Hardware Based Server vs Virtualized Server

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kuroteckie

kuroteckie

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Nov 14, 2017
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Good day to you all.

In the near future, I want to build a FTP/Media Server to basically have my own version of Netflix on my own HTPC and the ability to access files when I am away from my computer or on a (tech) job. I currently have been studying a little about virtualization and see many great benefits to it but since I am still new am not sure of all the pros and cons of virtualizing as opposed to letting the OS and hardware take care of everything. So I have a couple questions hopefully that can be answered


1. Would it be better to run FileZillia in a virtual environment or just install it on the system itself?

2. What would be some of the pros and cons of virtualizing as opposed to having the server on the computer itself?

Thanks in advanced to all who help
 
Solution
abailey
There are many good things about having a virtual environment for servers. One of the pro's of a virtualized environment is the ability to run multiple virtual servers on one piece of hardware. In your case this may not apply. Virtual environments are also very good for testing. I run a VMWARE ESXI server at home. I wanted to test PFSense out so I loaded it up in a virtual environment and was able to test it with a virtual workstation behind it. Pretty cool. Another neat thing about some virtual environments (like VMWARE) is the ability to move the virtual server to another hard drive without having to reload it. This makes upgrades very easy. Anyway the main advantage is the ability to have multiple servers on one piece of...
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Alabalcho

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Jan 13, 2011
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If you go "virtual route", you will need a little bit "beefier" server. You'll also look after at least two OSes - one for the server itself, one for the virtual server inside.

But if all you need is HTPC server and occasional FTP access from the outside, single server will do. Just make sure your port formwarding / firewall rules are correct, since you're going open parts of that server to the outside.
 
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kuroteckie

kuroteckie

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Ah I appreciate your answer. I am aware of the setup installation process I was just inquiring about the advantages/disadvantages between a hardware based server and a server that was virtualized
 
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abailey

abailey

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There are many good things about having a virtual environment for servers. One of the pro's of a virtualized environment is the ability to run multiple virtual servers on one piece of hardware. In your case this may not apply. Virtual environments are also very good for testing. I run a VMWARE ESXI server at home. I wanted to test PFSense out so I loaded it up in a virtual environment and was able to test it with a virtual workstation behind it. Pretty cool. Another neat thing about some virtual environments (like VMWARE) is the ability to move the virtual server to another hard drive without having to reload it. This makes upgrades very easy. Anyway the main advantage is the ability to have multiple servers on one piece of hardware.
Edit: I forgot. Another cool thing (at least for VMWARE - as that is the only virtual environment I really know) is the ability to take a snapshot of a server before you make a change to it. If your change messes stuff up you can revert to your snap shot and your back to where you were before you tried your change.
 
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nigelivey

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Not that you would want to run Pf as a virtual instance on a server in the real world. It's your gatekeeper but as you stated great for testing.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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If this "FTP/Media Server " is going to be in its own physical box, no virtualization needed. Just run it all on the basic hardware.
If you're thinking of running this on your main daily driver box, then I would put that in its own VM.

But then, I wouldn't expose my main box to the outside world to begin with.

And for this:
"and the ability to access files when I am away from my computer or on a (tech) job"
...there are a LOT of things you need to consider before going down that road. If you can access if from the outside world, maybe someone else can as well.
Tread carefully here.
 
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kuroteckie

kuroteckie

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Hmm, that's very informative. It will really help with the construction of the media server. Thank you for your suggestion




I was going to enable TLS on FileZilla after setting it up and also see if I could apply a tunneling protocol to make it more secure. I'd probably wind up setting some kinda of remote app on my phone and just bring up the file server when I need it instead of letting it run 24/7. I thought about also sending magic packets there for WOL, I haven't decided yet though =P
 
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