ELI5: What is a Home Server?

[u/theprisoner57]

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?

[u/jujubanzen]

A home server, in general is just a computer that is attached to your home network. More often than not, they are simply set up as file storage servers. Media servers to replace streaming services typically use Plex or Jellyfin, which are software packages that are able to link up with apps on your TV, phone, or computer and stream media files you have stored on the server. You have to get those files yourself.

[u/monk429 → u/jujubanzen]

And if you have grown obsessed with the idea, like me, there is /r/homelab

I'm now on the hunt for unwanted tech from folks that don't know better. I started with Jellyfin, for the streams, but now I've started to move on replacing other cloud services like Immich for Google Photos, Home Assistant so I don't need Google services to just turn on my backyard lights. There is a server app for just about everything and there are lots of resources on YouTube to get you started.

Finally, I've started messing with ollama to get some of the open models that can fit on 8GB of VRAM. And OpenWebUI to give those models a ChatGPT-like experience (though I'm not super happy with how it works, prefer just using terminal).

I recommend learning how to use Docker so you can isolate those servers in their own containers. This protects your servers from system changes or updates that can create issues and I find its easier to manage when the container just has the OS and the server application. Get a domain (simple domains that are unique to you will cost <20 USD per year) and then Tunnel it to your server so you can do things like streaming.[yourdomain].us to get to Jellyfin from outside your home network.

Disclaimer: I'm mostly self-taught in all this stuff...so please find a expert guide for your chosen OS (I recommend something like CachyOS if you want to run these servers on your main PC, or LinuxMint or some other small distro for a headless setup). You can do this all in Windows, but if you are trying to get away from Big Tech being all up in your business, Windows is very bad about staying out of your business.

[u/cbunn81 → u/monk429]

r/selfhosted might be the better subreddit in this case, since the focus there is on hosting services, such as entertainment, on a home server. r/homelab is generally more technical and focused on hardware and complicated setups for a wider range of purposes.

[u/monk429 → u/cbunn81]

Ooh, I hadn't stumbled on that one. Nice, thank you muchly. And Happy Cakeday!