home server build? for a newb

[SpeedEng66]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
im looking into trying out whs (dl as I type)
home server backup and also video web server to my wifes relatives and friends (maybe more)


but I looked at the specs requirements it's kinda low (p3 1ghz)
now I have to ask before I start slaping parts together
I have quite a few pc/parts layin around
do I just use the best parts rig I have (e6550 2.3 & 2gb ddr2 ram)
or use the most energy efficient (pentium-m 1.7 & 2gb ddr1 ram)

in other words how much do I really need for the web server part?

 

[Rifter]

It depends, what OS will you be running? how many connections at a time? how large of files are we talking about?

 

[JackMDS]

Pentium-m 1.7 & 2gb ddr1 ram should be OK for File and Video Server.

Put in a decent Drive and Giga Network card. Make sure that the other computer can do Giga too and you are all set.

For Video server Windows Home server with Video management extension would be very good.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2029756

http://www.ezlan.netmWHS.html
.

 

[RebateMonger]

O.P.
You'd asked separately about using Domain names other than the free ones offered by Microsoft (xxxxxx.homeserver.com).

You can use any Domain name to reach a WHS server as long as you have registered that Domain name and have a public DNS record so that others can find your server. You also need to configure IIS inside WHS so that it sends web requests to the proper IIS web site. Host Headers can be used in IIS to differentiate incoming web requests on the same TCP port (usually TCP Port 80 or 443) but with different host names.

 

[JackMDS]

In addition check if the ports that are needed for the Server to connect into from the Internet are Not blocked by the ISP, and what is the ISP's TOS about it.

 

[SpeedEng66]

wow!!

thank you for everyone's response & time!!
everyones soo helpful (on my fisher price my first server)

Rifterut
im going to be using WHS , maybe 10,20,50? connections at the same time if I can align the planets, it's mainly for my wifes family and friends. each file are aroung 300mb+
I might pay for a megaupload account and just upload it on there and put a password on it but it's soooo much 2+tb and still growing

JackMDS
I have a few 1tb's in external cases that im going to using for the whs build.. and I messed up on my build yesterday (not really messed up but wrong choice) the P-M mb only has 2 sata's onboard so I need to order a controller or a new mb for the e6550

RebateMonger
Thanks for the reply, I tried to search for the answer but couldnt find an in anything (last 2 weeks ive been looking) plus I want really to sure about posting that question when im not even sure what im talkin about lol

JackMDS

port 80 can be open using the modem setup (I can open any port via the setup)

now the bad news
I just read verizon fios tos
Restrictions on Use. The Service is a consumer grade service and is not designed for or intended to be used for any commercial purpose. You may not resell the Service, use it for high volume purposes, or engage in similar activities that constitute such use (commercial or non-commercial). If you subscribe to a Broadband Service, you may connect multiple computers/devices within a single home to your modem and/or router to access the Service, but only through a single Verizon-issued IP address. You also may not exceed the bandwidth usage limitations that Verizon may establish from time to time for the Service,************or use the Service to host any type of server.******** Violation of this section may result in bandwidth restrictions on your Service or suspension or termination of your Service.

and ontop of that I cant get a static ip

 

[JackMDS]

The port blocking is does by the ISP on there servers.

I.e., traffic directed toward your External IP through the Blocked port does not even get to your connection.

I do not have FIOS, but I have Verizon DSL, and port 80 is Blocked by Verizon.

I host my website on a professional external host ($3 a month). My WHS is connected to the Internet for incoming too, using applications that do not use any common blocked port, No Web Hosting (or any commercial use) on it.

Static IP is Not really needed since the connection can be maintained by an account of a free Dynamic IP service and the update can be done through a Router that supports DDNS the IP updated without the need of a computer.

 

[dbcooper1]

I believe WHS limits concurrent connections to 10.

 

[SpeedEng66]

The port blocking is does by the ISP on there servers.

I.e., traffic directed toward your External IP through the Blocked port does not even get to your connection.

I do not have FIOS, but I have Verizon DSL, and port 80 is Blocked by Verizon.

I host my website on a professional external host ($3 a month). My WHS is connected to the Internet for incoming too, using applications that do not use any common blocked port, No Web Hosting (or any commercial use) on it.

Static IP is Not really needed since the connection can be maintained by an account of a free Dynamic IP service and the update can be done through a Router that supports DDNS the IP updated without the need of a computer.

any easy way to test this (port 80)? https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 something like this is this a good test?

 

[RebateMonger]

I believe WHS limits concurrent connections to 10.

Do you have a link to this? I've never seen any verification of a concurrent connection limit for WHS. Yes, it's limited to ten unique User accounts.

http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/whssoftware/thread/ac174e52-1b2f-4576-97cc-3d19dd2d401b

" - What about the number of "users" that can be *setup* in WHS? Is this also a maximum of 10 or only 10 concurrently? - its a total of 10 user accounts that can be created.

- How about standard file shares? Can only 10 people access file shared on WHS? - nope, as many people as your bandwidth and server will allow

- What about the underlying IIS install on WHS? Once again, 10 concurrent connection limits or otherwise? - as per the file share question, but will also depend what you want to do with IIS I suppose as WHS doesnt "really" support you do anything else with IIS (not that it wont work though, just that you are not given any WHS type interface to do anything)"

Regarding web hosting:
In my experience (from several years ago), No-ip.com, a primary supplier of dynamic DNS services, does NOT pass Host Headers with its free service. This will limit you to a single web site if you only have a single IP address for your server (and want to use standard web ports 80 and 443).