Home Servers and You

Servers, in simple terms, are basically a computer configured to work as a task master. They manage a multitude of network requests, different application jobs, files, and processes. A server can be used for a variety of purposes, but they are commonly used for web hosting solutions.  A server can "serve" a variety of purposes, whether you need something to manage file storage, host a web site, or handle email for an internal network. They can prove quite versatile and utile where needed.
Web hosting servers are generally configured in three offerings: shared hosting, virtual, and dedicated. Shared web hosting is extremely common these days as it has become easy to implement and very affordable. Websites on a shared hosting solution all use the same IP and share system resources. Virtual servers, on the other hand, are separate "virtual" entities on the system which act like their own individual servers, wherein they each receive their own allocation of resources. Lastly, dedicated servers use the entire system and have access to all the system's resources.

If you are looking to setup your own web server then you will also need the right server software. Server software is available commercially, but much of the open-sourced solutions can be found for free. A vast list exists for server software options; however, home users may want to consider such software as: Ubuntu Server Edition, FreeBSD, Red Hat Linux, FreeNas, Debian, and Windows Home Server. All but the last option can be had for free.
If you plan to configure, or have already setup, a home computer to run as a web server, you might also want to consider setting up as a file server as well. With so many people requiring an ever increased amount of memory and hard drive space, it makes sense to setup a file storage solution within the walls of your own home.
Why setup your own home server? Everyone has their own reasons. You may just have an old computer lying around that could be put to better use. Also, with online web hosting so readily available for cheap, sometimes it may not be worth all the money and effort to setup your own server. A virtual or personal dedicated server may make sense for small businesses and some people who need more control over everything.

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