Server Windows 8.1 Pro

[PeterNuggets]

I wish to setup a networking option on my main desktop which allows me to access chosen files on my laptop. I am running Windows 8.1 Pro on my desktop and Windows 8.1 on my laptop. I am willing to setup some of my HDD space allocated to this and after a while I will buy a proper drive for it (if it works). But aswell as accessing it on the same network I want to be able to access these files for when I'm not on my network. So if I'm over at my mates house (working on what I need the server for) or if I'm just downstairs on my main network (I use a network repeater as my PC is upstairs and gets terrible connectivity there). Is there some sort of built in filesharing option which I can just activate then every time I save a file it's available updated on both my laptop and desktop?

 

Thanks.

[lani100]

I wish to setup a networking option on my main desktop which allows me to access chosen files on my laptop. I am running Windows 8.1 Pro on my desktop and Windows 8.1 on my laptop. I am willing to setup some of my HDD space allocated to this and after a while I will buy a proper drive for it (if it works). But aswell as accessing it on the same network I want to be able to access these files for when I'm not on my network. So if I'm over at my mates house (working on what I need the server for) or if I'm just downstairs on my main network (I use a network repeater as my PC is upstairs and gets terrible connectivity there). Is there some sort of built in filesharing option which I can just activate then every time I save a file it's available updated on both my laptop and desktop?

 

Thanks.

Yes windows can share folders or complete harddrives but only in your local network but you can use a vpn to connect remotely to your network.

But a cheap nas works better and is more reliable and has tons of features 

[PeterNuggets]

Yes windows can share folders or complete harddrives but only in your local network but you can use a vpn to connect remotely to your network.

But a cheap nas works better and is more reliable and has tons of features 

With a Nas will I need to keep a monitor and keyboard and all that? Or can I just plug it in and connect to it without any need for preiphreals? If so I might just buy a nas. Also, how would I connect to the Nas from another network?

[Th3Architect]

Hi PeterNuggets,  I'm not sure if accessing a windows 8.1 server is possible from another network (can't fully remember but you might be able to remote desktop to it) but I would buy this guide if your interested, for £10 it's a steal I do actually have it (and it's very thorough!) and intend to build one myself at somepoint - I'm just in the process of playing around with FreeNAS at the moment! -  http://store.wegotserved.com/collections/windows 

 

Hope this helps

[PeterNuggets]

Hi PeterNuggets,  I'm not sure if accessing a windows 8.1 server is possible from another network (can't fully remember but you might be able to remote desktop to it) but I would buy this guide if your interested, for £10 it's a steal I do actually have it (and it's very thorough!) and intend to build one myself at somepoint - I'm just in the process of playing around with FreeNAS at the moment! -  http://store.wegotserved.com/collections/windows 

 

Hope this helps

aN Error 404 just came up. I'm hoping to get a nas sometime soon as I dont want to be only working at my desk.

[Th3Architect]

With a Nas will I need to keep a monitor and keyboard and all that? Or can I just plug it in and connect to it without any need for preiphreals? If so I might just buy a nas. Also, how would I connect to the Nas from another network?

Cheap solutions like Synology, WD, Qnap etc do decent 2-4 Bay NAS's some that even support Link Aggregation if you require it, they have their own software which you can use (it basically gives you your own personal cloud) to access your data from anywhere, I believe also from smartphones...don't quote me on that though.

 

See this video by Luke - 

- Gives a good understanding of the synology

[Th3Architect]

aN Error 404 just came up. I'm hoping to get a nas sometime soon as I dont want to be only working at my desk.

http://store.wegotserved.com/collections/windows/products/building-a-home-server-with-windows-8-1

 

try that

[Th3Architect]

Just noticed your from Oz, how's it going over there I've just got back from Brisbane - Is it still wet lol?

[PeterNuggets]

Just noticed your from Oz, how's it going over there I've just got back from Brisbane - Is it still wet lol?

haha it's ridiculously hot. We were so lucky to have some rain the other day. Hottest it's been in 5 years for me. ugh hahah.

 

http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=10&id2=126&bid=5&sid=132689

With this nas will I be able to set this up using only the nas and no keyboard/mouse/monitor needed. Just a plug and play. If I need to use a computer can I set it up on my upstairs network while it's plugged into my downstairs network? Because I really dont want dedicated items for the nas.

[KTFO|SGTmoody]

haha it's ridiculously hot. We were so lucky to have some rain the other day. Hottest it's been in 5 years for me. ugh hahah.

http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=10&id2=126&bid=5&sid=132689

With this nas will I be able to set this up using only the nas and no keyboard/mouse/monitor needed. Just a plug and play. If I need to use a computer can I set it up on my upstairs network while it's plugged into my downstairs network? Because I really dont want dedicated items for the nas.

If you can connect to your network upstairs from downstairs then yes. There is no keyboard or mouse for a NAS. You connect to it through a Web browser on your pc. You will need to plug it in to your network with an Ethernet cable.

I don't understand how your upstairs network is different from your downstairs network?

