8 Ways Having a Desktop Server at Home is Useful to the Family

If you've worked in an office environment or a medium size business of some kind, there is a good chance that a server was the backbone of your networking infrastructure. A server can keep the wheels turning in a corporate environment and giving immense control over what goes on across the network. Could a desktop server for the home be equally as beneficial?

1. Limit Users - By assigning everyone in the family their own logins to a home domain, you can ensure separation and privacy for the family. The younger children won't have the access to install random pieces of software decreasing the chance of the computer getting clogged with junk-ware.

2. File Storage - Many households will have a large list of downloaded content whether they are MP3s or movies. A centralized location where these are stored will help keep individual computers free of clutter. It's also beneficial for the children to watch movies designated for their specific access using group policies. Mom and Dad can keep their movies separate by policies as well.

3. Time Constraints - Using a home server gives the parents a capability to only allow log ins from children during certain hours of the day. While many routers may have this ability for Internet control, it's a way to keep kids from playing "sick" from school and playing localized games instead.

4. Control of Browsers - Group policy objects in a server environment can give you control of Internet browsers depending on your version of the server software. You can brand Internet Explorer, show specific home pages, monitor history activity, and more using server software for the home network.

5. The Desktop Environment - Group policy also gives the parents control of the desktop environment regardless of what computer the child logs into. His or her specific credentials are loaded each time so removal of the start menu, hiding C: drive, specific desktop backgrounds, and more follow them. It's another method to ensure the stability of the computer system by removing settings that can be altered to create havoc.

6. Print Sharing - Printing from a centralized printer for all family content could eliminate the need to buy more than one. This could help in paper and ink costs as the print jobs can be monitored as well.

7. Spiceworks - Although the Spiceworks program is best suited for the IT department, it could work in a home setting as well. Spiceworks installed on the home server can give you all the information about every computer and device connected to your network with a simple scan. You can monitor what is installed where and what computers need upgrades to keep your family running smooth. As this program is free to use, it is a good investment to keep an eye on your network's health.

8. Expanding Capabilities - Using a desktop server in the home can let yourself and your family develop applications within the network. This could be a great experience for high school students looking into software development. In the server setting, a database can be stored for any information collection and programs can be designed for nearly any purpose.

Software such as Windows Server 2003 and so on will run on a desktop computer system without having to alter hardware settings. Although you're not using the server to its fullest potential in a desktop setting, it is a cost effective way to provide tools and stability to a family environment.

Author Bio

Nancy Parker is a professional www.enannysource.com and she loves to write about wide range of subjects like health, Parenting, Child Care, Babysitting, nanny background check tips etc. You can reach her @ nancy.parker015 @ gmail.com