Hey guys, I’m new to self-hosting; I’m trying to set up cloud storage to store pics and other content. However, I’m unsure whether to use my old computer, Buy NAS or ResberryPie to set up a home server.
Also, what is the best privacy-friendly OS to use with the home server?
Whatever you do, make sure you setup firewall properly and enable automatic updates for your software. People say this last part is bad advice, but I’d rather have software break from an update than get ransomware’d.
For a small pocket and low power consumption but incredible performance I would recommend the Odroid M1. Add a cheap nvme drive for the os (I prefer debian) and a 2,5" hdd. On top of debian you can install OMV for a webui based linux home server control.
DietPi is nice for beginners too.
And like other ppl already said, you can use docker/podman for running your software.
Oh and don’t forget the 3-2-1 backup rule. 3 Backups, 2 different media types (ssd, hdd, usb stick, cloud, …) and 1 offsite backup (cloud or hdd at your friend’s house).
Since you’re new, I’d recommend just using the old PC to start and get comfortable. Once you’re sure you want to invest some money, you can either build it buy yourself something more energy efficient if you’re super concerned about that.
As for the best OS, just any server OS will do. I run Rocky Linux which is a RHEL derivative, but you can also try TrueNas or anything else you want. Even Windows Server would work if you wanted to go that path.
There are many paths you can take, and which you go down depends heavily on personal preference and the desired use of your system.
If you want something that works without you fretting with the base system too much, and gives you a decent GUI to handle the base: Proxmox. Run VMs, run containers on said VMs, and experiment as much as you would like.
I will personally not be doing this (I plan to run Alpine as my base instead of Debian, even though I hold the latter in very high regard), automate provisioning with Ansible, and exclusively use Podman instead of Docker. I’m willing to go through the pains of not using Docker directly, but at least I’m not learning how to run everything on k8s (which is not a bad idea at all, but for most homelabs without HA, it’s overkill).
Learn networking, learn container orchestration, learn GNU/Linux (or in my case, non-GNU/Linux - yes you plebs, musl is good) security, auth basics, UNIX permissions, general automation, and give yourself time.
Also, do not become the family system-admin without having a fair bit of experience doing this already. You don’t want the homelab becoming a job, which means getting to fix it at your own schedule, not when Jellyfin is broken and Wifey is bearing down on you because you cancelled Netflix in favour of your Linux ISO-powered library.
I started with an old computer, then I moved to Raspberry Pi’s and now in about to get rid of the last Pi since I’m replacing everting with small Lenovo or Intel PCs.
i found their site and in confused by this part of their intro page:
“That was how the idea started to grow in my head. After that, I began to find existing solutions in the self-hosting space with similar backup functionality and the performance level of the App-Which-Must-Not-Be-Named. I found that the current solutions mainly focus on the gallery-type application. However, I want a simple-to-use backup tool with a native mobile app that can view photos and videos efficiently.”
what is the main thing that separates immich from other “gallery-type applications”? wouldnt all comparable apps have some kind of gallery?
What are you comparing it with? Something like photoprism?
If so, then photo prism does not allow you to have multiple users. (Atleast it wasn’t there when I used it last time)
If you compare it with Lychee, then Lychee does not have facial recognition.
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Whatever you do, make sure you setup firewall properly and enable automatic updates for your software. People say this last part is bad advice, but I’d rather have software break from an update than get ransomware’d.
Yunohost is beginner friendly
https://yunohost.org/
For a small pocket and low power consumption but incredible performance I would recommend the Odroid M1. Add a cheap nvme drive for the os (I prefer debian) and a 2,5" hdd. On top of debian you can install OMV for a webui based linux home server control. DietPi is nice for beginners too. And like other ppl already said, you can use docker/podman for running your software.
Oh and don’t forget the 3-2-1 backup rule. 3 Backups, 2 different media types (ssd, hdd, usb stick, cloud, …) and 1 offsite backup (cloud or hdd at your friend’s house).
Thank you for the info. I wasn’t aware of the 3-2-1 backup rule until now.
Those are my old PC specs:
GPU: GeForce GT 240 DDR3 1GB CPU: unknown Motherboard: Lenovo is6xm PSU: Dell L240AS-00 240W RAM: 2x 2GB Storage: 1TB HDD and 128GB SSD
I want to build a low power consumption yet power enough server to run any apps, etc. What upgrades would be the best for my use case?
Since you’re new, I’d recommend just using the old PC to start and get comfortable. Once you’re sure you want to invest some money, you can either build it buy yourself something more energy efficient if you’re super concerned about that.
As for the best OS, just any server OS will do. I run Rocky Linux which is a RHEL derivative, but you can also try TrueNas or anything else you want. Even Windows Server would work if you wanted to go that path.
There are many paths you can take, and which you go down depends heavily on personal preference and the desired use of your system.
If you want something that works without you fretting with the base system too much, and gives you a decent GUI to handle the base: Proxmox. Run VMs, run containers on said VMs, and experiment as much as you would like.
I will personally not be doing this (I plan to run Alpine as my base instead of Debian, even though I hold the latter in very high regard), automate provisioning with Ansible, and exclusively use Podman instead of Docker. I’m willing to go through the pains of not using Docker directly, but at least I’m not learning how to run everything on k8s (which is not a bad idea at all, but for most homelabs without HA, it’s overkill).
Learn networking, learn container orchestration, learn GNU/Linux (or in my case, non-GNU/Linux - yes you plebs, musl is good) security, auth basics, UNIX permissions, general automation, and give yourself time.
Also, do not become the family system-admin without having a fair bit of experience doing this already. You don’t want the homelab becoming a job, which means getting to fix it at your own schedule, not when Jellyfin is broken and Wifey is bearing down on you because you cancelled Netflix in favour of your Linux ISO-powered library.
Micro PC, install Linux. External nas. Or mini-pc with builtin nas.
Nextcloud is a good platform for hosting self cloud stuff. You might want a fixed ip, or other method to route if wanting to use out of home.
I started with an old computer, then I moved to Raspberry Pi’s and now in about to get rid of the last Pi since I’m replacing everting with small Lenovo or Intel PCs.
Any cheap PC is going to be way better than raspberry Pi.
Also, may I suggest you to checkout Immich? I am in love with the project and have been using it as Google photos replacement.
Welcome to selfhosting!
i found their site and in confused by this part of their intro page:
“That was how the idea started to grow in my head. After that, I began to find existing solutions in the self-hosting space with similar backup functionality and the performance level of the App-Which-Must-Not-Be-Named. I found that the current solutions mainly focus on the gallery-type application. However, I want a simple-to-use backup tool with a native mobile app that can view photos and videos efficiently.”
what is the main thing that separates immich from other “gallery-type applications”? wouldnt all comparable apps have some kind of gallery?
What are you comparing it with? Something like photoprism? If so, then photo prism does not allow you to have multiple users. (Atleast it wasn’t there when I used it last time)
If you compare it with Lychee, then Lychee does not have facial recognition.
Don’t use Raspberry pi.
A cheap old laptop will work a lot better.
I think Raspberry pi is only good if you need gpio, otherwise save money and use an old laptop.