So I have been faced with the task of configuring and setting up a new storage server.

We have finally gotten to the point where we need a dedicated server to hold a few hundred gigabytes of data that is mostly employee documents, videos, music, programs, etc.

Currently it has been on one of our main servers sharing space with other running applications and services, but this can no longer continue and space is beginning to wear thin.

My questions are as follows:

1. What kind of server would be best for multiple users who would be constantly accessing it to retrieve and store many types of files?
2. What OS would work best for a storage server and do I need to get a license for each user?
3. What kind of processor, ram, special components would this server need in order to quickly handle requests from multiple workstations and also be used to install programs on new machines?
4. Anyone have something similar in their company already that they feel works great...or that they hate?

It seems that every company I have talked to (Dell, IBM, Insight, PC Mall) each have their own idea on what would be best suited for this type of situation. Some have more modest servers they believe can do the job (similar to a backup server) and some want us to drop up to 10K on a beast of a machine that can grow to multiple TB and more if needed.

I could use some advice if you have any to drop on me. Thank you.