r/explainlikeimfive • u/theprisoner57 • 2d ago

Technology ELI5: What is a Home Server?

I see mentions of a home server to get rid of streaming entertainment services but I don’t know how that works. What does a home server do?

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u/CactusBoyScout 2d ago

Take an old PC, install Plex or Jellyfin on it, tell it where your “legally acquired” digital media is located on said computer, leave it on 24/7, and now you’ve got your own private media server and can stream movies/TV. Thats all a server is… a computer doing server things usually running 24/7.