Is it possible to use use an old laptop as a cloud server?

I'm planing to get a new laptop in the next few months and was thinking about what to do with the old when I started wondering if it was possible to use it as cloud server so I can access my files any anywhere. If not has anyone tried pogoplug?

asked Nov 11 '10 at 14:02

markd12
3.6k●91●114●152

4 Answers:

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2	yes. you just need to set port forwarding ftp in your router and install filezilla server in windows answered Nov 11 '10 at 14:41 Tim Fontana (suspended) 1 Or any other FTP server if he's on Linux. (Nov 11 '10 at 15:07) Timn96

there are a couple issues with this: FTP is not secure by any means... so private documents should not be on there

another issue is port forwarding (which is easily overcame).

you would open a door into your private network... which puts all your computers at risk, if you are prepared for this then go for it.

but the final issue is a lot of home ISPs block the use of incoming server requests for home use. this is both for security and profit (they can charge more if you get a business line.) in addition to that you need to have a constant unchanging IP address... if it changes you need to know what the new one is... this could be a problem.

i would use a striped down version of Linux on it that you can telnet/ssh into.

answered Nov 11 '10 at 15:19

trueb
15.0k●49●99●256

Can you recommend a linux distro?

(Nov 11 '10 at 15:23) markd12

I'd suggest FreeBSD, Solaris or Debian for a server.

(Nov 11 '10 at 17:06) Seb

is it hard to get set up?

(Nov 12 '10 at 12:16) markd12

0	for the dynamic ip part... setup an account here: (referral link) http://www.no-ip.com/referral/index.php/client/giantkin@giantkin.com been using it for years, love it. gk answered Nov 12 '10 at 02:02 giantkin 0●1

0	possibly aslong as the laptop isn't too old and can manage to run appropriate OS and software needed to run a Cloud network. answered Nov 15 '10 at 13:23 coolsecretspy 556●7●9●15

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