Share via

Want to turn old Windows 10 machine into Webserver and more

Tim Perc 21 Reputation points
2022-12-28T20:16:06.367+00:00

I'll start by saying I am making a bunch of assumptions based on what I know. If I am wrong, please let me know, Here is the network setup I am going for.
I bought a Synology nas some time ago, hoping it would help me in this endeavor, but I seem to have bought an under-powered one.

Modem ---- Webserver in its own network (no connect to home computers)
|
--- Wifi +Lan router connected to all home computers and printer

My Goals for the webserver:

  1. I have a domain name already registered. I used to use this, and a bunch of web pages stored in GoDaddy to serve family photos to anyone going to my page. I want to serve those web pages from my home Webserver.
  2. Would be great to also be able to use it as a Minecraft server.
  3. Even better if I am also use it to serve movies to my kids in other states.
  4. I'd like to achieve my goals without paying a monthly fee. I don't mind paying up front for a nice router, but I'd rather not may AWS or Azure.

My questions:

  1. Do I need a static IP address? Is there a cheap/free way of getting one?
  2. Do I need a better Router that my 8+ year old one? If so, which do you recommend?
  3. Is there a bunch of instructions a semi-technical guy can follow? Link?
  4. How safe can I feel with this server on its own lan, and not have bad guys on my private network?
  5. Are there easy instruction on how to achieve goals 2+3? I have not had good luck getting a Plex server working.
Windows development | Internet Information Services
0 comments
Accepted answer
  1. Lex Li 6,037 Reputation points
    2023-01-08T16:33:11.21+00:00

    Please make no assumption that you can ever achieve that with Windows 10.

    Windows 10 is a client Windows edition that comes with all kinds of built-in limitation (such as concurrent connection limits) to prevent it from being used as a production web server, and only suitable for development usage or other typical daily scenarios.

    Use search engines to learn what are the common alternative home server solutions please. Many cheap or free options are out there, but not from Microsoft any more since Windows Home Server was discontinued many years ago.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

1 additional answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Jordan Millama 1,386 Reputation points
    2022-12-28T21:02:18.443+00:00
    1. You don't NEED one, but it is highly recommended, otherwise you'll have to re-point your webserver every time your public IP address changes. There may be workarounds when using dynamic address but I'm not overly familiar. Static public IPs are typically dependent on your ISP (usually an extra cost and/or "business" accounts), my ISP just happens to just use static IPs.
    2. Router should be fine, as long as you can modify some settings like port forwarding, unless you need other features.
    3. YouTube is a great resource for this stuff actually. NetworkChuck, Chris Titus Tech, and Linus Tech Tips come to mind, they have quite a bit regarding networking, your mentioned goals, and questions.
    4. For what you're using it for, shouldn't have to worry too much. Only open ports that you need.
    5. YouTube and I'm sure Google can easily get you through # 2-3

    ----------

    Please accept as an answer if this was helpful.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as Accepted Answers by the question author, which helps users to know the answer solved the author's problem.