Built in RV server?

Kiwi_too wrote:
To me a server and network are two distinctly different items. A stable network does not require a constant server presence.

Depends.

If you manually assign IP and subnet addresses to a bunch of PCs connecting them through a network hub or wireless AP and create drive shares on each PC you can create a "mini" LAN (Local Area Network) which can be "viable".

The problem with that scenario is you forgo security and privacy between those PCs along with no real network "management".

Now if you have a router on this network you can forgo manually assigning IPs and subnet if you manually assign a group of IPs and a subnet on the router. While this does work you still have no true management of the network.

Basically what is missing in both of the above scenarios is there is no network logins, no central network management, you have to administer network rights at each PC. In a nutshell no security. Additionally Windows Workstation limits the the max allowable simultaneous connections to the PC to 5.

A server on the network works like a central traffic cop, you setup logins on the server which you can assign specific network access rights. The server can be setup with DHCP to dynamically assign IP addresses. It can serve as a central file storage. A server can also be setup to act as a "gateway" to OTHER LANs or even WANs (like the Internet) along with many other functions.

Not everyone wants or needs a server but for those who want one why bother questioning their reasoning?

I have a personal server setup for exclusively making backup images of my PCs.. Much faster to make or restore images over a gigabit network than a slow USB2 port..

My server sits all alone on it's own network apart from my DSL modem/router. Pretty darn hard to get a virus or malware on my server..

Backing or restoring only requires changing the network wire to the proper network hub port and booting (PC bootup via "Bart's PE CD boot which can not get or transmit a virus to my server) to my imaging software.

If a person wants a server, then they obviously have some reason for it...

If you are happy with what you have then continue on, no one is forcing you to buy and setup a full blown server and network..

mlts22 wrote:
The purposes that the server would handle don't really need a constant Internet connection, and even then, a LTE card or USB dongle is "good enough", as with Linux, routing/firewalling functionality is easy to accomplish.

A NAS is definitely on my list of features. Assuming the server is fed directly from the 12 volt side, I can leave it up with a LTE card and have the ability to store files remotely on it, either via SSH/sftp, WebDAV/SSH, or another protocol.

The Intel NUC board looks like a winner. It supports two PCIe cards (one would go for a NIC, one a SATA card, and a USB card for the LTE/3G/4G adapter.)

This is definitely not something I'd consider an enterprise grade server, but it performs a lot of menial tasks that the laptop wouldn't have to, be it a firewall, or another secure location for backups. For most things, a service like Dropbox is good, but there is nothing like packing one's own parachute, and SSD isn't too expensive.

The "NUC" looks like a interesting board but it too has some drawbacks to consider..

#1, requires mSATA drives like THESE and I believe it supports only ONE..

#2 No standard SATA drive connection

#3 More expensive than the equivalent standard processors/MB combo in mini ITX size MBs

Pros are

1# Extremely small foot print

#2 Extremely low power usage (16W for i5 processor)

Another extreme small size MB can also be found in "Pico ITX" size but they too have some limitations along with higher prices..

mlts22 wrote:
The purposes that the server would handle don't really need a constant Internet connection, and even then, a LTE card or USB dongle is "good enough", as with Linux, routing/firewalling functionality is easy to accomplish.

A NAS is definitely on my list of features. Assuming the server is fed directly from the 12 volt side, I can leave it up with a LTE card and have the ability to store files remotely on it, either via SSH/sftp, WebDAV/SSH, or another protocol.

The Intel NUC board looks like a winner. It supports two PCIe cards (one would go for a NIC, one a SATA card, and a USB card for the LTE/3G/4G adapter.)

This is definitely not something I'd consider an enterprise grade server, but it performs a lot of menial tasks that the laptop wouldn't have to, be it a firewall, or another secure location for backups. For most things, a service like Dropbox is good, but there is nothing like packing one's own parachute, and SSD isn't too expensive.

add ram, and vid card period

everything else built into a case.

Clicky

I'm used to servers and networks being completely distinct, similar with LAN and WAN fabrics. One thing that having a local server provides is the ability to back files up without having to worry about an external hard disk getting lost. Another thing is that files can be stashed on the box... then when the RV is parked and in storage, assuming there is shore power or the solar is good enough, the file server can remain on and still allow access to the files even when physically far away from the RV.

To me a server and network are two distinctly different items. A stable network does not require a constant server presence.

Maybe I've been around big business industry too long, for me a server is something that's plugged into the internet 24x7 running applications. The OP did not say anything about running a personal server for a limited number of personal devices. I can see, in this case, where a nice cubby-hole for a desktop PC or something with similar capabilities might be useful. Basically, all you're wanting to have available is something that will allow you to share data between personal devices. That I can understand.

