WHS 2011 as a gaming server

[ohhbass]

I am thinking about using my home server to host some small game servers for me and some friends. This would mean that i would have to open certain game ports for port forwarding. Would doing so compromise my network? and is there any extra security compared to normal home anti virus/firewall that i would need?

Basic Components:
Core i3 2100t
8GB ram
2TB storage

 

[PistolPete]

Anything you do to allow access from external source "compromises" your network, but to what extent.

Provided you open up what you need and don't open massive ranges of ports then you limit the exposure to external threats.

 

[RimBlock]

Looking at the same thing and currently have a lan only Minecraft server running on it for my kids and me to play around with.

I am also looking to open this up to selected friends after getting my FTTD installed in the middle of next month (200Mbps/100Mbps - upload 25Mbps international).

WHS2011 runs a restrictive firewall so it drops everything not explicitly defined. This is good. You can also restrict incoming connections to IP addresses / address ranges so you can allow only your friends ip addresses to connect (if they don't have a rotating IP address). IIRC there is not a great deal open in the firewall as it is configured as a server (based on 2008r2). HTTP/HTTPS/RDP are all open though for the WHS web login.

One point of note though is that all external communication from the server is permissive by default so if you get something nasty installed there is nothing stopping it from 'calling out'.

The only other issue I can foresee with using WHS as a game server is that it is limited to 8GB ram and runs on around 1.8GB (mine is stock config + DHCP server + WSUS server). Not an issue for the time being if you are only likely to host a few friends but may become more of an issue if you let more and more people on latter.

What are you planning to host on it ?.

RB