Windows Home Server help

[Khan Thompson]

Hey I just wanted to know if I should go with Windows home server I like the teachers but don't know the cost. Any way just had a fue things to ask

1 Can I get my files from out side out home?(eg at a friend's home or school)

2 Can I streem thing like movies to my tv some how?

3 what do I need to have to get it going

[ShadowCaptain]

I use windows server essentials 2012

 

1) yes you can set up remote access and access it from anywhere in the world through a website

2) yes, either remote desktop in, or use a program like plex

3) a computer and a copy of windows home server

[MrBucket101]

1) Yes, a VPN will make this process secure and effortless. (Minus of course the time and effort spent getting the VPN working )

-----Otherwise you will be opening ports in your firewall to forward to your server.  

2) Look up Plex Media Server

3) Use Linux instead

[Khan Thompson]

I use windows server essentials 2012

 

1) yes you can set up remote access and access it from anywhere in the world through a website

2) yes, either remote desktop in, or use a program like plex

3) a computer and a copy of windows home server

Hey also what about the cost

[Khan Thompson]

Also by things needed I ment then stuff in the computer parts

[Khan Thompson]

1) Yes, a VPN will make this process secure and effortless. (Minus of course the time and effort spent getting the VPN working )

-----Otherwise you will be opening ports in your firewall to forward to your server.  

2) Look up Plex Media Server

3) Use Linux instead

O_O what's a VPN

[Khan Thompson]

What's bad about port forwarding?

[MrBucket101]

What's bad about port forwarding?

If you can avoid opening ports unnecessarily you will benefit from a more secure network. There's nothing "bad" about it, but if you can avoid doing it then you should.

[Khan Thompson]

If you can avoid opening ports unnecessarily you will benefit from a more secure network. There's nothing "bad" about it, but if you can avoid doing it then you should.

do you know the awnser to my other things?

[ShadowCaptain]

Hey also what about the cost

 

I am not sure where you are based, check your local computer store / amazon or whatever for the cost, I got my version free due to work stuff

 

my server uses an MSI g43 socket 1150 motherboard, pentium g3220, fractal define mini case, silverstone stryder 24/7 rated PSU and currently a  2tb WD green, - plan to run 4x 3tb WD Red drives in raid 10

 

server does nightly backups, runs itunes around my home, runs plex to send media to my devices, phones tablets consoles etc even over mobile data to my iphone etc, 

[Khan Thompson]

I am not sure where you are based, check your local computer store / amazon or whatever for the cost, I got my version free due to work stuff

 

my server uses an MSI g43 socket 1150 motherboard, pentium g3220, fractal define mini case, silverstone stryder 24/7 rated PSU and currently a  2tb WD green, - plan to run 4x 3tb WD Red drives in raid 10

 

server does nightly backups, runs itunes around my home, runs plex to send media to my devices, phones tablets consoles etc even over mobile data to my iphone etc,

I live in Australia

[MrBucket101]

do you know the awnser to my other things?

42

Anything can function as a server. Especially if you're using Linux, which you should be

For a starter server, I'd recommend just bumming an old desktop computer from a friend or family member. For the beginner, the hardware isn't nearly as important as the software. The reason I keep recommending linux is mainly because its free, and it works just as good if not better than windows. 

A VPN is a Virtual  Private Network. It allows users to create an encrypted tunnel over the internet, right back to your router or server. This lets them "Virtually" join your LAN. I run a wide variety of services on my server, and I needed/wanted access from anywhere. At first I just started opening ports and directing them to my server. After a while of sifting through the logs I noticed a couple instances where "bots" had attempted to login as "root" to my SSH server, and some web crawlers were attempting to index my web server. There's nothing worthwhile on my server to anyone but me, so in the grand scheme of things it was all rather benign, but I wanted a better way to do it all. Hence the VPN. 

 

Get your server off the ground, then worry about the small things later