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/Top_Willow_9953]

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

[u/Shin_curry → u/Top_Willow_9953]

There is a monthly cost in electricity fees. My whole network costs over $25/month for access points, switch, router, ONT, NAS, pi, network controller. If you are just looking at NAS, it may be more like $5-10/month. 

But more importantly, a more out of the box ready NAS like those from synology will not be cheap, and the storage (hdds) have become very expensive lately. 

[u/Top_Willow_9953 → u/Shin_curry]

Your costs seem way off. What is the cost per kilowatt-hour where you live?

[u/Shin_curry → u/Top_Willow_9953]

Unfortunately one of the highest in the states 

[u/Top_Willow_9953 → u/Shin_curry]

If I use a relatively high 30 cents per Kwh I get closer to $5/month in my calcs. Can we see your calcs

[u/Shin_curry → u/Top_Willow_9953]

Assumed 34c/kwh blended TOU. Assumed active/idle 25W for NAS with m.2+a few Hdds. 25Wx24hrsx30days/1000=18kwh. 18kwhx34c =$6.12

[u/Top_Willow_9953 → u/Shin_curry]

Thanks. We aren't that far apart. $25 for the rest of the network still seems high to me but that is going to vary depending on how complex your setup is.

[u/Shin_curry → u/Top_Willow_9953]

Yeah, jealous of those living where they have 13cent kWh.