As the title suggests I am new to building servers. I’ve built and know how to work on desktop and notebook PC’s and I’d like to build a server that my family and friends can use to share photos, notes, music, ect. I’m away at college right now and this is something I’ve wanted to do to keep in touch with distant friends so, that being said, I have a couple of questions.

1. I know there are some components that you don’t need in a server like a Sound card so could you give me a list of components i should look at? (you don’t have to provide actual parts unless you want to, if I know what I’m looking for I can probably find it on newegg.com)

2. Software: Which OS is best? I unfortunately don’t know Linux or Unix. Alongside the OS, what FTP software would be best? I want it to be able to be multi user that they either have to sign into or in some form prove they are who they say they are. I also would like the ability to encrypt files so if my friends put something on that they don’t want someone else to see they can encrypt the file and give the password to who they DO want to share it with. I can clarify if that doesn’t make sense.

3. Lastly, how is this going to work? in other words, will I need to buy an IP address from my ISP or something? How will my friends and family address the server if they’re not in my LAN?

I know there are prebuilt servers out there but i wasn’t sure if i should be looking for a NAS or something else, regardless though i’d like to build my own for the experience and just cause i think it’d be fun. my price range isn’t extravagent, i’d hope for something under $1000.00.

Thanks in advance for your help.