Using laptop as a server

[St4vr0s]

Hi all, I did not really know where to put this so I went with network.

I am using an old laptop in my attic as a little server, running a teamspeak server. I want to also make this computer run a forum of some sort. The laptop is kept thoroughly cool so I am not worried about that, currently the laptop is running windows 7 and hosting the teamspeak server without a problem.

I wanted to ask if I were to put the forums on the laptop and get it to host them as well would it be better for me to install a copy of Windows server 2008 on the machine?

I did not know if this would help or hinder the matter as obviously I want the forums and teamspeak to run as well as possible. If I were to goto windows server would the normal drivers work??

The spec of the laptop is a Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz with 4GB RAM and 250GB HDD and the internet connection is good enough that it should not be affected by the internet speeds.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am not sure what the effect would be of changing the OS

 

[pparks1]

I would also run a server based operating system over a desktop when it's intended purpose is to be a server and online and available 24x7.

Obviously, the issue with running a Windows based server will be cost. You need the server license and the appropriate CALS or an Internet connector license is you plan to run a forum for the world to use. This could get costly.

Another option (probably undesirable), would be to run a Linux server OS on the server (CentOS or Ubuntu Server) and run Teamspeak and your forum there. This eliminates all of the licensing issues with running a Windows based server OS. However, it means you need some Linux know how. Tons of forum software, including Vbulletin (probably most popular forum software), runs on Linux. For software like Vbulletin that requires PHP and MySQL support, I think it's kinda crazy to run them on a Windows host unless you have no skill using Linux and no interest in learning anything about Linux.

 

[brady]

you should be able to install/enable IIS on the laptop to run the forum from the current OS. I would highly suggest putting that laptop in the DMZ though. Exploits to IIS on an internal network will not be fun.