Legit Reviews

I have a old server - or I may want to build a low power PC to use as a home server - but in either case I want to set up and FTP site so I can share documents with my friends and family easily and keep all my media in once place. I have googled setting up a FTP site but nothing seems to really go over it easily. Do I need to get a static IP registered or does windows server 2008 have its own type of DNS in it that I wouldnt need that? I have a copy of server 2003 and server 2008 to use - I assume either of these would work fine.

or would a program like FileZilla 3.3.5.1 work better maybe?

You can use either one of those and install IIS and FTP service. If you don't have a dedicated IP to use you can use dynamic dns. They can be a bit of a pain, i just use the free hosting sites these days.

FileZilla should work OK. However FTP is an inherently insecure protocol especially if it is Internet facing.

You could use IIS to setup a web server but that can be problematic and time consuming as well.

One option might be this:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/produc ... nnect.mspx

The current version is based on Server 2003 code but by spring sometime WHS 2011 will be released (it is in RC now just downloaded it). 2011 is based on Server 2008 R2 code.

I would use Something based on Server 2008 any way you go unless it is with something like FileZilla.

EDIT - Heres a link to register to download the WHS 2011 RC if interested. http://connect.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver

thanks for the info - I am downloading WHS v2 now. I will just see if I have a IDE DVD drive at home, the server I have only has a CD.

I currently used a program called eFTP to set up the FTP site. I have it working kinda.... I can access the FTP on my home network - but I am not sure how to get it open to the net.
I registered a domain on a DNS service so I wouldnt need a static IP address but I am at a loss at trying to sync the two.

reading the documnets for windows home server it looks like that might be a easier option. but I am still not exactly sure how to get that on the web exactly. its a lot overkill for what I am trying to do but it would work.