TECHPopuli

Home Is Where the Server Is

Simson Garfinkel, MIT Technology Review:

You’ve got your high-speed Internet connection, you’ve wired the house with high-speed cable, and you’ve installed, or are seriously contemplating, a wireless LAN. What’s next? The answer is simple: you set up a home server.

A server in your home allows easy storage, retrieval, and backup of your files—at very little cost.

I think this an excellent and cool idea. But you should keep in mind that running a server on the most common home broadband connections is, strictly speaking, a violation of the Terms of Service.

Not all providers are enforcing these rules in every case, but very high amounts data traffic across your connection, has been known to set off alarms. Most providers do offer higher service levels ( for a higher price) which do allow this kind of thing.

I'm not saying not to do it, but use caution and common sense.

Posted by jackhodgson at March 24, 2004 10:41 AM