Windows Server Edition?

Question

I have a computer lying in my room and i wanted a server. is there anyway to get server editon???

Answer 1

ok listen, a legal copy of windows 2000 server, is going to cost much more that a computer that is laying around... depending on the use that you want to give it at a server, you could even use windows xp pro and have a nice file server and configure it to be a web server... your limitations doing that from home are: windows xp pro (no home edition) can handle 5 clients at same time.
windows 2000 server or 2003 server, is going to cost you up to $1000 for the software.
you would have to have an internet connection with an static IP so it can resolve to http calls. This service is rather expensive... around 80-100 a month.

to tell you the truth I would just use it for file server. Currently there are web hosting services that cost as little as 2.99 a month and includes a free domain name. so compare:

$3 a month for a server already running a server class OS an already connected to an static IP.

at least $500 for an OS that needs an expert to set it up, plus $80 for static IP. (no to mention the fact that you PC is just a pc that's laying around...)

now if you really need a aserver just to practice, start by using xp pro, it's very easy.

Answer 2

Yes. Windows 2003 Server Edition.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/

It's the next generation windows 2000 server, and is closely related to XP...but focused on services without stuff you don't need. It's the only Windows I use, even for just regular computer use. It's much more stable than xp.

...although, depending on the age of the computer and type of server you want to run, Linux is probably a much better choice for you. And it's free. Pretty much, I would go whith Linux UNLESS I wanted to run Microsoft specific services, like .NET and SQL Server.

But if you just want a regular like FTP and HTTP with PHP server, Linux is even faster and more secure. I suggest Slackware for a server, because it's easy to choose only the programs you need. My webserver is actually running Apache/MySQL on Slackware. Read the Slackware manual though as you install.

http://www.slackware.com/

Answer 3

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/purchasing/default.mspx
go to this website or try to buy it on ebay.