Minecraft/NAS server

[Twilak]

Hey all, I had a few quick questions and I thought this would be a great place to ask them;

 

For a while I have wanted to get a nas, one which I could access anywhere, to use for backups and such, and also to access data from my phone (android) and laptop (windows 10). Unsurprisingly, I also enjoy minecraft, and pay for a server with friends (less then 8 people). On my (small) budget of $100 or so, I would most likely either a: buy a older pc on ebay, or b: make a cheap PC (I built my current desktop so the building itself should not be a challenge).Is there a way  two combine these two things -- a NAS and minecraft server, and run them on one computer that runs 24/7 (and uses a not huge amount of power)? Also, I have heard port forwarding is not the safest, so I was also wondering, if the previous were to be possible, if I could route the minecraft server and nas "PC" through my VPN (PIA) before I port forward, (idk how it gets done) so it is more secure and my data is protected when I use the nas/mc server. One thing I have heard of that sounds interesting for this is virtual machines. Could I do like freenas on top of linux/windows (I have spare keys)? How would I go about that? Are there other solutions I am unaware of (I am not well educated on servers or what you may call this project if server is not the right term)?

 

Thanks in advance! -Twilak

[Twilak]

The $100 is not including HD costs for the "nas"

[Electronics Wizardy]

40 minutes ago, Twilak said:

, if I could route the minecraft server and nas "PC" through my VPN (PIA) before I port forward, (idk how it gets done) so it is more secure and my data is protected when I use the nas/mc server

Some vpns let you open ports, but its not really helping you here. It doesn't really protect your data, as its still going to the client without the vpn. Maybe opn a vpn the whole way, but doesn't make sense for a server like this.

 

41 minutes ago, Twilak said:

: buy a older pc on ebay,

yea this is your best option, your not building a new pc that reasonble for $100. Look for a optiplex or simmilar. Here is one that looks okhttps://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optiplex-7010-Intel-i3-3240-3-4GHz-8GB-RAM-450GB-HDD-Windows-10-Pro-WiFi/133413372663?hash=item1f100e82f7:g:jgcAAOSwggJewafF

 

Try to get the tower ones, they have more room for hdds and other things

 

42 minutes ago, Twilak said:

. One thing I have heard of that sounds interesting for this is virtual machines.

Yea you can do vms. I run proxmox on the host, and make a vm for minecraft server and other tasks.

 

 

[Twilak]

Found this: how's https://www.ebay.com/itm/303569920285 hows it look? 

 

Also thanks! I think I'll do proxmox too, you think it's doable for someone with no experience?

 

Thanks again!