Help creating a network shared over internet.

[iLEktron]

Hello,
To start off, I know quite a lot about setting up a PC, but not a server. I never experienced with that kind of stuff in school, yet.(next semester in cisco )

Here's the basic idea. I want to create a file sharing server that my friends and/or family will be able to access, very few people 2-5 at most. And yes I do realize that it's over the internet and the whole ISP contract. The media that will be shared is mostly movies.

Here's an example, I put a "backup" dvd or a an .avi movie on the server. Then my friends could see the files of these backups and pick whichever ones they want and put it on their PC. I would just keep adding whatever I want to that folder with all the backups and they would be able to get it.

Here are some questions I have:
1. Bandwith....
2. I was thinking of getting this NAS server.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...F8&me=&seller=

Sticking 4 1 or 2 TB of HD's.
3. Which operating system should I use?
Windows Home Server, or a Linux Distro.
Keep in mind that only certain people would be able to access it. Only specified one, any way of hiding the server in general? only people that can access it can see it, i dont know so please explain or give me links to resources, thanks.



As stated, if you have time and can help me with this please do. I would really appriciate links, examples of explanation to everything that can be realated to my set up..

Here is a network diagram of how I would like it to work.

Thanks for all your help in advance.

 

[MalVeauX]

Heya,

Any PC with an internet connection & windows.
+ FileZilla Server (FTP).
Port forward FTP to that computer's IP address.
Allow FileZilla in the windows firewall exceptions.

And... you're done. Share any number of people via user/pass. They connect any time. You can make your IP address into a named site for free via dynamic dns hosting.

http://www.dyndns.com/

-- If they use Internet Explorer to access this FTP, they can set it to view as if it were a mapped drive over a network and save it to their `My Network' and access it any time, just like a folder.

Easiest way to do it.

Very best,

 

[psihog]

Or you can try one of these NAS devices if you don't want a full NAS PC running 24/7 in your home.. you attach your own USB hdd. they run linux apps and should be easier to setup than a WHS.

http://www.tonidoplug.com/
http://www.pogoplug.com/

 

[JackMDS]

If you have an old computer lying around, or you want to buy/build a cool Green computer, you should consider using Windows Home Server (WHS).

As a NAS, it is much better than any of the sub $500 NAS’. It can do much more and price is not more expensive than a Good NAS.

If you do Not want to build, you can start with something like this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-503-_-Product

Or this, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-503-_-Product

Alternatively, you can build a server based on a barebones and Intel ATOM Mobo/CPU, and get the WHS OEM, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-550-_-Product

Any of choices like the above, with their Giga network card, will provide much better LAN speed than the stand-alone Giga NAS’ that are currently sold.

WHS comes with IIS ftp server and you can install Filezilla too if you like it better.
http://computingondemand.com/?p=961

Microsoft provides you with free Dynamic subdoamin so you do not have to worry about the connection through the Internet. You probably can get something like iLEktron.homeserver.com

http://usingwindowshomeserver.com/2...n-name-for-windows-home-server-remote-access/

Some more info on the topic.

http://www.ezlan.net/WHS.html

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2031966&highlight=whs

.

 

[VinylxScratches]

Hamachi network?

 

[santz]

nice, will do it some day