So after months of dealing with problems trying to get the stuff I want to host working on my Raspberry Pi and Synology, I’ve given up and decided I need a real server with an x86_64 processor and a standard Linux distro. So I don’t continue to run into problems after spending a bunch more, I want to seriously consider what I need hardware-wise. What considerations do I need to think about in this?
Initially, the main things I want to host are Nextcloud, Immich (or similar), and my own Node bot @DailyGameBot@lemmy.zip (which uses Puppeteer to take screenshots—the big issue that prevents it from running on a Pi or Synology). I’ll definitely want to expand to more things eventually, though I don’t know what. Probably all/most in Docker.
For now I’m likely to keep using Synology’s reverse proxy and built-in Let’s Encrypt certificate support, unless there are good reasons to avoid that. And as much as it’s possible, I’ll want the actual files (used by Nextcloud, Immich, etc.) to be stored on the Synology to take advantage of its large capacity and RAID 5 redundancy.
Is a second-hand Intel-based mini PC likely suitable? I read one thing saying that they can have serious thermal throttling issues because they don’t have great airflow. Is that a problem that matters for a home server, or is it more of an issue with desktops where people try to run games? Is there a particular reason to look at Intel vs AMD? Any particular things I should consider when looking at RAM, CPU power, or internal storage, etc. which might not be immediately obvious?
Bonus question: what’s a good distro to use? My experience so far has mostly been with desktop distros, primarily Kubuntu/Ubuntu, or with niche distros like Raspbian. But all Debian-based. Any reason to consider something else?
Business mini PCs with a decent amount of ram in them fit your use case well. And mine, which is why I have a bunch of them.
The only time ive seen heat be an issue is when they are stacked - to be clear, airflow on those is usually front to back, the problem is the chimney effect. Heat rises. So stacking can be a problem, but I just stick some thick nylon washers between, its worked quite well sticking them on a shelf in my rack. I generally put them in stacks of two, with two side by side, for a total of four per shelf.
You don’t need to do that right off though with just one.
If you do get a used one, look for units with 16 or more ram, or bump it to 32gb/64gb (model dependant) yourself. There is usually an unused m2 slot, great for a host os to live if you’ve got a spare (prices suck right now to buy), and typically there is a 2.5" data ssd though sometimes its mechanical or one of those hybrids. Useful storage, but use m2 if you can.
I prefer the Intel based units so I can use the igpu for general tasks, and if it has a dgpu (I have a few with a quadro in there) I use that for more dedicated transcoding tasks, or to pass through to a VM. For Jellyfin its using the igpu, no need to pass through if youre using an lxc for example.
Make sure to clean it out when you get it, and check how the fan is working. I’d pull the case, go into the bios, and manually change the fan speed. Make sure its working correctly, or replace it (pretty cheap, the last replacement I bought was ~$15). Any thermal paste in there is probably dried out, so replacing it isnt a bad idea either.
In terms of what to get, I’d lean towards 6th gen or newer intel cpu’s for most utility. One with a dgpu is handy obviously but not a requirement.
Personally I am a Debian guy for anything server. So I put Debian on, no DE, set up how I want. Then I convert to proxmox. If youre not overly specific about your setup (like most people, and how I should probably be but I’m too opinionated), you can just install proxmox.
Proxmox has no desktop environment. Its just a web GUI and the CLI, so once set up you can manage it entirely from another device. Mine connect to video switchers I have to spare, but you can just plug a monitor in temporarily if you need it.
Proxmox community scripts will show lots of options - I dont recommend running scripts off the internet though, but it will show you a lot of easy options for services.
Hope this helps!
Wow thanks, a lot of great advice in here!
I actually do have an old m2 drive sitting around somewhere, if I can find it. I think it was an m2 SATA (not NVMe) drive though, so not sure if there’s any advantage over a 2.5" other than the physical size.
What exactly is proxmox? A distro optimised for use in home servers? What does it do for you exactly that’s better than more standard Debian/Ubuntu?
Debian with a custom kernel, web interface, accompanying CLI tools in support of virtualization.
For one, I won’t touch Ubuntu for a server. Hard recommend against in all scenarios. Snap is a nightmare, both in use and security, and I have zero trust or faith in canonical at this point (as mentioned, I’m opinionated).
Debian itself is all I’ll use for a server, if I’m doing virt though I’d rather use proxmox to make management easier.
What’s the use case for that? My plan has been to run a single server with a handful of Docker containers. No need for more complex stuff like load balancing or distributed compute.
I prefer lxc to docker in general, but that’s just a preference.
If you end up relying on it, you can expand your servers by adding another to the cluster, and easily support the more complex stuff without major changes.
The web interface is also extremely handy as is the CLI, and backups are easy. High utility for minimal effort.
Its also a lot easier to add a VM later if youre set up for it from the start IMO.