5 reasons EVERYONE needs a home server

Why the hell does anybody need a home Why the hell does anybody need a home server? Question I get asked way more server? Question I get asked way more server? Question I get asked way more than you might think. And in this video than you might think. And in this video than you might think. And in this video we are going to explore that whether if we are going to explore that whether if we are going to explore that whether if you're somebody who is just now looking you're somebody who is just now looking you're somebody who is just now looking into this or you're an IT professional. into this or you're an IT professional. into this or you're an IT professional. There is reasons for everybody to run a There is reasons for everybody to run a There is reasons for everybody to run a server at home. Whether that be simply server at home. Whether that be simply server at home. Whether that be simply having fun all the way to breaking the having fun all the way to breaking the having fun all the way to breaking the chains of corporate services that chains of corporate services that chains of corporate services that harvest your data. And no, I'm not harvest your data. And no, I'm not harvest your data. And no, I'm not saying everybody needs a full-fledged saying everybody needs a full-fledged saying everybody needs a full-fledged rack mount system with servers, rack mount system with servers, rack mount system with servers, switches, and other IoT devices. This switches, and other IoT devices. This switches, and other IoT devices. This can be as simple as like a two-bay NAS, can be as simple as like a two-bay NAS, can be as simple as like a two-bay NAS, a Raspberry Pi, or even a small budget a Raspberry Pi, or even a small budget a Raspberry Pi, or even a small budget mini PC. My very first home server was mini PC. My very first home server was mini PC. My very first home server was just a little small Intel Celeron PC just a little small Intel Celeron PC just a little small Intel Celeron PC running Jellyfin on it and that's it. running Jellyfin on it and that's it. running Jellyfin on it and that's it. Number one, local file backups and Number one, local file backups and Number one, local file backups and shares. Now, before we get into this, to shares. Now, before we get into this, to shares. Now, before we get into this, to be clear, I'm not saying you necessarily be clear, I'm not saying you necessarily be clear, I'm not saying you necessarily need to completely ditch cloud services. need to completely ditch cloud services. need to completely ditch cloud services. Personally, I'm still using Google Drive Personally, I'm still using Google Drive Personally, I'm still using Google Drive as a backup platform. I have a business as a backup platform. I have a business as a backup platform. I have a business account connected to my Gmail. I have 2 account connected to my Gmail. I have 2 account connected to my Gmail. I have 2 TB of their Drive data storage. And I TB of their Drive data storage. And I TB of their Drive data storage. And I use it for backing up business use it for backing up business use it for backing up business documents, video production projects, documents, video production projects, documents, video production projects, sharing them with various people, and as sharing them with various people, and as sharing them with various people, and as a backup mechanism for my personal a backup mechanism for my personal a backup mechanism for my personal photos within that business account.

photos within that business account. photos within that business account. But, solely relying on these cloud But, solely relying on these cloud But, solely relying on these cloud services does come at a risk. And that services does come at a risk. And that services does come at a risk. And that risk is completely trusting whatever risk is completely trusting whatever risk is completely trusting whatever company it is with all of your data. company it is with all of your data. company it is with all of your data. Something that could affect your data Something that could affect your data Something that could affect your data could be something as simple as a policy could be something as simple as a policy could be something as simple as a policy change. Maybe there's a file in your change. Maybe there's a file in your change. Maybe there's a file in your drive that Google notices that they're drive that Google notices that they're drive that Google notices that they're not not too fond of. And that did not not too fond of. And that did not not too fond of. And that did actually happen to me one time with a actually happen to me one time with a actually happen to me one time with a phone flashing tool. And all of that can phone flashing tool. And all of that can phone flashing tool. And all of that can result in loss of critical data. And result in loss of critical data. And result in loss of critical data. And that's why I have everything in that's why I have everything in that's why I have everything in something like this, a NAS, a network something like this, a NAS, a network something like this, a NAS, a network attached storage device. And I use Drive attached storage device. And I use Drive attached storage device. And I use Drive as a simple offsite backup solution for as a simple offsite backup solution for as a simple offsite backup solution for the really important stuff. Having both the really important stuff. Having both the really important stuff. Having both that local and cloud option gives me that local and cloud option gives me that local and cloud option gives me peace of mind whether if one of them peace of mind whether if one of them peace of mind whether if one of them goes out, I still have access to those goes out, I still have access to those goes out, I still have access to those important files. And then there's the important files. And then there's the important files. And then there's the cost saving aspect of that. You can pay cost saving aspect of that. You can pay cost saving aspect of that. You can pay $10 a month for some cloud service $10 a month for some cloud service $10 a month for some cloud service subscription, or you can pay $80 one subscription, or you can pay $80 one subscription, or you can pay $80 one time for a 4 TB hard drive. And after time for a 4 TB hard drive. And after time for a 4 TB hard drive. And after you get a NAS, you factor in the cost of you get a NAS, you factor in the cost of you get a NAS, you factor in the cost of power, it does pay for itself in about a power, it does pay for itself in about a power, it does pay for itself in about a couple years. And then there's just the couple years. And then there's just the couple years. And then there's just the annoyance of for some reason you're not annoyance of for some reason you're not annoyance of for some reason you're not able to access the internet. And then if able to access the internet. And then if able to access the internet. And then if you have a local copy of everything, you have a local copy of everything, you have a local copy of everything, that just doesn't matter anymore.

