Server OS advice

[golf-sib]

I'm after a server os that will fit my needs for a SOHO environment, but at the same time be easy to use. I tried using MS server 2003 but I could not get foldersharing to work even though I was easily able to set it up on a win7 and XP machine.

The functions I need it to carry out are:
Foldersharing
Print server for 1 printer
Web hosting with FTP (this is only really to host two-three small website for test/internal purposes and to log on to download files off server).
Email server for 10-15 emails.

Work load is not huge, just really looking for something easy to use or a simple learning curve as Unix is completely alien to me.

[Ridg]

XP Pro

[golf-sib]

XP Pro

Was thinking that, but there's the 10 connection limit on XP which seems to be a bottleneck.

[Ridg]

XP Pro

Was thinking that, but there's the 10 connection limit on XP which seems to be a bottleneck.

with that many users you're not really looking at a SOHO solution, you're probably going to need to either figure out windows server 

[golf-sib]

I was informed that the connection limit is not a count of how many users/PC's are linked to it. Plus don't XP have a maximum staying on period?

With the servers I didn't know if server nt, 2000, 2008 or the new home server are easier to work out or use.

I don't mind learning/working it out just wanted to know where the easiest start point on the windows front is. If that makes sense that would also meet my needs.

[Jay]

Have you added the file server role from 'Manage your server'? You'll need to do that for Print Server too.

I'd suggest 2008/2011 SBS.

Very easy to use, provides all the same functions of a normal server but with a Wizard to set it all up and comes with Exchange email 

Don't forget to add in extra Shadow Copies so you have more than the default 7am and 12noon Shadow Copies


Edited: Don't want the feds seeing that bit

[golf-sib]

Not enabled it in the manage the server bit, I suppose that would help.

what's a shadow copy?

[Jay]

If a file on the server gets deleted you can recover it easily without restoring from daily backups
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_Copy

[Organisys]

For your needs MS SBS as already suggested.

[golf-sib]

Thanks, any over sound advice for servers?

Also what am I better off using the IIS service, or a Wamp package with Apache, SQL and control panel for webhosting. Either way I will need to install Apache and MySQL.