Building a Home File Server, IRC Server, and Web Server

Recently I’ve been planning on building a file server/IRC Server/Web server of some sort for my home network – so I can access files throughout the network without always having to transfer them over it as well as being able to from over the web.  While this is a good thing it is also a good learning experience.  Currently I have a home network and on my older machine I setup a network drive, which is fine, but I’m looking for a little more than just that. 

Okay, so you might be asking what OS (Operating System) I plan to use for this project.  Well, the answer is Debian.  Debian as some of you may know is what the popular Linux distro Ubuntu is based off of.  I’ve spoken to a good friend of mine Phil who I talk to a lot on IRC and he highly recommends Debian.  Aside from that, I have used it before when I setup my previous IRC server and it was great.  Easy to install as well as use. 

However, since then they updated it to a new ‘version’ if you will, called Etch.  Which I have heard is rock solid and stable.  Anyway, that’s the OS I plan to use for this project.  Now as for the specs of the machine – well they’re pretty decent.  It’s a Intel P4 2.0Ghz, 1GB of RAM, and two Hard drives 1.) 300GB and 2.) 40GB.  I’ll most likely be spanning the install making /home on the 300GB drive so it has plenty of room and all the rest of the stuff on the 40GB.  The IRC Server will be running Unreal IRCd and Anope Services for anyone who was wondering.  I’ll post with updates as things unfold.