karatchov's questions

I would like to build a file server for backups. The server needs to be available 24/7 in a mixed Windows/Linux network, but service should not exceed 1 hour per day. Thats why power consumption is my main priority.

What do you think is the best hardware to build it? What about software ? do you suggest a Linux distribution ?

Edit1: The server should take 1 to 4 terabyte drives, I'm not aiming at speed, redundancy is not a must, but will be appreciated if not very costly. My budget is kind of limited.

Edit2: If I can get a router or a wireless access point to do this job (using USB ports, and probably a modified firmware), then it would be a great idea. Any suggestion ?

I have an ubnutu server connected to internet by an ethernet cable to a router. I would like to share the Internet connection by a Wifi usb dongle connected to the server.

What are the possible ways to setup the server as a wifi access point?

The router is running a dhcp server, and I would like that wifi clients get their ip directly from the router without any "routing" in the ubuntu box.

I would like to install 2 completely independent instances of Windows XP (no data should be shared) in my computer within 2 different primary partitions. I know that grub can handle booting them correctly, but I have no idea if it's possible to install it and configure it within a 100% NTFS system and without any extra linux partition/distribution.