not something I want to do just yet but at some point I might need a server

Im looking to write a little program that I want to leave running during the day while Im at work. I use VPN, remote desktop etc.. at my desk anyway to dial into systems at various banks etc.. and I was thinking I could quite easily  access my own computer at home if I needed to.

drawback of doing so would be that Id need to ensure it gets left on & need to ensure house mates dont disconnect the internet connection etc..

the other option I guess (I dont know too much about this area tbh..) would be to have my little program hosted on a server somewhere and simply connect to that at lunchtime/during breaks etc.. to check on the progress of my program.

I take it Id probably only need the most basic of server hosting packages but was just wondering how much this sort of thing would cost and how reliable these hosting companies were - say if there is a problem how long before the server is back up and running? minutes or hours?

Id go the vpn route and wire the box & router connection so that no one can turn it off or disco it.

So long as you have a static IP and know the PC isnt going to be turned of, then go VPN route.  A lot easier.

Can you send WOL packets over the net? Never dabbled with it before but may be possible.

So that if joe bloggs turns your computer off, you can just send a WOL packet and itll turn back on

Yep you can WOL over the net... but the router may have to be setup for this. You can do it on the Linksys WRT54GS (Running DD-WRT) probably setup on other routers....

Online WOL..
http://stephan.mestrona.net/wol/

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/WOL

As for having a static IP, you could always use a dynamic IP DNS service.

I use no-ip.com for mine and its free, although you get more features with the paid one and it doesnt expire. And quite a lot of routers support no-ip for automatic IP updates, otherwise you can use software on a PC to update.

nice one - cheers for the replies guys - much obliged