that just doesn't matter anymore. that just doesn't matter anymore. Additionally, with something like this, Additionally, with something like this, Additionally, with something like this, it gives you the option to have a it gives you the option to have a it gives you the option to have a variety of network shares. And that variety of network shares. And that variety of network shares. And that makes it really nice to access the same makes it really nice to access the same makes it really nice to access the same kind of file structure on a variety of kind of file structure on a variety of kind of file structure on a variety of different devices. For example, I have a different devices. For example, I have a different devices. For example, I have a MacBook Air and it has 256 GB of MacBook Air and it has 256 GB of MacBook Air and it has 256 GB of storage. And as we all know, the cost storage. And as we all know, the cost storage. And as we all know, the cost for upgrading storage or RAM on Mac for upgrading storage or RAM on Mac for upgrading storage or RAM on Mac devices is incredibly expensive. And for devices is incredibly expensive. And for devices is incredibly expensive. And for me personally, the smaller storage size me personally, the smaller storage size me personally, the smaller storage size on the devices is really no big deal at on the devices is really no big deal at on the devices is really no big deal at all. As when I'm working with video all. As when I'm working with video all. As when I'm working with video production projects or I'm downloading production projects or I'm downloading production projects or I'm downloading anything that's really over like a anything that's really over like a anything that's really over like a gigabyte, I don't store any of the files gigabyte, I don't store any of the files gigabyte, I don't store any of the files on that specific device locally. on that specific device locally. on that specific device locally. Instead, I just set a project directory Instead, I just set a project directory Instead, I just set a project directory inside of a network share or I set my inside of a network share or I set my inside of a network share or I set my download directory into a network share. download directory into a network share. download directory into a network share. And with my Wi-Fi speeds, or better yet, And with my Wi-Fi speeds, or better yet, And with my Wi-Fi speeds, or better yet, if I happen to be working on a device if I happen to be working on a device if I happen to be working on a device that has a direct internet connection, I that has a direct internet connection, I that has a direct internet connection, I don't notice a performance difference at don't notice a performance difference at don't notice a performance difference at all as opposed to if the file was all as opposed to if the file was all as opposed to if the file was actually on the device's drive. Number actually on the device's drive. Number actually on the device's drive. Number two, and that is media streaming. And two, and that is media streaming. And two, and that is media streaming. And this is probably what I would consider this is probably what I would consider this is probably what I would consider to be the thing that I use the most. And to be the thing that I use the most. And to be the thing that I use the most. And when I mean media streaming, I'm talking when I mean media streaming, I'm talking when I mean media streaming, I'm talking about self-hosted movies, TV shows, about self-hosted movies, TV shows, about self-hosted movies, TV shows, ebooks, things like that. Now, if you're ebooks, things like that. Now, if you're ebooks, things like that. Now, if you're somebody who would like rarely will somebody who would like rarely will somebody who would like rarely will Chromecast something to a TV Chromecast something to a TV Chromecast something to a TV and personally that's working great for and personally that's working great for and personally that's working great for you, this probably isn't a feature that you, this probably isn't a feature that you, this probably isn't a feature that you're necessarily interested in. But, you're necessarily interested in. But, you're necessarily interested in. But, if you're somebody who wants to have if you're somebody who wants to have if you're somebody who wants to have kind of like your very own Netflix that kind of like your very own Netflix that kind of like your very own Netflix that you can have all your friends and family you can have all your friends and family you can have all your friends and family log in to and access, or just have a log in to and access, or just have a log in to and access, or just have a native application on various platforms

native application on various platforms native application on various platforms around your home to instantly have around your home to instantly have around your home to instantly have access to all of your media, this could access to all of your media, this could access to all of your media, this could be something that is awesome for you. be something that is awesome for you. be something that is awesome for you. There are a variety of applications that There are a variety of applications that There are a variety of applications that will allow you to achieve this. There's will allow you to achieve this. There's will allow you to achieve this. There's Plex, Emby, Jellyfin. Those are kind of Plex, Emby, Jellyfin. Those are kind of Plex, Emby, Jellyfin. Those are kind of the big three. And they all essentially the big three. And they all essentially the big three. And they all essentially do the same thing. And if you want to do the same thing. And if you want to do the same thing. And if you want to kind of run down of some of the kind of run down of some of the kind of run down of some of the differences, I will link to a video down differences, I will link to a video down differences, I will link to a video down below in which I cover that and I talk below in which I cover that and I talk below in which I cover that and I talk about what I'm currently using. But, about what I'm currently using. But, about what I'm currently using. But, they're all great for just organizing they're all great for just organizing they're all great for just organizing your media, streaming them. Most of them your media, streaming them. Most of them your media, streaming them. Most of them have applications everywhere. They they have applications everywhere. They they have applications everywhere. They they all work great. Beyond this, there's all work great. Beyond this, there's all work great. Beyond this, there's tools for specific types of media such tools for specific types of media such tools for specific types of media such as ebook libraries, audiobooks, as ebook libraries, audiobooks, as ebook libraries, audiobooks, podcasts, and a lot more. And in podcasts, and a lot more. And in podcasts, and a lot more. And in addition to these, you can actually use addition to these, you can actually use addition to these, you can actually use some media organizational and some media organizational and some media organizational and acquisition tools that really just takes acquisition tools that really just takes acquisition tools that really just takes everything to the next level. I'm not everything to the next level. I'm not everything to the next level. I'm not really going to talk about that too really going to talk about that too really going to talk about that too much, but I did a video touring all of much, but I did a video touring all of much, but I did a video touring all of my kind of home lab services. You can my kind of home lab services. You can my kind of home lab services. You can check that out or just do some research check that out or just do some research check that out or just do some research into the R suite of tools. Out of all into the R suite of tools. Out of all into the R suite of tools. Out of all those though, one of my personal those though, one of my personal those though, one of my personal favorites is something called Overseerr.

