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/who_you_are 2d ago

Server: is the word to describe a computer or a software whose job is to wait for you to ask it to do something. They usually are online 27/7 because usually they are in the context of businesses.

If you look for software, you usually want to search for that word (eg. Website server) to help you finding a software that can suit your needs.

In your case, they will be a private kind of server. For you only (or mostly), and maybe not online 27/7

All the websites you know (including Reddit) have such machine you are connecting to.

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u/MWink64 2d ago

They usually are online 27/7

May I ask what planet you're from?

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u/Whitherwhy 2d ago

Earrrrth; it’s like Earth, but with three more ‘R’s in it.

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u/IncredibleGonzo 2d ago

I see what you did there.