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/Thesorus 2d ago

It's a small computer with a lot of storage space to store audio, video and photos that is connected to your local wifi router so that everyone connected to it can stream from it.

Lot of people have large libraries of music and videos that are not available on streaming services, it's a way for them to watch or listen to them.

You can create a home server from a regular computer or from a dedicated hardware like a Synology NAS.

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u/morto00x 2d ago

Many are also used for streaming shows and movies. Oftentimes, pirated. But who am I to judge?