favorites is something called Overseerr. favorites is something called Overseerr. This gives you a beautiful user This gives you a beautiful user This gives you a beautiful user interface to help you discover new interface to help you discover new interface to help you discover new things. You can see all different like things. You can see all different like things. You can see all different like TV shows, for example, of from all the TV shows, for example, of from all the TV shows, for example, of from all the different streaming services. And you different streaming services. And you different streaming services. And you can like sort those based on what's can like sort those based on what's can like sort those based on what's popular overall. It just makes it really popular overall. It just makes it really popular overall. It just makes it really easy for content discovery. It is a easy for content discovery. It is a easy for content discovery. It is a beautiful tool. Three, DNS and VPN beautiful tool. Three, DNS and VPN beautiful tool. Three, DNS and VPN services. First, starting off with DNS. services. First, starting off with DNS. services. First, starting off with DNS. And this just means domain name server. And this just means domain name server. And this just means domain name server. The best way to think of DNS is kind of The best way to think of DNS is kind of The best way to think of DNS is kind of like a phone book, actually linking the like a phone book, actually linking the like a phone book, actually linking the domain name to the IP address that a domain name to the IP address that a domain name to the IP address that a website is running behind. And you've website is running behind. And you've website is running behind. And you've probably even switched up the DNS in probably even switched up the DNS in probably even switched up the DNS in your computer settings at one point. You your computer settings at one point. You your computer settings at one point. You might be familiar with 1.1.1, which is might be familiar with 1.1.1, which is might be familiar with 1.1.1, which is Cloudflare DNS, or even 8.8.8.8, which Cloudflare DNS, or even 8.8.8.8, which Cloudflare DNS, or even 8.8.8.8, which is Google's DNS server. And those are is Google's DNS server. And those are is Google's DNS server. And those are probably the two most popular DNS probably the two most popular DNS probably the two most popular DNS providers. And a very popular service providers. And a very popular service providers. And a very popular service that you can run locally is called that you can run locally is called that you can run locally is called Pi-hole. This is a DNS sinkhole that Pi-hole. This is a DNS sinkhole that Pi-hole. This is a DNS sinkhole that allows for DNS filtering with a primary allows for DNS filtering with a primary allows for DNS filtering with a primary focus to filter out domains associated focus to filter out domains associated focus to filter out domains associated with ads on your entire network. It's with ads on your entire network. It's with ads on your entire network. It's very customizable. There's really a lot very customizable. There's really a lot very customizable. There's really a lot you can do with it for web filtering, you can do with it for web filtering, you can do with it for web filtering, monitoring, a bunch of stuff. And this monitoring, a bunch of stuff. And this monitoring, a bunch of stuff. And this is just one of the examples. There are is just one of the examples. There are is just one of the examples. There are other services and use cases for hosting other services and use cases for hosting other services and use cases for hosting your very own DNS server. Now, VPN. And your very own DNS server. Now, VPN. And your very own DNS server. Now, VPN. And this this does work a little bit this this does work a little bit this this does work a little bit differently than something you might be differently than something you might be differently than something you might be used to such as a private internet used to such as a private internet used to such as a private internet access or NordVPN. This is going to be access or NordVPN. This is going to be access or NordVPN. This is going to be running on your hardware passing through running on your hardware passing through running on your hardware passing through your home network as the VPN server. So,

