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Want to take off the load of your phone or personal computer? Or want to take control of your data?
Setting up your own server at home would do the job for you. It’s easy to set up and can help you store and share files, videos, music, documents, photos, etc.
Let us take you through the simple process of creating your server at home that’s fast and efficient.
READ: Everything You Need to Know About Web Servers and Types of Web Servers
How to Set Up Your Server at Home?
To set up your own server at home, you’ll need a few easily available hardware. Remember that it will be a personal server. Suppose you are looking for a professional server to store a huge amount of data. In that case, it’s recommended to choose a web hosting provider like BigRock and opt for a VPS or Dedicated Server to get everything you need.
Now, back to the personalized server, here are the key components to assemble it:
Get a dedicated personal computer
You need a personal computer with sufficient capacity proportional to your server’s usage. This is also important in case you have plans upgrading your server in the future to store and share files. After all, your computer’s performance highly depends on your server’s speed and performance.
Choose an Operating System
There are numerous Operating Systems you can choose from. If you prefer premium features, you can opt for a paid one. Meanwhile, if you’re tight on budget, an open-source operating system will do.
Some of the common operating systems you might’ve come across are Windows, RedHat, Fedora, Linux, and CentOS. However, Linux would be the most preferred OS choice as it is readily available and open source. Choose your Operating System depending on your PC edition (64-bit or 32-bit).
Ensure active broadband (internet) connection
To start uploading and downloading files to and from your server, you will need a fast and active internet connection. It’s most recommended to connect your server with a router to a LAN network.
A network router with ethernet
Again, you need a high-speed internet connection to store and share files efficiently. So, make it a priority to invest in a reliable router that operates 24/7, ensuring maximum uptime and zero interruption.
READ: What is a Virtual Server: Pros and Cons to Consider for Your Business
What if You Want to Upgrade Your Server?
You might want to upgrade your server’s storage later. It could be because you already have more files to store or you’re planning to share them with a larger audience. In this case, you need to look at these factors:
Scalability:
Remember, your server is not intended for heavy-duty use. It’s only set up on a personal computer which may hinder you from increasing its storage space. As a result, file download/upload speed may not be as scalable as it you would want it to be.
Security:
Your data is still vulnerable to security threats since your server is connected to LAN and not on a private network.
Power:
You may lose server data during a prolonged power failure and lack of portable power supply.
External environment:
Servers at home are affected by external environmental factors like moisture and dust, which can affect its performance.
Ready to Set Up Your Home Server?
Creating a personal server at home may sound exciting. However, it’s best to purchase a reliable web hosting package for high functionality, better protection, and easy scalability.
Hosting options like VPS Server and Specialised/Dedicated Server allow you to customise your server according to your preferences besides providing ample server space.
You can explore these hosting options with BigRock. Our hosting is fully equipped with cPanel (Demo)/Plesk (Demo) Control and provides 99.99% uptime, 24/7 technical support, unlimited emails, unmetered space and transfer, and more.
READ: Are Dedicated Servers Safe? 5 Ways to Ensure Security of Dedicated Server