2016 Macbook Pro as a server?

I have only one external monitor but I figured out how to test with both computers. I think this will work. I've long used my MBP with an external monitor and the lid down. The issue is 24/7 availability for other computers. It took a while to figure out how to test everything with the Mini and Pro sharing a monitor and only one wired keyboard.

I was testing with my iPad Pro / Files app and that will not work with the lid down. However, my wife's MBA does connect after the MBP's screen goes to sleep with the Energy app in Preferences and the MBP rigged up for the lid down.

This would be good enough. Thanks for getting me to rig it up differently!

Now the problem of no MBP with Apple Silicon yet :-)

I finally got my setup rigged right to test this. I've long used my MBP on an external monitor with the lid down but I wasn't having luck connecting other computers, but that was due to having to share the monitor with the Mac Mini. I figured out how to do that better but BobTheFisherman pushed me a bit to get creative.

Thank you for your massive help on this forum over a LOT of years! Your name has come up frequently with solutions.

I just tested that with wireless and wired keyboards and it didn't work. The MBP disconnected from the network in a few minutes. That would have been a perfect solution. Thanks for the suggestion!