Ok, I'll first explain what I want then I'll ask what I need. I own a retail Mass Multiplayer Online game, which I have several friends who do as well. I won't get into that though. I am wanting to host my own server in my house, which other computers are able to connect to from the internet to. I do not own 2 separate computers, so I need to balance uses as a server computer and a personal computer. Which Operating System is recommended, Windows XP Professional or Windows Server 2003 Standard/Enterprise? Also, is there a "IN-DEPTH" guide (I have moderate tech skills, and will easily understand new steps) on how to set up a server including IP, DNS, services, etc...for my particular needs? Also, a guide with good techincals will be nice too, for future learning on servers. The game I want to use seems to utilize MySQL primarily, and high amount of storage containing the "game worlds".

I am wanting to host my own server in my house, which other computers are able to connect to from the internet to. I do not own 2 separate computers, so I need to balance uses as a server computer and a personal computer Ok, without meaning to be, or sound, rude....you have to understand that this isn't a great idea. First of all, yourhighspeed internet package isn't likely to have high enough bandwidth to support a busy server. If it's just two or three of your friends connecting to your server, it might work ok, providing you're not actually trying to play the game at the same time on the same computer. Which leads me to my second reason why this isn't a good idea. It would sort of work ok with a separate server to host the game. But if you're planning on playing the game, on the same PC that's hosting the server.....well, your performance is going to suck big time! Since what you'd like to do is not a good idea, I highly recommend against doing this unless you can make a couple of things happen. One, you'll most definately want a separate computer for the server side software of the game. Second, you'll either want a 5 Mbps, or faster, internet connection, or even better yet, a separate internet connection for your server that isolates it away from your main connection.

Ok, so even if I get another computer...and have the bandwidth. How would I do it, set up a server properly? I'll do whatever is needed, even if another PC. Answer my question, please disregard my intentions.

Forget about windows 2003 it is geared toward admin rights and security over a network, win xp pro or some linux distro is best. That is if the game will run on linux!! If you do get 2 pcs then you will need a router as well, and may have to forwrd some ports on the router if you have it setup for using static ips which you would have to do really. What game is it, it should be all set up for you, just start the games server running(listening for connections), and config the games settings?

If you do get 2 pcs then you will need a router as well, and may have to forwrd some ports on the router if you have it setup for using static ips which you would have to do really. Correction: That should say, "will have to forward ports..." You'll have to forward the port(s) the game itself uses and point that at the IP address of the game server. As to more info on setup, knowing which game would help a lot as they all do differ somewhat and if it's one I've have experience with, I can give you detailed help. Basically though, the guy above said it all, you install the game, then run the server side. It will 'listen' for connections (this is where the port forwarding on the router comes in). Generally speaking, the instructions for installing/configuring/running a game server come with the game software.