Windows Home Server functionality in OMV

I'm a newbie with a Windows & Windows Home Server background, trying to learn all of this new language. Obviously, most folks in this forum speak Linux-ese, but very little English .

I know from hours of perusing this forum that what I am about to say is very old hat, but here goes.

I have run Windows Home Server since 2007 on an HP MediaSmart server. As of October 1, 2016 that server died. I have no intention of going back to any Microsoft-based server solution so they can stick it to my checkbook . So after some Googling I have come to looking at either FreeNAS or OMV for a replacement, to put on my new Dell T20 PowerEdge. But I really like the simplicity that WHS gave me for: 1) client backups on a scheduled basis and sensing when clients were available, or warning me that they hadn't been backed up after a certain amount of time; 2) file storage and sharing, user permissions, etc. (duh); 3) alerting me to server issues that might affect the network; 4) remote access to get to my files over the web; and 5) attaching a USB external backup drive (that has successfully saved all of my files from the server crash).

I can’t find any "normal" language on either the FreeNAS nor this OMV site that can answer these simple questions. I can only assume that what I’m reading answers a couple of things (like #2 and #4) but all the developer jargon has me confused and I can’t tell if my five things above, simple as they seem, are all answered.

It looks like OMV beats out FreeNAS, but I can’t tell if I get all the stated functionality I addressed.

Any help out there for my simple mind?

Thanks Ryecoaaron, for replying so quickly. Gheez, I wish there were a Linux lexicon to explain what all these terms mean and what the apps do. But I'll struggle through it.

Do all of these items that address my questions come as user friendly GUI's or are they command line type stuff?

So, on #4, WHS had a URL that provided a GUI that took me to the server, requiring login/password protocol, and then provided me with shared folder access. Simple. Do any of your recommendations provide a user-friendly GUI for web access?

On #1, the client piece (called WHSconnector) interacted with the server, but the server controlled when backups would occur. I agree that it would be better for the client to initiate, but it would be good for OMV to notify that a "registered" client hadn't backed up recently. Maybe a plug-in for that? Your UrBackup Server plugin sounds interesting.

#5 answer is confusing me a bit. You mention three different things; usbbackup plugin, rsync, rsnapshot. Use all three?

You're responses have been great!! I think I'm getting there, with some understanding (and a bit of confidence)!

OK. So it sounds like all I need is OwnCloud or that plus winscp? Or did I miss something?

Beyond the features we've been discussing, another point of confusion when reading all the threads is what file system to use. CIFS, with or without ZFS, NFS, ???? I have multiple Windows PC clients and one MacBook Pro client that will be looking at the shared folders and files. What to do, what to do? Also, I was hoping to install the OS on a USB thumb drive, but it sounds like I should use a small SSD drive. My PowerEdge has space for that but I'll need to get an adapter kit to mount it in the chassis. What do you think?

Thanks ryecoaaron & tekkb. Very helpful. I'll check out both backup solutions, and also look at what ext4 is and how it stacks up. Thank you.

BTW, I have put 20GB of memory in my T20 PowerEdge and will be using my 4 1TB drives (small operator, right?), so I could handle the ZFS file system, if you think it's superior.

Yikes! So, during the installation of OMV it couldn't configure DHCP so I said configure it later. Now I'm at the step to find a mirror of the Debian archive, and of course, I can't get to the Internet, so I get the "Bad archive mirror" error. What do I do now?

Never mind about the DHCP setup. My Ethernet cable's clip broke off and the cable had become dislodged. Replaced with a good cable and all is well. Sheesh!

OK. I've gotten all the way through the installation and have booted from my USB thumb drive (32G) successfully - I think. But now it's at the black and white screen saying "root@<my vault name>:~#" and there it sits. It was at my vault name login and asked for my login and password, stating the basic default that 'admin' and 'openmediavault' and when I put those in they apparently didn't work. I tried admin and the password I thought I set during setup, but that didn't work. So then I put in "root" and my root password and got that "root@<my vault name>:~#" line.

I'm stumped

Maybe I have to do the entire installation over again?