Question

[spanky]

I'll be going to college in the fall and I was curious as to what I need (software/hardware) in order to run a server in my dorm room. I want to have two comps running. One which is my server to be on 24/7 for educational purposes and (cs) and another just to play games (cs) on. I know fosho I need ethernet cards and the comps, but am I suppose to use a router or a hub. Also is it illegal to run a server @ a UC from my dorm room? Thanks in advance.

[Grimm]

What kind of server?

What kind of internet connection?

Who provides the internet connection? The provider might have rules against setting up a server, be it University or private company. You will need to contact the University and ask.

Assuming cable or DSL connection you should probably get a 4-port cable/DSL router. I recomend SMC or Linksys. Someone else will have to help you set up the server. You have to decide which OS to run and then what software to install. It will be expensive with MS software unless you pirate it, which could get you suspended or expelled if you are caught. You probably want to go with BeOs or Linux.
It's a great idea, but if you don't know what you are doing it will kick your butt. My first attempt to set up a Linux server with a SCSI disk aray was an abject failure.

[Bladderman]

i know several who didn't exactly get kicked out for running a "server" from their room. but,... uhh, got reprimanded? =)

and they were at ucla. which uc school you planning on doing this from?

[Grimm]

Yes, but if a server has any unlicenced software, he could get busted on an ethics violation. Usually it's no big, but sometimes they set an example.

[tastyapple]

heh, he said his server was for "educational" purposes, hence he shouldn't have a problem at all. at most universities i know you either get or can request a static ip - thus they are setting themselves up for student's hosting.

as for ftp servers, i know a few people who use warftp.. it's standard freeware i think - it'll handle anything, even gigs of mp3's, much less cs work. you can also get freeware or shareware webpage servers - and i think windows comes with it these days as well. (or if you're gonna use linux, both are standard.. apache, and that other thingy).

oh yeah, as for them knowing that you have a server - usually how it works is that they don't really know or care.. until you use enough bandwidth for them to notice =P

in my opinion too, unless you're gonna be dragging heavy traffic on your "educational" server, a $20 hub should do fine.. uc's have t1's no?

[hapoo]

What you REALLY need is to give me your IP once its up ;)
I suggest going with mandrake-linux, a little tough to figure out for a beginer but way easier than the alternatives.