Just set up a dedicated server on an extra PC. What precautions should I take next? - Help

So I have an extra PC at that's older but still halfway decent. I have a home file server set up on it already for personal use, and I decided that I'd create a dedicated server for TTT. I now have a clean install of srcds all set up with ULX, crash protection, a fancy loading screen, an MOTD, and port forwarded through port 27015 so the entire world can see it. It works great. But this leads to my next question. If I'm not using a server host/provider and I'm just using an extra PC that's on 24/7 at my house, is there anything further I need to do to protect it from being exploited or attacked? Or just anything in general I should do with it next? Since most official-looking servers pay to have their servers hosted, what benefits does a server host have over my own free setup at home? I hope these questions aren't too obvious. I'm aware that DDOS attacks are harmful for even hosted servers, so there may be no way around that. I'm just trying to get a grasp on things as far as server hosting goes and what I should be prepared for if my server would start getting a lot of traffic.

If you pay for hosts, you get better specs, and most definitely better internet. For example, the servers I run have a 1gb upload speed. I doubt your home internet has 30mb. I advise that if you're going to run a large server (I.E. a DarkRP, PERP, HL2RP or TTT) then you should purchase a host. [url]https://elpishost.com/[/url]

[QUOTE=Mors Quaedam;40149415]If you pay for hosts, you get better specs, and most definitely better internet. For example, the servers I run have a 1gb upload speed. I doubt your home internet has 30mb. I advise that if you're going to run a large server (I.E. a DarkRP, PERP, HL2RP or TTT) then you should purchase a host. [url]https://elpishost.com/[/url][/QUOTE] Gotcha. So are computer specs and bandwith the only two upsides to purchasing a host? I'd say that bandwith is probably more of a main factor, since it doesn't take a very powerful PC to run a Gmod server.

Yeah. My home internet: [IMG]http://puu.sh/2p5h7[/IMG] My server's internet: [IMG]http://puu.sh/2m2Z4[/IMG] Right now I have ~50 players connected over 5 different servers. No lag at all. (This is a VPS @ Leaseweb I'm on about here)

[QUOTE=Matt2468rv;40150188]Gotcha. So are computer specs and bandwith the only two upsides to purchasing a host? I'd say that bandwith is probably more of a main factor, since it doesn't take a very powerful PC to run a Gmod server.[/QUOTE] You are 100% correct. It doesn't take much, but sending out that movement data, networked variables, and all the other fun stuff is usually what causes lag/latency rather than actual computation unless theres lots of physics goin on. [editline]3rd April 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=Mors Quaedam;40150424]Yeah. My home internet: [IMG]http://puu.sh/2p5h7[/IMG] My server's internet: [IMG]http://puu.sh/2m2Z4[/IMG] Right now I have ~50 players connected over 5 different servers. No lag at all. (This is a VPS @ Leaseweb I'm on about here)[/QUOTE] Damn dude.... How much does that run you monthly?

[QUOTE=SeveredSkull;40150454]You are 100% correct. It doesn't take much, but sending out that movement data, networked variables, and all the other fun stuff is usually what causes lag/latency rather than actual computation unless theres lots of physics goin on.[/QUOTE] Basically, don't spawn a 250 prop base and set off a mad cow's weapons C4. Could end badly. Edit: @ above post: About £40 / month. I don't do the payments, the other server owner does. Edit 2: about £25 a month. I was way off.. LOL

Wow your server speeds are overkill! I have no doubt it's incredibly smooth and lag-free though haha. Thanks guys for answering my questions! Considering I don't have the extra money to spend on a server host right now and that I won't be running many player slots, I think I'll have to stick with my own machine at home. But now that I have a server all set up, is there anything more that is commonly done with servers to prevent attacks, hacking, exploits, etc.?

[QUOTE=Mors Quaedam;40150424]Yeah. My home internet: [IMG]http://puu.sh/2p5h7[/IMG] My server's internet: [IMG]http://puu.sh/2m2Z4[/IMG] Right now I have ~50 players connected over 5 different servers. No lag at all. (This is a VPS @ Leaseweb I'm on about here)[/QUOTE] shame you won't ever need those speeds for gmod servers but whatever

[QUOTE=Mors Quaedam;40150424]Yeah. My home internet: [IMG]http://puu.sh/2p5h7[/IMG] My server's internet: [IMG]http://puu.sh/2m2Z4[/IMG] Right now I have ~50 players connected over 5 different servers. No lag at all. (This is a VPS @ Leaseweb I'm on about here)[/QUOTE] There's a big difference here though. This guy is only hosting one server. Now, provided he has a decent upload speed, he'll be fine running a TTT server from home. I do advise getting another computer if possible and run pfsense on it as a firewall and then have your server go through that then to the modem as added firewall protection. Also, Mors, your speed is shared among hundreds of other VPS's, so of course it's going to be high. It's not like that speed is only for you...

[QUOTE=FrankPetrov;40184284]There's a big difference here though. This guy is only hosting one server. Now, provided he has a decent upload speed, he'll be fine running a TTT server from home. I do advise getting another computer if possible and run pfsense on it as a firewall and then have your server go through that then to the modem as added firewall protection. Also, Mors, your speed is shared among hundreds of other VPS's, so of course it's going to be high. It's not like that speed is only for you...[/QUOTE] [strikethrough].33 Megabits per second is [B][U]NOT[/U][/B] decent.[/strikethrough] Misunderstood. [editline]6th April 2013[/editline] I cant self rate myself Dumb.... What a shame.

[QUOTE=FrankPetrov;40184284]There's a big difference here though. This guy is only hosting one server. Now, provided he has a decent upload speed, he'll be fine running a TTT server from home. I do advise getting another computer if possible and run pfsense on it as a firewall and then have your server go through that then to the modem as added firewall protection. Also, Mors, your speed is shared among hundreds of other VPS's, so of course it's going to be high. It's not like that speed is only for you...[/QUOTE] Fair point, but still. It's still a huge-ass speed for anyone.