Creating Static IP Webserver (Windows)

[DaveJ]

I have a couple questions about creating my own webserver. I'm not doing this because I'm 'interested' in servers (yuck), I'm not, more interested in making websites, and figure if I'm going to make websites for people, why not host them too??? They tend to get confused when I say, Ok now you gotta pay $10/mo to godaddy.com or whoever.

I have seen Home Servers that start at $400 like this one: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=704702&Q=&is=REG&A=details

Could I use this to host websites that get minuscule traffic? Conceivably I could get another system if any sites start getting more traffic.

And, this other big question is how much is the least amount Windows Server cost for a small endeavor like this? Using Sharepoint is also important, which I understand the basic version comes with the server.

Thanks!

[canetoad]

1. Put it this way

How much would YOU pay to have your website hosted on a $400 server, in someone's house, sharing their internet connection and bandwidth, without support, redundancy and 24 hour monitoring?

[DaveJ]

2. Great, CT, thanks so much...

You have truly enlightened me... what would I do without your delightful banter! However, I'm pretty sure I did not ask the question you are answering.

I know techies are famous for their lack of great communication skills, and as such I admit my own imperfections in that area as well. I certainly left out a lot of details pertinent to the enigmatic unasked question you are answering, such as 1) I create websites for people for free, 2) most of the work I'm doing is on my own sites, 3) I plan to upgrade as time goes on, 4) Only people who are in my inner circle would be involved in this.

The direct answer is zero, as it is my intention to pay the notoriously rude folks who usually work at hosting companies.

[CabalPowered]

3. Not with that product

Home Server is more like a glorified version of CE (xp embed) than Server. If you want to serve a fully qualified domain, you'll need Windows Web or Standard Server. Beyond the OS, Sharepoint is an option but there are many others. You're probably looking for a Content Management System more than Sharepoint. Dotnetnuke would be a good alternative. Mailtraq is a good alternative to Exchange.

[DaveJ]

4. I'm fixated on Sharepoint ATM

I really want Sharepoint so I can see what it can do in the area of document management. Problem is, I'm afraid the version that comes with windows server probably will not be enough. I know there are alternatives, but this is the document management tool that interests me now.

Since I cannot afford to buy a full fledged corporate version of Sharepoint Server, I'll probably have to go the route of using it on someone else's host. It just would be nice if I had my own webserver, because I also need to be able to do file conversion, which seems to require installing applications like Ghostscript and others on the box, which as far as I know most hosts will not allow.

(BTW, I have a webserver here at work but I don't want to use it because then they'd own whatever I create.)

[DaveJ]

5. Home Server

Forgot to mention, I realize the Home Server OS is not the same as Windows Server, I was just wondering if I could install Windows Server on one of those boxes. If not, do you know if Windows Server 2010 would run on any typical 64 bit PC? Thanks.

[CabalPowered]

6. Hmm

You could build a low cost server and buy an oem copy of Web Server. That's the cheapest for the DIY. Probably all said done.. less than $1100?? I don't know, I haven't priced hardware in awhile.

But.. I'd rent to start. You've got other things to worry about at this point. If you're sold on Sharepoint, there are hosting environments dedicated to Sharepoint. You could test drive that for awhile. If you want basic Server access, you need shop around for a host.

I haven't been host shopping in ages but I've always had a good experience with these guys..

http://discountasp.net/

[DaveJ]

7. Actually I'm using those guys now

Yeah they are decent, but they focus purely on .Net, so they do not have Sharepoint.

I was just thinking if I could do it for $1k that would be $30/mo for 3 years, which is no more than I'm paying now.

If I can't find the answers, I'll continue to work "within the system" and find a Sharepoint provider.

The reason I resorted to posting here is because it is a tough question. If it were easy I wouldn't have asked. Thanks for trying anyway!!!