Use g4 as server

Question

hello ,is it possible to use my old g4 as a server,or do i realy need osx server(hope not),so my brother can use the storage aswell (he is in a different city)
i've already checked the ftp,afp end the smb and i also opened a port in my router
gave him an account and a username and password
some info on the g4
g4 mirror door
1,25 ghz cpu
2 gb of ram
250 gb hd
160 gb hd
80 gb hd
60 gb hd
dvd (disconnected)
osx 10.5.8 runs like a dream
thank you for you're suggestions

Answer 1

With the firewalls off, and the dynamic IP addresses sorted out, it must just be down to port forwarding on the router.
You CAN do this, I used to do it when I worked abroad (connecting back to my iMac G3 at home), and I've helped other Mac users set this up to allow FTP access to their home Macs.
So first, which router do you use ? This would help us get the manual and give a step-by-step guide.
Meanwhile, Port Forwarding needs to be set up on the router, to pick up network traffic coming in from the internet on a particular port or set of ports, and end it to a particular Mac (the PowerMac G4). When your brother attempts to connect to your PMG4, all he can specify is your Internet IP address, and that is being used by your Mac, your PowerMac G4, your router, and any other devices connected to your broadband router. So Port Forwarding will tell the router (which gets all the traffic by default) which device to send it on to.
For the Apple Filing Protocol (how Macs like to connect to other Macs for File Sharing) port 548 would need to be forwarded.
For my Netgear router, port forwarding is called "Firewall Rules" and "Services".
So I'd set up a service called "AFP" or "Apple Filing" (or whatever you like) to mean port 548 on TCP/IP.
And then set up a Firewall Rule, using service "AFP" (or whatever you called it), sending it to LAN IP address 192.168.0.2 (or whatever the IP address of your PMG4 is). I've also got options on mine, so I set "Allow ALWAYS", and "Allow ANY WAN Users".
I'd also have to make sure that any switch / checkbox to Enable this rule was checked - my router allows me to set up rules (port forwarding) but not have individual rules enabled.
I'd also have to make sure that my PowerMac G4 was up and running and had File Sharing enabled.
Yur router may log any accesses originating from the web (my 6yo router does), so you could talk your brother through it, picking up on the routers log if he's getting in and where it's getting stuck.
You're so close already, don't give up.