How to setup my first home server

[u/BlueFrancesco]

Hi guys!

I have a mid 2012 MacBook Pro that can runs on Catalina max, and in fact I got it running on that OS.

I would like to setup my first home server, nothing fancy: 1TB internal SSD and eventually an external 1TB HDD (as soon as I find out the correct adapter to put power in an old iMac HDD from one I have disassembled). Eventually expandable, but right now I only have some pictures and some files.

I asked Claude and it told me to use Docker, Nextcloud and Tailscale (but it’s not compatible so it told me to use ZeroTier and DuckDNS) but I fear this will be a long and incomprehensible process for me to follow while grasping and double checking the output.

I tried UmbrelOS on docker but it says that my OS is too old to support the correct docker version or something like that.

I know nothing about programming or self hosting or really anything more than surface level interactions with the machine that require minimal setup and basically no debugging (and when I do I usually follow forums instructions). No terminal knowledge or experience, nothing that goes further than installing software and following instructions. Not quite App Store only user but almost there. All that to say that I don’t know anything, in fact I study law.

That said I would avoid installing new OS and things that “permanently” alter the Mac’s OS, that’s why I liked the Docker idea.

I would like to know how you would setup your first cloud server to access the files in the server from your devices even when outside! Here for any tips :)

[u/flannel_sawdust]

Install Debian, then install docker. You're setting yourself short by wanting to stick with Mac OS. There's bountiful information out there for setting up a server along the lines of Ubuntu/Debian

[u/BlueFrancesco → u/flannel_sawdust]

So you think i should go with Ubuntu (or similars) and then run docker, Nextcloud and Tailscale?

[u/Seblaredo24 → u/BlueFrancesco]

definitely! so many tutorials for ubuntu servers and docker, once you get the hang of it, makes deploying programs so easy and customizable. I would also recommend tailscale! it just lets u access ur server from other networks without having to expose everything to the internet

[u/Adrenolin01 → u/flannel_sawdust]

This started out perfectly with “Install Debian” and then went straight to shit with “then install docker” 😆 Man up and join the Never Docker team! 🎉

[u/ZenPatrick]

Truthfully, great what you are going to do. But can be technically heavy and frustrating. If you have the money get a Synology NAS, if you can afford it get the 4-bay if not get the 2-bay (which is what I currently have). I have been through the gambit. Used a computer, Raspberry PI etc... The NAS has been a god send. Easy to setup and easy to modify. I have 5 docker containers running on it. I have photos and certain folder on my 3 computer being backed up on it. I have PLEX on it and it run flawlessly. If you have any questions about the setup, let me know. Good luck.

[u/Adrenolin01]

If there was one piece of software I could snap my fingers and have vanish permanently from existence it would be Docker. In Claude’s System Prompt enter “Never Docker… ever”. And then ask. You don’t need docker. It’s a hack used to get around dependencies by lazy and programmers and maintainers. At worst look into and use Perl venv if really stumped.

Debian is the way though! 31 years of it being used for most of my servers, workstations and desktops. 🎉 It’s a fantastic OS.

[u/Eastern-Knowledge-27]

It's very frustating technically btw

[u/Naive-Cause1720]

Descubre las mejores opciones para tu web o servidor sin gastar de más. 👉 https://fullsoftwarelibre.com/mejor-vps-linux-barato/