[Forum] Running my own server???????

[Trevor Matthews]

Hi all
I am not sure this is the right section to ask but here goes.

As some of you know, I run a TV engineers, we use Mediafire exclusively to store and share our files.
This has worked perfectly for the past few years.

However, two nights ago the Internet Watch Foundation, based in the UK, in cahoots with the UK ISP's placed a block on all Mediafire download links.

Although Mediafire put things right at their end and the block was lifted, BT are still blocking Mediafire download links.

Now as I am with BT with a fibre optic connection, 80 Meg down - 20 Meg up, I am unable to access my own files as are other on my forum who are with BT.
Hopefully someone at BT will eventually sort the problem out but this has got me thinking....... Is there a better way???????????????

Is it possible to run a home server for my forum and store all the files myself on the server.
That way I would have full control.
As my new BT Infinity connection is pretty fast could I actually achieve this???
Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Come Monday, if the problem isn't resolved and all the members are back on-line there is going to be serious trouble................

[Ace]

Does your ISP provide you with one or more static IP addresses?

Do they allow hosting on their connections?

Do they block port 25 (or others)?

You might want to check on these things before starting.

[Zachery]

Sure, but we wouldn't recommend it.
You're far better off paying for a shared host.

[Trevor Matthews]

Or just store my files on the server and leave the forum on the VPS.

- - - Updated - - -

I will enquire about those points, thanks.

[Zachery]

For storing lots of files, a shared hoster with "unlimited storage" would be best. Just need to figure out how to let users store their files there. That is assuming nothing that you keep on the shared host is irreplaceable.

[Trevor Matthews]

All files submitted by members are uploaded to a Mediafire dropbox at the moment.

When you say Shared Hoster, are you talking about a home server set up purely to host our files.
Apparently BT do not block Port 25.
The IP address is dynamic but a friend thinks there is a way around that problem.

I would be happy if just the files were available from my home to the members.

- - - Updated - - -

Whilst checking the things mentioned above I noticed that BT do a unlimited business package.
Looks like this might be ideal.
http://business.bt.com/broadband-and-internet/business-broadband/pricing/

I can get 1 or 5 static address's with that option.

Would this be perfect for at least storing all the service manuals and files that are currently with Mediafire?

[Zachery]

No I'm talking about something like hostgator.

[Trevor Matthews]

Ah right.
I am with 1and1 currently with a base pack VPS, only 20Gig of storage.
I could upgrade but the top storage is still only 80Gig and that is £20 a month more.

Not really sure what to do for the best. I certainly don't like having all my files at Mediafire just incase this very issue or worse happens.
We have 52Gig stored at the moment.

[beishe8]

Is it possible to run a home server for my forum and store all the files myself on the server.
That way I would have full control.

Not recommended.
A server needs to run 24 hours/day reliably.
At home the cats,dogs,rats,etc. could touch some cable,switch, unnoticed.
The server would become dead for the outside world.

[Zachery]

If hostgator offers an "unlimited package" you could have your members upload your files there, and keep your 1&1 vps.

[Trevor Matthews]

Looks like I can just add an new 1and 1 account that would do all that, a little more each month but I have been with them for many years.

Thanks guys, I think I know what to do now.

[MRGTB]

If you want to run a site proper, it has to be there 24/7 (all the time), and that's not something you'll find yourself doing when self-hosting. Like when you go to bed at night, you'll be thinking about things going wrong while asleep, such as a fire happening by accident as a result of doing it. You'll end up turning the computer off when going to bed, so you might as well forget it.

[Trevor Matthews]

I worry about the forum going down all the time anyway
We get into the red sometimes with certain resources, numfile etc etc
Might need to go to the next VPS package to cure that one as well.

[AusPhotography]

We use Photonvps.com XEN VPS - great value!
XEN is better than Virtuozzo hosting as it cant be oversold like hostgator does.

[donald1234]

Don't know if this is what you need but you can check it out. http://www.knowhow.com/uk/help-suppo...spx?country=uk