Use base Mac Mini as VPN & FTP Server?

[Adamantoise]

Hey guys,

I know the base Mac Mini doesn't come with OS X Lion Server, but it's offered in the App Store as a $50 application.

Although one doesn't need Lion Server to set up VPN and FTP, I think the GUI tools shall come in handy. I just don't really want to mess with terminal commands if I don't have to.

My question is, does this sound reasonable? Get a base Mac Mini to use as a server? I shall be upgrading the RAM immediately, and hopefully two WD Scorpio Blues (RAID 0)

I already own a 2011 13" Macbook Pro ... But I don't think using a Laptop as a server is a good idea, especially if it's always supposed to be on.

I also own a Dell XPS 8100 Windows 7 Desktop ... But I am not sure leaving that tower on indefinitely is a good idea either.

 

[jmcgeejr]

Hey guys,

I know the base Mac Mini doesn't come with OS X Lion Server, but it's offered in the App Store as a $50 application.

Although one doesn't need Lion Server to set up VPN and FTP, I think the GUI tools shall come in handy. I just don't really want to mess with terminal commands if I don't have to.

My question is, does this sound reasonable? Get a base Mac Mini to use as a server? I shall be upgrading the RAM immediately, and hopefully a Samsung 830 Series SSD.

I already own a 2011 13" Macbook Pro ... But I don't think using a Laptop as a server is a good idea, especially if it's always supposed to be on.

I also own a Dell XPS 8100 Windows 7 Desktop ... But I am not sure leaving that tower on indefinitely is a good idea either.

The base mini is a great small form factor server, as long as you dont plan on doing any intense transcoding for media hosting.

 

[Adamantoise]

The base mini is a great small form factor server, as long as you dont plan on doing any intense transcoding for media hosting.

Well it's mainly to just host files that I need access to when away from my home (mainly music, movies, and my Adobe Lightroom library).

If I need to convert media from one format to another I do all that intensive stuff on my Desktop PC (it's my main computer, I play some games so there's no compromise there)

Do you think this set up should work? I don't need that much storage so I'm thinking of either using dual Samsung 830 SSD (RAID 0) or dual Scorpio Blacks (RAID 0) ... I'm thinking the Scorpio Blacks make more sense for this application as I cannot expect to see consistent SSD throughput over VPN.

Edit: Oh I forgot to mention, it's also intended to bypass my workplace firewall as I need access to some sites while I'm at work.