your home network as the VPN server. So, your home network as the VPN server. So, for example, in like a commercial for example, in like a commercial for example, in like a commercial service, you log into their GUI, select service, you log into their GUI, select service, you log into their GUI, select the server somewhere else, whether that the server somewhere else, whether that the server somewhere else, whether that be some major metropolitan area, or even be some major metropolitan area, or even be some major metropolitan area, or even some other country if that's what you some other country if that's what you some other country if that's what you need. And then you're essentially need. And then you're essentially need. And then you're essentially searching the web from that specific searching the web from that specific searching the web from that specific location. And this is beneficial, of location. And this is beneficial, of location. And this is beneficial, of course, for accessing things such as course, for accessing things such as course, for accessing things such as geo-restricted websites and hiding your geo-restricted websites and hiding your geo-restricted websites and hiding your IP address when you're downloading Linux IP address when you're downloading Linux IP address when you're downloading Linux ISOs, for example. A self-hosted VPN ISOs, for example. A self-hosted VPN ISOs, for example. A self-hosted VPN works rather similarly except for if works rather similarly except for if works rather similarly except for if you're somewhere else in the world and you're somewhere else in the world and you're somewhere else in the world and you connect to your VPN, you're routing you connect to your VPN, you're routing you connect to your VPN, you're routing through to your home network. Also through to your home network. Also through to your home network. Also giving you some of the same benefits as giving you some of the same benefits as giving you some of the same benefits as a commercial VPN such as having an a commercial VPN such as having an a commercial VPN such as having an encrypted tunnel from wherever you may encrypted tunnel from wherever you may encrypted tunnel from wherever you may be in the world to that home network. be in the world to that home network. be in the world to that home network. Which is really nice for connecting to Which is really nice for connecting to Which is really nice for connecting to like public Wi-Fi or something like like public Wi-Fi or something like like public Wi-Fi or something like that. And then, of course, you can that. And then, of course, you can that. And then, of course, you can access all of these services, the files access all of these services, the files access all of these services, the files and file shares on your network just and file shares on your network just and file shares on your network just like you would if you were at home. like you would if you were at home. like you would if you were at home. Again, shout out to our sponsor Again, shout out to our sponsor Again, shout out to our sponsor Twinguard, link to them down below. Twinguard, link to them down below. Twinguard, link to them down below. There are a bunch of different options There are a bunch of different options There are a bunch of different options for setting up a VPN, for setting up a VPN, for setting up a VPN, whether that be specifically VPN, zero whether that be specifically VPN, zero whether that be specifically VPN, zero trust networking, lots of different trust networking, lots of different trust networking, lots of different things. Next up, we're going to talk things. Next up, we're going to talk things. Next up, we're going to talk about learning and home lab. Running a about learning and home lab. Running a about learning and home lab. Running a home server gives you the opportunity to home server gives you the opportunity to home server gives you the opportunity to create a lab environment, commonly create a lab environment, commonly create a lab environment, commonly referred to as a home lab. Having access referred to as a home lab. Having access referred to as a home lab. Having access to an environment like this gives you to an environment like this gives you to an environment like this gives you instant access to learn and experiment.

