This is the second part of the “my home network” series. In case you missed the first part, you can find it here. I will focus mainly on my server setup. To recap, all my files (pictures, documents, music, videos, etc) are stored on my server. This server is an old HP Proliant LC3 with a 500 MHz Pentium III processor, 512 MB of RAM and two 36 GB SCSI drives. This machine has been proven to be very reliable (its been running for 112 days now non-stop), as it sits on a closet outside in my balcony. I did have to run ethernet cabling from my router/switch to that outside closet, but that wasn’t much of a hassle (I know my was around a crimping tool and RJ-45 ends).

At that time I decided to go with a server-based solution because my laptop (my main computer at the time) was running out of space and I also wanted to access my files from anywhere. The first thing I did when I got this server was to wipe and reinstall the OS. Originally this server had NT 4.0 but I decided to go with Windows XP Pro. After installing the OS, I added a 160 GB hard drive and an 80 GB hard drive. I then configured an internal static IP, added a strong password for the administrator, enabled Remote Desktop and made sure I could access it via RDC before placing the server outside in the closet.

(this is the actual location of my server)

Data sharing and accessing:

On the 80 GB drive, there’s a folder called “music”, and there is where…ummm…all my music goes. On the 160 GB drive there is a folder called “documents”, and you can imagine what I’ve got in that folder. Those folders are shared, with a strong password. On my workstations I’ve mapped the music folder to the M: drive and the documents folder to the Z: drive. My “My Documents” folder is redirected to the Z: drive also. I’ve setup identical usernames and passwords on the server and on all the other PCs, that way the My Documents folder has the same contents everywhere and I can run iTunes on any computer with access to all my music/rating/playlists.

Accessing the server/data remotely:

My server can be accessed via RDC and VNC from the outside. I changed the default ports of RDC to a random number instead of 3389, the same for VNC, for security reasons. I also forwarded the ports on my firewall to the server. I signed up for a dynamic DNS with No-ip.com and installed the updating client on the server to ensure that my address remains mapped to my dynamic IP at home. To access my data remotely I can either log into the server via RDC or VNC, where I can work from the server’s desktop to view/documents, surf the web, etc. or I can access my documents directly via Hamachi (a simple to use VPN program). To listen to my music from my laptop remotely, I simply start Hamachi and I’m able to stream (via iTunes library sharing) all my music.

Managing torrents/downloads:

I also use my server to handle all my torrent downloads. I use uTorrent with the webclient installed, which allows me to manage my download from anywhere using my No-ip address and a random port.

Data isolation/protection:

In the past year, I’ve installed several OS on my main PC (Vista, Ubuntu, XP) and I haven’t had to worry about my files, since they’re in my server. Also, to ensure my server stays up through power failures/surges, it’s protected with an inexpensive UPS. For data backups I use Mozy home, which is an internet backup service that costs $5 a month. Mozy runs every night on the server and I am currently backing up about 200 GB of data. I used to run my own backups via FTP but Mozy is painless and automatic. Installation took about 5 minutes and it took about 2 weeks for the initial backup (it had to upload about 150 GB of data). In case my sever dies, explodes or gets stolen, my data is safe with Mozy. HIGHLY RECOMENDED!

This setup is ideal for me, since I need to access my data from any computer in my apartment and also outside my network such as at a client’s office or on the road on my laptop. I tried installed Linux (Ubuntu flavored) but I ran into too many driver related issues (since this is a very old server) so I decided to go with XP. This setup can be easily replicated using an old PC lying around at your house and some work. Hamachi, RDC/VNC, Mozy and folder sharing are your best friends for data protection and access. Thanks to this server and the way its setup I can sleep well at night knowing my data is safe.

Stay tuned for part III where I discuss my main PC setup and an overview of my desk.