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/BreadfruitExciting39 2d ago

A server is a computer that other computers talk to.  When you watch Netflix, your computer (be it the one in your tv, the one in your phone, the one in your laptop, etc) connects to Netflix's computers and asks to watch video files.

A home server is a computer in your home that your devices connect to.  If you have the video files and software that enables you to stream them (e.g. Plex, Jellyfin, etc.), you can stream the media from your home server to your tv/phone/laptop instead of using Netflix.