instant access to learn and experiment. instant access to learn and experiment. For example, you may have a small server For example, you may have a small server For example, you may have a small server like this running somewhere. Maybe you like this running somewhere. Maybe you like this running somewhere. Maybe you have a virtualization software such as have a virtualization software such as have a virtualization software such as Proxmox running on it. On that, you Proxmox running on it. On that, you Proxmox running on it. On that, you might have a container for something might have a container for something might have a container for something like Pi-hole and Plex. And then maybe like Pi-hole and Plex. And then maybe like Pi-hole and Plex. And then maybe you have a Linux desktop virtual machine you have a Linux desktop virtual machine you have a Linux desktop virtual machine running on it, too. Then you see some running on it, too. Then you see some running on it, too. Then you see some cool project or something on GitHub and cool project or something on GitHub and cool project or something on GitHub and you want to go ahead and try it out. you want to go ahead and try it out. you want to go ahead and try it out. Since you have the infrastructure just Since you have the infrastructure just Since you have the infrastructure just ready to go, it is incredibly easy to ready to go, it is incredibly easy to ready to go, it is incredibly easy to create new isolated virtual machines or create new isolated virtual machines or create new isolated virtual machines or containers in just a few clicks on that containers in just a few clicks on that containers in just a few clicks on that specific software and many other specific software and many other specific software and many other software options as well. So, you create software options as well. So, you create software options as well. So, you create the new container or virtual machine to the new container or virtual machine to the new container or virtual machine to test out the service. You play around test out the service. You play around test out the service. You play around with it. Maybe it's not for you. In a with it. Maybe it's not for you. In a with it. Maybe it's not for you. In a couple clicks, you delete it and it's couple clicks, you delete it and it's couple clicks, you delete it and it's like it never even happened. Something like it never even happened. Something like it never even happened. Something I'm doing right now, for example, is I'm doing right now, for example, is I'm doing right now, for example, is teaching myself basic networking with teaching myself basic networking with teaching myself basic networking with some TP-Link Omada equipment that I got. some TP-Link Omada equipment that I got. some TP-Link Omada equipment that I got. And since I have that whole environment And since I have that whole environment And since I have that whole environment already set up, I was able to isolate already set up, I was able to isolate already set up, I was able to isolate the new network from my existing network the new network from my existing network the new network from my existing network equipment that a majority of the equipment that a majority of the equipment that a majority of the client-side devices are already client-side devices are already client-side devices are already connected to through Wi-Fi or whatever connected to through Wi-Fi or whatever connected to through Wi-Fi or whatever means. As to avoid the question, "What means. As to avoid the question, "What means. As to avoid the question, "What happened to the internet?" And once I happened to the internet?" And once I happened to the internet?" And once I feel confident and I get all the IP feel confident and I get all the IP feel confident and I get all the IP reservations and all that set up, I'll reservations and all that set up, I'll reservations and all that set up, I'll be able to switch to the new network.

