Private server creation for a beginner

[DLMJOSLIN]

hello I'm fairly competent when it comes to computers, however, what I want to accomplish is having a central storage space that over wifi can be connected to from what ever device needed i.e. Laptop, cell phone, Xbox and such. Then if need be also be connected to from an outside source. Say I'm at work and would like to find a movie and watch from a work computer , or my cell phone . What I don't know I what hardware and software I need. Could anyone shed light on the subject. Also on a side note I'd want it to be encrypted or protected however from the outside internet so that not just anyone could access it.

 

[gbb0330]

hello I'm fairly competent when it comes to computers, however, what I want to accomplish is having a central storage space that over wifi can be connected to from what ever device needed i.e. Laptop, cell phone, Xbox and such. Then if need be also be connected to from an outside source. Say I'm at work and would like to find a movie and watch from a work computer , or my cell phone . What I don't know I what hardware and software I need. Could anyone shed light on the subject. Also on a side note I'd want it to be encrypted or protected however from the outside internet so that not just anyone could access it.

there are multiple ways to setup shared storage on the local network - for example you can use a windows computer and share a folder, of buy a NAS, or make your own NAS.

accessing it from outside, and being able to watch movies is going to be more difficult for multiple reasons.
1. your public IP address is very likely to change often, unless you buy a static IP from your ISP.
2. your upload bandwidth is probably not enough to stream video reliably.
3. you will have to open multiple ports on your firewall, which will leave you exposed to attacks. or you will have to setup a VPN server.
4. and last but not least - cost and knowledge. you can easily accomplish file sharing and VPN server with a windows server operating system and some relatively cheap hardware, even 2003 server will do that, but 2008 or 2012 windows servers are more secure. there are some NAS devices that offer similar functionality but they are not cheap, and you can do it all for free with linux, but again, you will need even more knowledge to accomplish it

 

[DLMJOSLIN]

hello I'm fairly competent when it comes to computers, however, what I want to accomplish is having a central storage space that over wifi can be connected to from what ever device needed i.e. Laptop, cell phone, Xbox and such. Then if need be also be connected to from an outside source. Say I'm at work and would like to find a movie and watch from a work computer , or my cell phone . What I don't know I what hardware and software I need. Could anyone shed light on the subject. Also on a side note I'd want it to be encrypted or protected however from the outside internet so that not just anyone could access it.

there are multiple ways to setup shared storage on the local network - for example you can use a windows computer and share a folder, of buy a NAS, or make your own NAS.

accessing it from outside, and being able to watch movies is going to be more difficult for multiple reasons.
1. your public IP address is very likely to change often, unless you buy a static IP from your ISP.
2. your upload bandwidth is probably not enough to stream video reliably.
3. you will have to open multiple ports on your firewall, which will leave you exposed to attacks. or you will have to setup a VPN server.
4. and last but not least - cost and knowledge. you can easily accomplish file sharing and VPN server with a windows server operating system and some relatively cheap hardware, even 2003 server will do that, but 2008 or 2012 windows servers are more secure. there are some NAS devices that offer similar functionality but they are not cheap, and you can do it all for free with linux, but again, you will need even more knowledge to accomplish it

So would FreeNAS be a viable option? after i build the machine.

a build like this http://www.tested.com/tech/500455-building-home-server-using-freenas/

 

[gbb0330]

hello I'm fairly competent when it comes to computers, however, what I want to accomplish is having a central storage space that over wifi can be connected to from what ever device needed i.e. Laptop, cell phone, Xbox and such. Then if need be also be connected to from an outside source. Say I'm at work and would like to find a movie and watch from a work computer , or my cell phone . What I don't know I what hardware and software I need. Could anyone shed light on the subject. Also on a side note I'd want it to be encrypted or protected however from the outside internet so that not just anyone could access it.

there are multiple ways to setup shared storage on the local network - for example you can use a windows computer and share a folder, of buy a NAS, or make your own NAS.

accessing it from outside, and being able to watch movies is going to be more difficult for multiple reasons.
1. your public IP address is very likely to change often, unless you buy a static IP from your ISP.
2. your upload bandwidth is probably not enough to stream video reliably.
3. you will have to open multiple ports on your firewall, which will leave you exposed to attacks. or you will have to setup a VPN server.
4. and last but not least - cost and knowledge. you can easily accomplish file sharing and VPN server with a windows server operating system and some relatively cheap hardware, even 2003 server will do that, but 2008 or 2012 windows servers are more secure. there are some NAS devices that offer similar functionality but they are not cheap, and you can do it all for free with linux, but again, you will need even more knowledge to accomplish it

So would FreeNAS be a viable option? after i build the machine.

a build like this http://www.tested.com/tech/500455-building-home-server-using-freenas/

you got it

 

[DLMJOSLIN]

hello I'm fairly competent when it comes to computers, however, what I want to accomplish is having a central storage space that over wifi can be connected to from what ever device needed i.e. Laptop, cell phone, Xbox and such. Then if need be also be connected to from an outside source. Say I'm at work and would like to find a movie and watch from a work computer , or my cell phone . What I don't know I what hardware and software I need. Could anyone shed light on the subject. Also on a side note I'd want it to be encrypted or protected however from the outside internet so that not just anyone could access it.

there are multiple ways to setup shared storage on the local network - for example you can use a windows computer and share a folder, of buy a NAS, or make your own NAS.

accessing it from outside, and being able to watch movies is going to be more difficult for multiple reasons.
1. your public IP address is very likely to change often, unless you buy a static IP from your ISP.
2. your upload bandwidth is probably not enough to stream video reliably.
3. you will have to open multiple ports on your firewall, which will leave you exposed to attacks. or you will have to setup a VPN server.
4. and last but not least - cost and knowledge. you can easily accomplish file sharing and VPN server with a windows server operating system and some relatively cheap hardware, even 2003 server will do that, but 2008 or 2012 windows servers are more secure. there are some NAS devices that offer similar functionality but they are not cheap, and you can do it all for free with linux, but again, you will need even more knowledge to accomplish it

So would FreeNAS be a viable option? after i build the machine.

a build like this http://www.tested.com/tech/500455-building-home-server-using-freenas/

you got it

Hello again,

Thanks to your advice and guidance I built a dedicated server with spare PC parts. That uses FreeNAS as the OS, Plex media server plugin for media, and separate shares for each of my family members to store files. when I asked this question, I had no idea how to get it off the ground. I completed the build back around June 2016 and haven't had any major problems yet (Knock on wood). So again I thank you for pointing me in the right direction, and helping me accomplish this goal.