Simple File/Media Server with Slacko 6.3.0

[WiZard]

This is a "how to" for making a simple home file/media server using Puppy Slacko 6.3.0. Slacko was chosen because it already contains the key packages needed.

The test server was built using a 2003 vintage laptop with a 2ghz Pentium 4 and 512kb ram. It took less than an hour to set up. Here's an idea on it's performance.

The server is connected to a home network router which has wifi. The client machines are a mix of hardwired and wireless computers, android phones or tablets. The most demanding use is video streaming. The test mp4 video files are about 500mb to 1.5gb each and are encoded at about 500-2000kb/s.

Tested with three users streaming movies, two hardwired and one wireless all using VLC player:

Streaming bitrate = 500-2000kb/s
Ram usage = 88mb
CPU usage = 5%-20%
CPU temperature = 40C

Audio and video are perfect. Also allows at least three users to stream the same movie.

Server power use when idle = 20 watts.
In my area this would equate to about $20 US per year running 24/7.

My conclusion is that this kind of simple server is inexpensive, works very well and is easy to set up.