FreeNAS: a free Network-attached storage (NAS) server

It supports following protocols:
=> CIFS (Samba) - Mac / UNIX / Windows can use CIFS to store files
=> FTP
=> NFS
=> Rsync
=> AFP

You can use local user authentication, and software RAID (0,1,5), with a web-based configuration interface.
You can install software on hard disk or flash drive. A sample setup:
* Intel 1.7Ghz Celeron
* 1GB SDRam
* 3 x 80GB IDE Hard disk
* 10/100/1000 Mbps Lan Card
* Raid 5 with FreeNAS (Highest Read data transaction as I need to read lots of files such as MP3 / Photos and other data)
* BIOS is configured to boot from USB pen and w/o monitor / keyboard
* D-Link Gigabit Ethernet 8 Port Switche and Wireless AP router

FreeNAS is easy to use and perfect for building a low cost home file server, it can be used as:
=> Home Music / Media Server
=> Home Backup Server
=> Home Ftp Server
, etc.