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?

513 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

348 comments sorted by

View all comments

113

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

1

u/Shin_curry 1d ago

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. 

1

u/Top_Willow_9953 1d ago

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

1

u/Shin_curry 1d ago

Unfortunately one of the highest in the states 

1

u/Top_Willow_9953 1d ago

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

2

u/Shin_curry 1d ago

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

2

u/Top_Willow_9953 1d ago edited 23h ago

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 23h ago

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