Self Hosted Server
 

Hi Guys,

I wanted to know what i would need to set up my own server at home?
I am not familiar with servers and that's why i need your help!

What kind of server do I need to buy to run a forum with daily visits of 250 Users and simultaneous navigation?

Thanks,
Marco

I'm not skilled greatly in setting up a self server, but a few basics I know is you need a good upload connections. A faster updated server and you need to safeguard your server from getting hacked. Without it being managed by others, you may have to devote more time to random issues. If you got the time, speed, and knowledge of fixing random server issues, then what these guys will post will work for you. On top of that, don't get hacked ;p

You know that computer you put in the corner the last time you bought a new compter?

Use it. Im sure it will be fine for a board your size.

There are 2ish routes as far as software goes.

1st is Linux, Something like Fedora is free to use & has good support. But Linux can be difficult to learn at first.

2nd is Windows, This is where the "ish" comes to play. Windows XP is capible of being a 1 domain server. So if you only plan on running 1 site off the machine it may be the most "cost effective" method, but it has its limitations. Microsoft has a server OS called Microsoft Windows Server 2003, If you can afford to buy an OS, and are not firmilar with Linux, i would suggest this route.

Try googling home server, there is tons of info out there...
Here is one i found quickly: http://www.htmlgoodies.com/beyond/we...le.php/3499361

First you need a very high upload speed and that it going to be your biggest issue.

Call Verizon (if you're US based) and ask if FIOS is available in your area. The business class package should be enough bandwidth to get started!

call up Dell and get one of the entry level PowerEdge servers. They can package it up with an OS of your choice. should be inexpensive enough as long as you don't order a monster server.

If you order the rack configuration, here's one of mine that i use strictly for one vBulletin board: Quad Core Xeon 3.2ghz, 8gb ram, 1TB SCSI (Raid 5)

you would need at least a

intel quad core xeon 3.6ghz processor
least 4 gigs of ram
1000mb network card
1tb of hard drive space
at least 5000gb a month at least
centos for os is good or windows server 2003

lol That's a little overkill.... remember most people think they have 250 users online at a time when it fact it's 1/4 of that most likely. :)

well its good too cover your rear cause 10mbps port would keil over and 100mbps is ok but it goes so far but 1000mbps port is fine if your getting heavy traffic and it takes load off your server a fair bit plus databases take alot of space if its a single server then its worth it

True.. but I didn't give this one much thought because there is about a 1% chance that this user will be able to get an internet connection at his house to support this in the first place. :)


:D

well the network card, yes to 1gigabit :D but he can survive with 2gig of ram and 250gig of HDD :D and not only upload speed isn't the only one that should be fast :p

Really he could have a 10mb card and it would still be faster then the connection he will have at a home... lol


Remember it's only as fast as your weakest link....

look man, the guy wants self-hosted server not guillotine for his forums

I was answering your post of him needed a 1gb network card... it's useless in his case. That's all I was saying.
As for running a server at home, an old pent4 will do the trick :)