Basic NAS q on web server features

[JULE5]

Hi

What is the general consensus on web server features of NAS devices? Worth bothering with for simple web sites? Can i reasonably expect to be able to run a small phpbb forum off one for example?

What are the worries in terms of security, do NAS boxes generally handle the firewall side of things themselves?

And one last q, is a static ip address from my isp a necessity?

Be gentle with me, I'm a novice with these things!

Thanks

Julian

[peterfu]

Hi Jules,
would help if You would tell us for which NAS You want to know all this, but for the N5200.
- PHP can be used
- on a NAS in general there is no firewall /(so no firewall on N5200) so if You connect it directly to the internet place a firewall before
- You can also have a dynamic IP, but then You should use a dervice like dyndns
br
Peter

[JULE5]

Thanks Peter

Yes, a typical noob slip, a general question posted in a specific forum.

But you answered my q's so thanks. Jules

[peterfu]

Hi Jules,
if Your main task is to run a small webserver, then I would go for an extra box and not use a NAS - webservers on NAS boxes usually have more or less limitations, cause the main task is to provide disk space to LAN users. If Your main task is to have a lot of network disk space in Your LAN and want to have a limited WEB Serbver, then a NAS box with a build in - or in case of the N5200 add on - webserver might be also an option.

The All Singing all dancing device is not realy existing out of the box - at least in my opinion.
br
Peter

[JULE5]

Thanks Peter
To be honest, I'm at the dabbling stage so a web server function is not the primary objective. I'm trying to plan ahead but it's difficult to think what I might use a NAS for beyond storage, when there are so many options!
Jules