Setting up a shared server on an old computer

[Prydonian]

Hi, all.  Sorry if this has been talked about a hundred times - I searched, but didn't turn it up. 

Instead of renting a third party server, I'd like to set up a server on an old machine I've got lying around, then move the multiplayer game I've been playing with a friend to it so that either of us can join whenever we want.  I've looked over the info on how to set up a dedicated server, most of which I can kinda follow, but is there anything else I need to know in order to do what I'm planning? 

Thanks!

[Beelzybub]

10 hours ago, Prydonian said:

I've looked over the info on how to set up a dedicated server,

A couple things I think get regularly overlooked are:

1: Change the name of the serverconfig.xml file so it doesn't get overwritten by an update or verify.

2: Backup the save folder daily.

3: Ports that need forwarding are the base port plus 3, ie., If your base port is 26900, you need 26900 TCP and 26900 through 26903 UDP forwarded in your router.

4: Use the <property name="UserDataFolder"                value="absolute path" /> in the serverconfig.xml to set a custom path for your save data.

[Prydonian]

Thanks!  I understand most of those words, if not the specific order they're arranged in.  It's a little outside my skill set, but I'll look into it!