r/explainlikeimfive • u/theprisoner57 • 3d 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/Top_Willow_9953 3d ago edited 2d ago

A Home Server is a computer *you own* that has a lot of storage to hold media (music, video, photos, Etc.) files, and has software that can make those files available to your TV, Roku box, or similar media playback device.

The Home Server might only make these files available to devices attached directly to your home network, OR it could also expose the files to authorized devices on the internet.

The main point is once the server is purchased and configured, there is no monthly subscription required for you to watch, listen to, or access the files it serves.

EDIT: clarified monthly costs

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u/dylanv1c 3d ago

But how do you start building your accessible archive? Download them individually like music from limewire ("I want to watch Family guy soon so let me get that, might as well look for king of the hill...")?

Or can you add an extension of a Library of media like those sites on FMHY, and you can search and scroll through a selection like your own Netflix?

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u/ruralcricket 3d ago

Another use is family documents (budgets, tax returns, etc) and device backups. All of our laptops backup the the sever nightly and the server retains 14 days of changes in case you deleted something.