need real network, beyond that I'm rather lost and don't know where to begin. I'm hoping someone here can get me pointed in the right direction to networking-zen.

Questions
- What network componets do I need? (eg. domain controller, file-server, authentication server, ???)
- What Servers do I need (Samba, ldap, kerbose, novell-somthing, zfs, nfs, nsa???)
- Does creating a Windows-Forest require an EPA-permit, particularly if there is no vista in-sight?

linux-server
My linux-box has a fresh copy of OpenSuse-11-Beta-3, it will be the "network server" for all networking-magic and managment. It has an extra harddrive I want to levarage as a common file-sharing repository.

Other Requirments:
Authentication - Each system already has a user account. But I will need some kind of common-authentication system so I can easily share resources from one system to the next across the network.

File-Shareing - Common file-shareing repo as noted above.
- Also want to easily share random files from one workstation to another as needed.
- Also will be adding a real NAS soon.


Current-Hardware
x86-Linux-Box (the server)
x86-Windows XP-Pro Workstation
x86-Windows XP-Pro Laptop/Workstation w/ andLinux installed.

Future Hardware / Requirments:
Router: SonicWall TZ-150 (this week)
http://www.firewalls.com/sonicwall-tz-150.asp

NAS: (possibly)Buffalo Tech: TerraStation II (asap)
http://www.buffalotech.com/products/networ...o-ii-rackmount/

Backup Unit: SonicWall 1440i (as soon as $$$ allows)
http://www.sonicwall.com/us/products/backu...d_recovery.html

Open-Solaris Workstation:
- Working on getting a used Pentium-4 to play with.
- Looking to buy AMD-Opteron(x86) based Sun-Microsystems Workstations (Running OpenSolaris)

Sun-Server:
If the year goes well, I will be adding a Sun-Server for:
- Virtualization-Server
- Grid-Computing Server


Much Thanks,
RavenSlay3r

take a look here, it will be a fairly long read, but should help you out

http://www.swerdna.net.au/linux.html

Don't know off hand what Solaris/Sun is in terms of compatibility with your existing windows + Linux computers. But the existing plus the proposed NAS & backup & router seem quite compatible with Samba/windows interoperability in Workgroup mode. There's not enough there IMHO to warrant servers in the windows sense of the word "server". And you seem to be purchasing security with the firewalled router -- should work as a Workgroup + Linux security add ons

Swerdna

If you want to do some serious work get 10.3 the stable version.
As the name suggests 11 is still beta and not guaranteed to be stable.

/Geoff

Geoffro
Thanks for the warning. While my knowledge of application-layer networking is weak, I'm comfortable in Linux, and would trust a SUSE-Beta over a Windows-SP2 any day. I have been submitting bugs to bugzilla as I encounter them, and consider this an acceptable risk for the next "30 days" and counting. :-)

I might add that I'm a freelance software-developer and this is my SOHO network that I rely on (or would if it worked). So I do want to do real-work, but I have a certain amount of flexibility. At least by reporting the bugs I find, I can tell myself I contributed back to the community. I'm sure the truth of that is debatable.

swerdna
- Thanks for the reassurance, and that router better provide security! :-P
- What would be a common determining factor in whether I need a windows "workgroup" or "server"?
- What would constitute a "server" in the non-windows sense of the word? Do I need one?
- I take it I should start out with looking at Samba as a "Windows workgroup"

Contributing to my confusion: I'm not sure what are the REAL building blocks that would be fundamental to all computer networks, and what are artificially created Microsoft fantasy-land standards.

thestig
Thanks for the recommended reading. I will attack it this afternoon/evening.

Good responses so far, thankyou!

- What would be a common determining factor in whether I need a windows "workgroup" or "server"?
[/b]

Numbers of member workstations, maybe worth it for 20+ workstations to administer them (in a windows world) with, say, windows server 2003. And also whether you can trust the users of the LAN. If you can't trust the users you screw down their privileges with a windows server. But in Linux there are many ways to do that in a workgroup scenario. The only reason to go to a windows-style server is IMHO if you have succumbed to the microsoft marketing campaign.

- What would constitute a "server" in the non-windows sense of the word? Do I need one?
[/b]

A server is a machine that maintains services for client machines. So if you share anything from a workstation across a network, it's a "server".

- I take it I should start out with looking at Samba as a "Windows workgroup"
[/b]

IMHO yes

Contributing to my confusion: I'm not sure what are the REAL building blocks that would be fundamental to all computer networks, and what are artificially created Microsoft fantasy-land standards.
[/b]

I believe that microsoft have quite literally restructured society by creating the Information Age with their truly amazing networking technologies. I do not like the soulless, scrabbling society that goes with it. In summary I can't answer your question objectively.

Swerdna

(Samba, ldap, kerbose, novell-somthing, zfs, nfs, nsa???)[/b]

NAS is very often samba based or can be ftp. If you have RAID 5 then you don't need to buy extra stuff. However very nice NAS systems are from HP.
zfs is file system. not relevant
novell-something - don't know what is it?
nsa - National Security Agency?
ldap - if a lot of users and want to configure PDC/BDC
kerberos - secure authentication along ldap

first, I would suggest to read a little. It will make much easier for you to decide what do you want and why. I am not dismissing your question, but you will profit more from all suggestions if you will know something about networking solutions.

20+ workstations to administer them[/b]

go for PDC, it is really easier to administer and control than simple workgroups. With workgroups you can't really control anything.