Serving databases is an ENTIRELY different animal from what you want. You want a file/web server, not a DB server. Much cheaper and easier.
The first way to do this is Linux, and I will be the first to admit I have basically no idea what you need for that. I suspect the right apps and/or distro could give you a LOT of server functionality in a fairly small amount of computer-space, but I'd not want to tackle that.
As far as Windows goes, the best options are, Windows Server 2008 and Win7. Server is outside the budget (and I don't need to know the budget), and 7 is too big for a frankenputer. If you wanted lost of options, simple configuration, and didn't mind spending some dosh, you could probably pick up a used copy of Server 2003 off the 'net. It's XP-based, so that's not such a big drain on your hardware. Short of that, XP itself, with the right apps, can be a file server, FTP/VPN server, and a number of other things.
As for firewalls, I'd say you should plunk down a software firewall on the server, and do some aggressive port blocking on your router. Between the two of those, you'll get some quite decent security.
My Unitarian Jihad Name is: Brother Atom Bomb of Courteous Debate. Get yours.
I've been writing a bit.
The first way to do this is Linux, and I will be the first to admit I have basically no idea what you need for that. I suspect the right apps and/or distro could give you a LOT of server functionality in a fairly small amount of computer-space, but I'd not want to tackle that.
As far as Windows goes, the best options are, Windows Server 2008 and Win7. Server is outside the budget (and I don't need to know the budget), and 7 is too big for a frankenputer. If you wanted lost of options, simple configuration, and didn't mind spending some dosh, you could probably pick up a used copy of Server 2003 off the 'net. It's XP-based, so that's not such a big drain on your hardware. Short of that, XP itself, with the right apps, can be a file server, FTP/VPN server, and a number of other things.
As for firewalls, I'd say you should plunk down a software firewall on the server, and do some aggressive port blocking on your router. Between the two of those, you'll get some quite decent security.
My Unitarian Jihad Name is: Brother Atom Bomb of Courteous Debate. Get yours.
I've been writing a bit.