Advice for Setting Up a Multi-purpose Home Server - eviltoast

Hi!

tldr, i want to do a lot of different things. is it recommended to use one single server?

I’m planning to set up a home server and need guidance and opinions on a few things.

  1. Storing Personal Media: To host images from my camera and phone.
  2. Media Server/Data Backup: To back up movies that I own, along with important documents like mortgage information and taxes documents. etc.
  3. Virtualization: To set up VMs for testing and various other uses.
  4. Web Hosting: I’d like to run small websites that are currently running on Digital Ocean
  5. Networking: I have opnsense, maybe I’d like to consolidate.
  6. General Storage: For storing ebooks and miscellaneous files.

I have several questions and concerns:

  • Hardware Selection: What type of server hardware should I consider for these tasks? Would it be more beneficial to build my own server or to purchase a pre-built one?
  • Data Segregation and Security: How should I separate sensitive personal data from public website data on the server? Are there specific security practices I should follow?
  • Storage Practices: What are the best practices for storing different types of data (e.g., personal, public, general storage) on a multi-purpose server?

Thank you in advance for your help and insights!

  • AlwaysADumbQuestion@alien.topOPBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago
    1. What is your budget?

    thanks, i should’ve included this. i don’t want to go too crazy here, I’d really love to stay under $1000.

    1. Do you already have hard drives? If yes, what physical size, storage size, and quantity?

    i do not.

    1. Do you have a rack?

    i do not.

    1. How much dedicated power do you have?

    I’m not sure what you mean. This will ideally live in an apartment and eventually a home.

    1. What area will the server live? Does it have access to HVAC? Does the server need to stay under a given decibel?

    It’ll likely stay in a room designated for an office. I don’t want a giant 42u rack or anything.

    1. What components do you already have? starting from scratch!