Has anyone of u guys have experience in running home server? Cuz I'm planning to run one. Here are some questions that I would like to ask. How do u guys manage the heat problem as server needs to run 24/7? Does my computer spec good enough to run server? { Processor : Celeron D 2.66Ghz(533 MHz FSB) Memory : 512MB HDD : 80GB(IDE 5400rpm) Internet : DSL connection (800Kbps up/5Mbps down) } Does my computer spec good enough to host this kind of site? { Page To Host : Phpbb forum with coppermine gallery Peak time : 26 concurrent users individual users : around 100 } What kind of OS do u guys usually use? If it is linux, which distro? If u guys have any suggestion even if it is not related to above questions, I'll be glad to hear. Thanks in advance
I do not think that you will have problems with heat when your server is 24/7 online. For a server i recommend Debian Etch. Please also have a look here: http://www.howtoforge.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13072
I started a long time ago with a "home" server on a 8/1Mbit line, and this was working fine untill my sites got to big (lot's of users). 1Mbit upload is okay for really small images, but if a lot of users request some big files at the same time it's no fun! You might also have a problem with sending emails on your home DSL line (like the registartion email from Phpbb)! Make sure that the needed ports are not closed by your ISP. Did you consider getting your server in a real datacenter? It's really not that expesive if the server is a 1U size (I'm only paying 19 euro per month per server) Like Hans (and many other users here) I'm using Debian as server OS.
How many concurrent users do u think my upload speed can handle?(assume no one is requesting big pictures) Service plan does mention that no port is block and static ip is provided. Can u tell me what the datacenter is? And I also don't understand what 1u size mean. I used to host my site at aplus.net. But they suspended my account, what that said is, due to overusage of cpu and mysql resourses. So I'm afraid that I might end up suspended if I use hosting service.
If you ahve a static IP it's no problem having the server at home... And I don't think you'll need to bring the server to a datacenter... you cuold just rent one there (once you need a better connection). I have a server in Germany with a friend and one in France... both are around € 20-30 per month....
The one in France costs me € 20.- per month... however it hat only little ram - but since I use it as my backup server (for the other one and my computer) and streaming audio server (so I can listen to my mp3s/oggs everywhere) it does work fine... The one in Germany is € 24.- per person (I share it with a buddy)
Personally, i think using a server at home is fine, but when you get into some more serious business, i think you should put your server in a data center. Clients expect some quality and what happens if power fails in your house?
