How do you set up a desktop PC as a server?

Answer 1

if you have windows xp on your old computer just use remote desktop... then you dont have to spend any money...

(there is alot more to servers than just remote desktop)

Buy a server OS (the cheapest standard 'server 2008' starts at $999.00)

Format the HD in your comp

Install the new server OS

Download and install new drivers, might have to buy a few new parts because some parts werent designed to be used in servers. No big deal, can get whatever you need at newegg.com or your local PCWorld.

After about 2 - 3 hours of work you can enjoy your new server... :)

Answer 2

**This assumes that your desktop PC is currently used as a personal computer, and you have minimal knowledge with setting up servers.

To set up a desktop PC as a server, you must first decide WHAT you want to serve. You basically run a web server, file server, or game server of any desktop PC - few home servers run on actual server hardware. With the previous answer, running Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 does not make a difference, but if you want advanced abilities offered by Windows Server or Linux/Unix flavors you should consider getting one. Look into it. You cannot run a DFS server, RADIUS server, or Terminal/File Server on Windows XP or it is not advised. For running servers on a Macintosh, consider getting Snow Leopard Server.

Once you have decided what server you will run, download it from a trusted site and set it up by running the script or executable (untarring if you are on Linux) or extract the files into a directory. It could be a folder on your desktop, but preferably on in the C:/Program Files/ directory of your computer.

If it is a webserver, most home ISPs or connections will block incoming Port 80 which is needed to run a standard webserver, and some block Telnet, FTP, or other ports. Use a service like canyouseeme.org to find out.

Once you have determined if your ISP blocks ports, open up the selected port in your computer's firewall such as Windows Firewall. Then open it up in your router or gateway. Do so by going to your web console at http://192.168.1.1, http://192.168.0.1, http://192.168.2.1, or http://10.0.X.X depending on your configuration. Linksys routers use .1.1, Belkin .2.1, and D-Link .0.1 so just look in your routers documentation. If you don't know the password, use the default username and password that you can find online.

Now, check once again to see if the port is open by using such a service. If it still does not open, your ISP might be blocking it. If it did not work before, it might work after unblocking the ports. Or just place your desktop PC in a DMZ.

**NOTE: You might not be able to go to your server using your PUBLIC IP issued by your ISP. Your router might not have loopback and you can only see it locally by using your local IP. To find out your local IP, use command prompt in Windows and type "ipconfig" without the quotes. To find your external ip, go to a website like www.crynetservers.com/ip.html**

You might have to unblock ports in your Vonage box also IF you happen to use that service. Otherwise, bring up the server, and if your router does not have loopback, use a proxy server such as anonymouse.org or get someone to try to connect.

Servers work best running 24/7 to minimize downtime for clients and hardware tends to work without fault that way - except for non-server OSes which seem to sometimes have issues running on long stretches for more than 70 days or so, they seem to have their system file tables in Windows get "confused" in some cases.

Each server is different. Learn about what you want to do, and the best way to learn about servers is just to do it. If you want to run a website but have a dynamic IP or run over another port like 8000 rather than HTTP 80, I recommend No-IP org which allows you to configure a domain over an alternate port and use dynamic DNS services. Look on some online forums for support or if you have issues.

Answer 3

Yes. There is nothing that stops you from running many types of servers on your computer. Many Video Games, such as first-person shooters, have the option to "host" a game; this turn your computer, in essence, into a server. Most P2P (Peer to Peer programs also operate on the concept that one or both computers of everyday people are going to act like servers.

Answer 4

first you need a good internet connection with an static-ip and u should use Linux for php mysql web server

Answer 5

Any computer can become a server because at its core a server is any node that provider a service to another person.

Answer 6

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