I wonder if the emulators around are stable enough to launch a private server ? If yes which files I have to use ? What dedicated specs I would need to host 500-1000 players ?
that is a little, uhh.. not even a answer for this fella. why comment?
long to short, unless you have major experience in the emu software and some good experience in java / C++ C# . it's highly unlikely you can manage a 500-1000 person server. unless you had some good help!