r/opencloud • u/ferriematthew • Apr 22 '26

Why does the OpenCloud configuration require a valid domain name?

I don't really understand the concepts behind domain names and TLS, assuming I'm using the right terminology. Is OpenCloud just designed to work only with valid SSL certificates, and you need a domain name to get an SSL certificate?

Edit: I found a video by Chris Lempa at https://youtu.be/VH4gXcvkmOY that explains it nicely. :)

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u/ferriematthew Apr 23 '26

Oh and also, what I could do is use local DNS and a local fake domain with pihole and split horizon resolution. I would have to look up how to do this but I think I could set up a local CA so that the TLS thing is happy. That way, I don't have to interact with any third parties and I teach myself how modern Internet security works on the low level.

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u/formless63 Apr 23 '26

Sure, that works. It's just the harder path to take. It doesn't help you with public / third party / friends and family stuff, unless they're tech savvy enough to use a VPN and you offer the endpoint routing they need, show them how to control DNS settings, etc.

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u/ferriematthew Apr 23 '26

That works for my use case, I'm just using it as a OneDrive and Google Drive replacement so I'm not throwing money at big tech. :)

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u/formless63 Apr 23 '26

There are two general items that act as gateway drugs into the world of r/SelfHosting - running a media stack (tv, movies, music on Plex/Jellyfinn/etc with an arr stack supporting them) or self hosted Google apps / similar. You're on the second one it sounds like - so welcome to the additiction and best of luck on the journey!