be able to switch to the new network. be able to switch to the new network. And from a client side, nobody should And from a client side, nobody should And from a client side, nobody should really notice. Number five, your network really notice. Number five, your network really notice. Number five, your network internet-less. Now, I'm not trying to internet-less. Now, I'm not trying to internet-less. Now, I'm not trying to sound like a doomer here, but one of the sound like a doomer here, but one of the sound like a doomer here, but one of the key reasons I have the setup I have is key reasons I have the setup I have is key reasons I have the setup I have is because if anything were to happen to because if anything were to happen to because if anything were to happen to the internet, my access to it or the the internet, my access to it or the the internet, my access to it or the data on it, I have my own internet at data on it, I have my own internet at data on it, I have my own internet at home. That's what I'll tell my kids, home. That's what I'll tell my kids, home. That's what I'll tell my kids, anyways. anyways. anyways. I have enough services and data that I I have enough services and data that I I have enough services and data that I can really do a lot without actually can really do a lot without actually can really do a lot without actually needing that external internet needing that external internet needing that external internet connection. Did you know that the connection. Did you know that the connection. Did you know that the entirety of Wikipedia with images is entirety of Wikipedia with images is entirety of Wikipedia with images is only 109 only 109 only 109 GB? Every few months a snapshot is GB? Every few months a snapshot is GB? Every few months a snapshot is available to download and it can be available to download and it can be available to download and it can be easily viewed and navigated with a Zim easily viewed and navigated with a Zim easily viewed and navigated with a Zim viewer or server. Many TED Talks are viewer or server. Many TED Talks are viewer or server. Many TED Talks are open source. Most of the wikis, open source. Most of the wikis, open source. Most of the wikis, including technical Linux wikis such as including technical Linux wikis such as including technical Linux wikis such as ArchWiki, ArchWiki, ArchWiki, Ask Ubuntu, all those are open source Ask Ubuntu, all those are open source Ask Ubuntu, all those are open source and easily downloadable. I can have a and easily downloadable. I can have a and easily downloadable. I can have a Minecraft server running in the Minecraft server running in the Minecraft server running in the background for later use with all the background for later use with all the background for later use with all the other services that I've talked about in other services that I've talked about in other services that I've talked about in this video. I mean we're good to go. And this video. I mean we're good to go. And this video. I mean we're good to go. And of course there are many many other of course there are many many other of course there are many many other services and categories of tools that services and categories of tools that services and categories of tools that you should probably have running you should probably have running you should probably have running locally. Whether that be your security locally. Whether that be your security locally. Whether that be your security system, do you really want to depend on system, do you really want to depend on system, do you really want to depend on a cloud company and have your live feeds a cloud company and have your live feeds a cloud company and have your live feeds transmitting to them all the time?

transmitting to them all the time? transmitting to them all the time? Probably not. Is your Google Home really Probably not. Is your Google Home really Probably not. Is your Google Home really going to be there for you when things going to be there for you when things going to be there for you when things aren't working right? No matter what aren't working right? No matter what aren't working right? No matter what your use cases are or what you need, you your use cases are or what you need, you your use cases are or what you need, you you should probably at least get you should probably at least get you should probably at least get something like a little mini PC, throw a something like a little mini PC, throw a something like a little mini PC, throw a service or two on, just play around, service or two on, just play around, service or two on, just play around, have fun, learn and eventually you'll be have fun, learn and eventually you'll be have fun, learn and eventually you'll be a nerd like me who scours GitHub a nerd like me who scours GitHub a nerd like me who scours GitHub trending looking for more things to play trending looking for more things to play trending looking for more things to play around with, add, and talk about here. around with, add, and talk about here. around with, add, and talk about here. Speaking of talking about here, I will Speaking of talking about here, I will Speaking of talking about here, I will be talking about a lot more stuff here, be talking about a lot more stuff here, be talking about a lot more stuff here, so do subscribe so you don't miss any so do subscribe so you don't miss any so do subscribe so you don't miss any future content. And with all that, I do future content. And with all that, I do future content. And with all that, I do hope you have an absolutely beautiful hope you have an absolutely beautiful hope you have an absolutely beautiful day. day. day. Anything I mentioned will be linked down Anything I mentioned will be linked down Anything I mentioned will be linked down below, so do check out those resources below, so do check out those resources below, so do check out those resources and goodbye.