Ever wanted to run a server from your own home, using a spare or older PC? Hopefully this guide will help you get started. This doesn't get into using any other operating systems other than Windows- it's meant as a guide for beginners.

This method can be used to run a game server (LAN or WAN), an FTP server, or even a webserver.

Obviously, apart from the hardware, you will need select software to make this happen. Here is a list of some of the software I use:

• Windows 2000 Professional (SP4). Any of the latter server editions work fine, but I prefer Windows 2000.
• Atomic Clock Utility
• Bandwidth Monitor Pro (great for monitoring network usage at certain times, etc. Has graphs and the like- very useful.
• Zone Alarm Free Firewall. Basic utility to moderate network traffic, although any other simple firewall will work great.
• FileZilla (for hosting an FTP server)
• Any other software you may want to use (i.e. game server software, etc.)

It's not necessary, but I like to do a fresh OS install when I'm setting this up. It equates to minimal problems and issues in the long run. After you have your network set up, install your firewall promptly, and then the atomic clock. Then, install the remaining software based on your needs.

You server will now be accessible from your IP Address. You can find out your server's IP by going here: http://www.whatismyip.org/

If it is a webserver, it will be accessible by typing something in your browser resembling "http://00.000.00.000" where the zeros are replaced by your actual IP address.
If it is an FTP server it will be accessible from a browser by typing in something resembling "ftp://ftp.00.000.00.000/", where the zeros are replaced by your actual IP address.
How to access your server remotely are also further described in these actual utilities, just read the help/tips and it should be smooth sailing.

Giving out your IP is generally not recommended/is unsafe, not to mention a hassle for people to type in. You may want to sign up at http://www.no-ip.com/. According to their site:



This service is great and I used to use it when I had my server. If you don't mind spending a few dollars, you can head to http://namecheap.com or http://godaddy.com and purchase your own .com/.net/.org domain name, usually for under $10. (Hopefully more on setting this up in the future)

On the hardware side, I feel that closing unnecessary processes aids in the performance of the server. You probably won't need processes such and printing, sound, and decent video on your server, so make sure these processes are closed and keep video settings to a minimum.


Links

Filezilla - http://filezilla.sourceforge.net/
Appserv - http://appserv.sourceforge.net/
Atomic Clock - http://www.worldtimeserver.com/atomic-clock/
Bandwidth Monitor - http://www.bandwidthmonitorpro.com/
ZoneAlarm Free - http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/cata...&lid=nav_za
NO-IP Dynamic DNS client - http://www.no-ip.com/downloads.php

 

 

 

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That is a great idea, but what about people that don't have a spare pc just lying around there home? my suggestion is apache server! it runs as a service in the background of your pc and can be just as good as any standalone pc servers.

it doesn't run ftp, but once again, there are many different utilities out there that will do that for you! i run apache of my home computer that I use for everything else, it works well and does what i need it to!

also, fi you didn't want to download anything and have windows xp, IIS is built in (might need the install cd to copy some files over) and works well to. It has a GUI and you can share directories and files on your computer.

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I would go one step further than just Apache..I use Xammp all the time..

Its one file that installs Apache,MySql,Php,FTP servers all at the same time..and configures them all to talk to each other and run together.

It comes with a control panel for the admin tasks on all of these services..and you can use a webpage to monitor and change things on the servers apps..also you can use PhpMyadmin from the webinterface too..thats very handy indeed.



Xammp is the one stop shop for anyone testing things at home for use in a production environment later on.

Heres where you can download it..



Xammp!



Good luck..



Marky;)

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Xampp is very limiting, I used that for a month and since I've used Abyss. You get to configure php and sql yourself, very easy.

You only mention http/ftp, you can do irc, (w)lan hub and so on.

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Why you choose Windows 2000, even with service pack 4 your server is still high risk from web attack. Way not choose Linux as the server, and yes linux was designed for security and high multitasking environment. And in the software side, Apache, PHP. MySQL, and pureFTPd server is very strong combination for server. I prefer to setup my server one by one for maximum security and performance instead of installing xammp. Xammp is great but I didn't like it.

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becose most ppl have windows installed
and linux for pesonal PC is not THAT good (games and softwere)
and xmapp is beter i think
great job on the guid man
keep it up

NoMore

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Thanks for accepting my tutorial and thank you all for the comments/feedback.
Again, I chose to deal with Windows as it's more user friendly for less experienced users.
Plus, Windows 2000 is one of the most stable Windows releases with decent security.

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I am trying to run a webserver on my older Windows 98 computer using Abyss Web Server X1. I have installed a version of PHP that I managed to get under 1.38MB (floppy-disk). I couldn't get them to be compatible with each other.

Also, that system has no internet connection. It is just for testing purposes. I have inquired about running a webserver to my ISP and they said that it violates the Terms and Conditions.

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I tried to do this by using WAMP.
WAMP = Windows Apache MySQL PHP.

The things I heard was that security for Windows is very bad.

Everyone who had WAMP running has been hacked and other DAMAGING things.

Before seting up, I would suggest using a firewall as the OP suggested.

eFX

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