I recently set up my self-hosted system and went down this path:
Ubuntu Server - decided against it because terminal only is tedious sometimes
Ubuntu Desktop - easy, popular (so more documentation), comes ready with Docker
Decided to use Yacht for my container manager and have been happy with it so far, super simple compared to other options out there but you still have the control you need
I definitely want to add to this list. I want to get some stuff behind a VPN and sail the open seas to fill out my plex server, I just want to make sure I am being as safe as possible.
Start off with Yunohost. It is simple to get started and works pretty well. Try different apps to see what you like and what might be worth using for real. Just make sure that you keep in mind this is more of a “proof of concept” for testing things. Unless you plan to purchase another mini pc later.
When you feel like you have out grown it and want to start learning more about things, you can move to something like Proxmox. This allows you to create virtual machines and play with containers (docker/lxc). If you plan well, you can back up your Yunohost data and configs to another drive, wipe Yunohost install and replace it with Proxmox. Then install a VM running Yunohost and restore your data and configs you previously backed up.
Then you can start playing with lxc containers and docker containers.
If you can get a second machine with multiple drives, install TrueNAS or OMV. Use that to store all of your data on NFS drive that you mount from your Proxmox VMs and containers.
Years ago I used to run a linux server with everything installed under Apache virtual directories and fought the constant upgrade cycle. Life got in the way and I gave up on it until the pandemic slowed life down enough for me to start playing again. So I went the Yunhost route on an old Mac Mini. I now have a 3 node Proxmox cluster with Yunhost in a VM (with a dozen apps running on it) and another 15-20 containers running under either lxc or docker. I eventually purchased a cheap NAS device for data storage so that I could make use of the Proxmox fail over capabilities.
If your mini pc has the capability for two drives, install the OS on one and store data on the other (unless/until you get a second pc/NAS).
I wouldn’t do Windows, Linux will give you freedom to use docker for most things that you might want to host. As for which distro use whatever you find nice, there’s not going to be much difference. Some of the things people are suggesting are great for extremely advanced use cases, for just spinning up some services whatever you feel more comfortable would be best.
Proxmox with a bunch of small dedicated lxc containers (running small Ubuntu lxcs mostly). It works for me anyway, though I don’t use any of the rr programs. My Plex lxc gets its Media files from an openmediavault NFS mount (Running in a VM instead of lxc), and I use smb file sharing for my windows desktop to access the same files. Your mileage may vary, what works for me night not be for someone else.
I’d recommend Debian Linux. It’s free, stable, has all the software you’ll need with long term support, ton of online resources and communities to learn from. You can start with or without UI.
Sounds like you’re just starting out. If you’re not yet familiar with Linux there’s a lot guides out there to set this up & it won’t take take long. It’s when things go wrong it can be frustrating as it possible there won’t be a guide for your specific issue & it can be time consuming to figure it out.
You could start just using windows if that pc came with it. It’ll enable you fast track the fun of building & populating the media server.
Over time you’ll discover the limitations of windows, start researching the alternatives & have plenty of time to pick something else while enjoying what you’ve already setup.
My vote is also on Proxmox. I also started out with a mini PC about 6 months ago and installed proxmox. It has a few quirks regarding its disk usage you have to get used to, but its UI and setting up of VMs and LXC containers is so simple, you do not need any manual. You can easily build and tear down linux machines and play around with them. You cannot run docker images directly, but I use an LXC ubuntu container to run them, works flawlessly.
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I highly recommend Ubuntu Desktop for homelab stuff.
I recently set up my self-hosted system and went down this path:
Ubuntu Server - decided against it because terminal only is tedious sometimes
Ubuntu Desktop - easy, popular (so more documentation), comes ready with Docker
Decided to use Yacht for my container manager and have been happy with it so far, super simple compared to other options out there but you still have the control you need
current containers:
I definitely want to add to this list. I want to get some stuff behind a VPN and sail the open seas to fill out my plex server, I just want to make sure I am being as safe as possible.
Thanks for the input! How did you get started with Yacht? I looked into it a bit and am not 100% sure on how it helps with the homelab setup.
My useless advice: Do it in phases as you learn.
Years ago I used to run a linux server with everything installed under Apache virtual directories and fought the constant upgrade cycle. Life got in the way and I gave up on it until the pandemic slowed life down enough for me to start playing again. So I went the Yunhost route on an old Mac Mini. I now have a 3 node Proxmox cluster with Yunhost in a VM (with a dozen apps running on it) and another 15-20 containers running under either lxc or docker. I eventually purchased a cheap NAS device for data storage so that I could make use of the Proxmox fail over capabilities.
If your mini pc has the capability for two drives, install the OS on one and store data on the other (unless/until you get a second pc/NAS).
I wouldn’t do Windows, Linux will give you freedom to use docker for most things that you might want to host. As for which distro use whatever you find nice, there’s not going to be much difference. Some of the things people are suggesting are great for extremely advanced use cases, for just spinning up some services whatever you feel more comfortable would be best.
Proxmox with a bunch of small dedicated lxc containers (running small Ubuntu lxcs mostly). It works for me anyway, though I don’t use any of the rr programs. My Plex lxc gets its Media files from an openmediavault NFS mount (Running in a VM instead of lxc), and I use smb file sharing for my windows desktop to access the same files. Your mileage may vary, what works for me night not be for someone else.
I’d recommend Debian Linux. It’s free, stable, has all the software you’ll need with long term support, ton of online resources and communities to learn from. You can start with or without UI.
Sounds like you’re just starting out. If you’re not yet familiar with Linux there’s a lot guides out there to set this up & it won’t take take long. It’s when things go wrong it can be frustrating as it possible there won’t be a guide for your specific issue & it can be time consuming to figure it out.
You could start just using windows if that pc came with it. It’ll enable you fast track the fun of building & populating the media server.
Over time you’ll discover the limitations of windows, start researching the alternatives & have plenty of time to pick something else while enjoying what you’ve already setup.
My vote is also on Proxmox. I also started out with a mini PC about 6 months ago and installed proxmox. It has a few quirks regarding its disk usage you have to get used to, but its UI and setting up of VMs and LXC containers is so simple, you do not need any manual. You can easily build and tear down linux machines and play around with them. You cannot run docker images directly, but I use an LXC ubuntu container to run them, works flawlessly.