[KTFO|SGTmoody]

Oh I understand your using a wireless repeater. The network is the same downstairs as up. There Is no difference your just repeating the WiFi signal.

If you plug it in upstairs you will be able to access it downstairs fine.

[PeterNuggets]

If you can connect to your network upstairs from downstairs then yes. There is no keyboard or mouse for a NAS. You connect to it through a Web browser on your pc. You will need to plug it in to your network with an Ethernet cable.

I don't understand how your upstairs network is different from your downstairs network?

It's different because the repeater I have setup makes it a separate network, so I can only connect to one at a time as they both come up as different networks. It's fine with me it just doesnt help with printing as the wireless printer is downstairs on that network.

 

Edit: Oh okay haha

[KTFO|SGTmoody]

It's different because the repeater I have setup makes it a separate network, so I can only connect to one at a time as they both come up as different networks. It's fine with me it just doesnt help with printing as the wireless printer is downstairs on that network.

Edit: Oh okay haha

Right so your using another router to do the repeating? Turn DHCP DNS and any other network service off so it's just doing the repeating. Then it should all become one network.

Otherwise if you have them separate like that it may give you some grief when you want to access it from the outside world due to it being on the second network.

[PeterNuggets]

Right so your using another router to do the repeating? Turn DHCP DNS and any other network service off so it's just doing the repeating. Then it should all become one network.

Otherwise if you have them separate like that it may give you some grief when you want to access it from the outside world due to it being on the second network.

I've been researching different drives and I've come up with WD Red drives. If I got a 1TB RED and a 1TB Green (for backup) how would I setup the backup drive on that nas? Would it be in the software/webpage where everything I need gets setup?

 

Once again the Nas is: http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=10&id2=126&bid=5&sid=132689

The WD Red is: http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=10&id2=129&bid=2&sid=95172

and the WD Green is: http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=10&id2=129&bid=2&sid=85283

 

Thanks.

[Th3Architect]

Right so your using another router to do the repeating? Turn DHCP DNS and any other network service off so it's just doing the repeating. Then it should all become one network.

Otherwise if you have them separate like that it may give you some grief when you want to access it from the outside world due to it being on the second network.

Agreed, I would put this as your first priority it will cause massive headaches later on otherwise

 

The Netgear seems OK to me however, will you be using it to stream films/media and if so to how many devices because you'll want an upgrade to CPU and RAM otherwise, I would also suggest not going for WD Greens in a NAS especially if your going for some sort of RAID, they have a tendancy to drop out of the RAID - If you want affordable but reliable drives the standard Seagate Barracuda 7,200rpm are excellent and my personal favourite

[rtpb5642]

What i do:

 

Buy a domain name

OS: RHEL 7

Install webmin amd configure

port forward the nesessary ports

install swish on any of the windows machines and voila u can acess ur files inside ur house and outside ur house. This also makes a great webserver and ftp and minecraft server all in one, u also dont need much ram.

I have this currently and love it, simple to use after set up and its all open source!

[Scheer]

What i do:

 

Buy a domain name

OS: RHEL 7

Install webmin amd configure

port forward the nesessary ports

install swish on any of the windows machines and voila u can acess ur files inside ur house and outside ur house. This also makes a great webserver and ftp and minecraft server all in one, u also dont need much ram.

I have this currently and love it, simple to use after set up and its all open source!

 

I did this with CentOS (basically the same thing) and it worked great. Was a bit of a learning curve as I am a Linux noob, but if I can figure it out so can you. I didn't use Swish, but I just looked at it quick and it is pretty nice looking... http://www.swish-sftp.org/

 

I recently stepped up to Server 2012 Essentials and prefer it, but for the typical person there is no reason to spend $300 on a OS alone to do this... Keep in mind if you have a slow upload speed at your house you will be waiting a lot on files when you are not home.

 

If you want "plug and play" a NAS is your best option, might want to look into QNap NAS's, I've watched a few reviews of them and they look really nice. Watch Slickdeals.net for them, they have been going on sale quite often lately.

[rtpb5642]

I did this with CentOS (basically the same thing) and it worked great. Was a bit of a learning curve as I am a Linux noob, but if I can figure it out so can you. I didn't use Swish, but I just looked at it quick and it is pretty nice looking... http://www.swish-sftp.org/

 

I recently stepped up to Server 2012 Essentials and prefer it, but for the typical person there is no reason to spend $300 on a OS alone to do this... Keep in mind if you have a slow upload speed at your house you will be waiting a lot on files when you are not home.

 

If you want "plug and play" a NAS is your best option, might want to look into QNap NAS's, I've watched a few reviews of them and they look really nice. Watch Slickdeals.net for them, they have been going on sale quite often lately.

yeah i used to be a linux noob now im pretty decent with it. sounds good but i tried and hate windows server.

[Louis54000]

You can do that without a nas if you don't want to spend money. VPN + Windows file sharing works great, you can even set up an FTP so you don't need a VPN (FileZilla server). Windows is able to manage FTP like a normal folder. You can have a free domain name on no-ip.com pointing to your IP if it's dynamic.