Ok, I'm planning on creating a simple server for myself using Windows XP, mainly to FTP files and possibly host my own personal web page later. This will all be done over my cable connection. I'm going to set this up on my second hard drive, and my main reason for doing this is just to get an idea of how it's set up.

From what I've read, here's what I think I need to do:

• Install Windows XP Pro on my second hard drive or possibly another machine if I can get my hands on one for cheap, setup TCP/IP to configure everything automatically since my router supports DHCP.
• Install a web server... most likely this one: http://www.appservnetwork.com/
• Install an FTP server, probably this one: http://filezilla.sourceforge.net/
• Find out my machine's IP address, and voila... start transferring files to and from as I please.

Missing anything?

 

I didnt read the links, but be sure to foreward port (21 ftp, 81 www) to the machines ip address or you could use the dmz option htat most routers have.

BTW what cable provider do you have? This is very important because most providers under the TOS will suspend and even remove your acount for hosting. Just wanted to make sure you were aware of that,heh ive gotten a few warnings concerning this issue.

 

Get a Cisco router. and a couple static IP Address.

NAT'ing the address is a good Idea. Also make sure the Cicso Router has some sort of built in firewall, as well as look into A software based firewall for the server, Black ICE Server is a pretty good one.

Lock down and disable any un-needed services. (Terminal service, ect)

 

You could use a simple linksys or netgear router also. Usually these fairly inexpensive and most have an easy web interface used to configure port forwarding, firewall rules, etc. Personally I would set my server up on a seperate box. You might want to get your server a static address since its going to be used for ftp, web, etc. I've been meaning to give mine a static b\c whenever I reboot the address changes and I have to go back into the router to reconfigure. I use ServU for my ftp server.

Like the others said, make sure you turn off or disable all services that you don't need. Be sure to keep your box up to date with the latest security updates. My ftp and terminal services usually stay up 24x7 and I haven't had any issues yet.

 

Just curious, but why do those apps have to be installed on an NT based Windows or Windows 2000/2002/2003 Server or Linux or UNIX or etc... what do those OS's have that Win XP Home or Win 98 don't?

Data -

How do I give the server a static IP? Is that something that's configured within the OS?

 

Did some more reading and found out, so I decided to post it for those who wanted to know later...

Windows XP professional (as well as Windows 2000) includes Microsoft's IIS (Internet Information Server) which can be used to create an FTP site on your computer. It's a fair bit less complicated and less flexible than using some third-party FTP server software packages, so we will give you guides for setting up both. If you are using XP Home you will need to use third-party software. There is no way to publish an FTP site with the Home Edition of XP.

Taken from this site... http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.c...id=1491&page=2

 

Click Start ----- Settings ------ Network Connections

Once in there, you should see "Local Area Connection"

Right click local area connection and choose "Properties"

Now you should be in the Local Area Connection Properties. Now in the scroll down box you should select Internet Protocol (TCP\IP) and choose Properties.

This is where you will set the box for a static ip address. You could use the current information of the machine. Just click Start ---- Run.

In the run command type cmd and then hit enter. That will bring up the command prompt. Then type ipconfig /all then hit enter. That will bring up the current ip settings for all adapters that you have on your box. You should only have one.

Then back to the properties you can just enter your current ip, subnet mask, gateway, and dns information.

 

If you decide to go with IIS, be sure to lock it down. 6.0 comes fairly locked down, but 5.0 doesn't. Check out MS's site for some tips.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec...s/default.mspx

 

What kinda machine do I need to look for? I've been checking out eBay for a while, and found plenty of older machines. I'm just assuming I need a machine with a big hard drive to store the stuff. I'll probably either add another hard drive to the machine I get or replace the one it already has.

I'm assuming that the CPU and RAM won't really hinder performance, since it's mainly going to be used for FTP. If I register a domain name, I might set up an email server also. Mainly, I just want it to learn how to set one up. Doesn't have to be a huge performer or anything. I just wanna try to avoid any major pitfalls that I might be overlooking.

 

Most cable companys will suspend you account if you host a server. Also to prevent this most cable companies cap the upload speed at 300k or less, which is fine you are the only one that wants to access it, but would be retardedly slow for more then 1 or 2 people at a time.

Just some stuff to think about, alot of cable companies offer better connections and business cable speeds, for a fee of course. Might be something you want to look into if you havent already.

 

My FTP server just consists of a PIII 700mhz, 384mb ram, 20gb (main os), 200gb (storage), and another external 200gb (backup). You really don't need a fast machine for an ftp server. Mine just sits in the corner of my room with no monitor, keyboard, or mouse. Just a network connection and thats it. If I want to connect to it, I'll just TS into it.

 

Well that sucks. What do they care what I decide to do with my bandwidth? I mean, I know cable shares bandwidth with all the customers in that area, but shouldn't each one at least be able to always use that 300kbps upload cap?

They suck.

 

My upload is set at 256kbps

 

Are you signed up with a regular ISP? If so, did you have any probs with them dealing with hosting your own server?

 

you have it wrong...

it's THEIR bandwidth... not yours...

their rules... you follow...

look... it's like any rules set by a private company. they dont want people running their own websites using their pipes. period...

you're find just about every broadband ISP will have similar rules...

and it's really simple to web crawl their network looking for standarrd PORT 80 traffic.

sure you can use other ports, but hey...

READ YOUR TOS... as others say, they can track your UPLOAD bandwidth usage. and if they find it and wanna make you a test case, good luck...

in any case...

server: apache 2.x. hands down. granted it takes a lot of manual handholding. better be good with HTTPD.CONF... lol... just spent all day last wednesday working on one trying to rotate logs... :pat:

ftp: filezilla or GUILD FTP (been using this one for years)

or use WEB DAV. no need for FTP... talk to me about this... kinda cool technology. and works with apache (mod_dav).

my boxes run on win 2k and xp pro boxes.

(<- works for a public univ and almost have all the bandwidth i need... LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLL -- for work related purposes, of course... )

 

Yes I have comcast. I haven't had any problems yet with running my ftp server. It doesn't stay up 24/7 though. It is just up when I need it.