When my son was in college he took computer programming classes, he also worked at Best Buy on the Geek squad. He built himself a "server" and was part of a gaming club that was in the process of coding their own software computer game. Each person contributed code. It was several years in the making, and I don't know if it ever really got finished. But one thing he had to do was keep his computer up and running 24x7, connected and his computer was a "server".

On a small private scale, off the internet grid, I see where your idea might be beneficial. But I would think a simple lap-top would serve the same function if all you're trying to do is share data between a few select devices.

The purposes that the server would handle don't really need a constant Internet connection, and even then, a LTE card or USB dongle is "good enough", as with Linux, routing/firewalling functionality is easy to accomplish.

A NAS is definitely on my list of features. Assuming the server is fed directly from the 12 volt side, I can leave it up with a LTE card and have the ability to store files remotely on it, either via SSH/sftp, WebDAV/SSH, or another protocol.

The Intel NUC board looks like a winner. It supports two PCIe cards (one would go for a NIC, one a SATA card, and a USB card for the LTE/3G/4G adapter.)

This is definitely not something I'd consider an enterprise grade server, but it performs a lot of menial tasks that the laptop wouldn't have to, be it a firewall, or another secure location for backups. For most things, a service like Dropbox is good, but there is nothing like packing one's own parachute, and SSD isn't too expensive.

My Network description... Two setups:
Current (Park has good Wi-FI)
Linksys WGA-54G "Modem" connected to park's wi-fi feeding Belkin router (Flakey) feeding 2 ReplayTV DVR's (Record or watch 2 shows at one time, record in one room, watch in another, all those modern features, Watch anywhere on Laptop or other devices, Download to computer and burn to DVD these DVRs are over 10 years old)
One "Desktop" (HP) running Windows XP and WiRNS (Windows Replay Network Server)
Two laptops: One mostly for running Ham Radio Delux (Very little net presence) and one for .. Most of what I do on the net
Two Android devices.. one mostly plays Pandora, the other is my cell phone.

Optional:
Two networks, The Replays and the WiRNS machine are one network
The cell phone as a "hot spot" connected with the laptops and the Server as the other, yes the server belongs to both networks as does one of the laptops (The one running Ham Radio Delux) since it is hard wired to the router (Used to use a laptop with a bad Wi-Fi Adapter so ran the hard line).

The WiRNS server really needs to see the net only once every week or two for one short program run and can do that via the cells hot spot if needed.

Works great for the most part. only real issue is the Wi-Fi side of the Belkin router sometimes flakes on me.

Gdetrailer wrote:

Lantley wrote:

Gdetrailer wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
If you decide to go with a server in your camper, you'll also need to have internet access 24x7. What system are you planning on using to access 24x7 internet service? But the bigger question is "Why?" Why would anyone want to do this, unless it a hobby or something. I work an IT job and even getting on my personal laptop is a real drain on me sometimes, because I get so sick and tired of being around computers!

:h

No, you DO NOT "NEED" Internet access 24/7 to run a "server".

I have run servers for years without any Internet in my home at at work... And they function perfectly if not better for the purpose I designed them for..

The only reason a server would need such access is if you were running applications on it that DEPEND on the Internet..

There are MANY reasons as to why one would wish to have a server and not all of those reason require Internet..

OP may simply just want to take all their movies, music, photos and other documents with them and be able to "share" those files BETWEEN OTHER devices within the confines of their RV or campsite. By doing so they can avoid the need for Internet since they would not be relying on the cloud, netflix or any other streaming sources...

Really !?
I think you are over thinking this. I bring a few movies on a flash drive. If I get really crazy I bring a whole bunch of them on a portable hard drive. I can't imagine the average camper needing much more data than a portable hard drive can handle.

Umm.. perhaps you could enlighten use on how you would go about sharing and using the files on a flash drive on multiple devices ALL at the same time?

Perhaps you have some neat way of cutting up the flash drive and inserting pieces of it in every device?

Bet that would work real well.. :R

I am not over thinking things.. Servers can be your friend when you need multiple "shares" at the exact same time, something a flash drive or an external HD CAN NOT DO.

NAS would be a better way if you don't want to mess with a real server but they do have some pitfalls in the fact they are not very customizable. They are easy to setup but that comes at a price of less customizing to your needs..

For those who do not wish to mess with a server, you do not really need an actual server OS. Windows XP, 7 and such can act like a simple file server giving you up to 5 simple network share connections..

Why do I need multiple shares at the exact same time? We are talking watching movies. I do have more than one $10.00 flash drive in case someone wants to watch a different movie at the same time. I have no need for for access to all my data throughout the RV. Your server idea is more of a neat project than an actual need. For the average camper a laptop is all the computer power required.

I have a pocket router with sd card for watching movies on a tablet or multiple tablets. That is all I need.

RAVPower FileHub pocket router