I’m looking at various single board computers ( think raspberry pi) to host a server on. Namely for hosting media, an email, and perhaps a web site/fediverse instance/blog/forum on.
I’m under an assumption that a SBC and some hard drives could handle this on the hardware side. Am I totally off the mark? And what kind of os and other soft wear should I consider using?
spoiler
I have a few thoughts,
- Self hosting email sucks. Unless you just want the learning experience, pretty much major email service will mark your address as spam. I’d just get the lifetime account on mxroute (pretty sure it’s still available).
- I have tried using raspberry pi (3B) as media / file server. It’s running, but for some reason, the HDD won’t spin down even when no one’s accessing the drive. The drive is extremely hot and loud. Gave up on that.
- That said, everything else would work just fine. My pi is running pihole, octoprint, and CUPS. And it barely need any maintenance.
A different kind of advice: be vigilant with security updates, and remove services you’re not using.
Using insecure software makes it likely you’ll get hacked sooner or later, especially if automated scans can find your server. (For example because it’s listed in a search engine, or part of some network like the fediverse).I had an old MacBook Pro laying around so I put docker on it for fun.
it’s currently running an apache web server for me (with php) and has been rock solid. (I used to use mamp.)
I also run homebridge for my Apple Home on the mbp. homebridge uses brew (from brew.sh) for install/dependencies/etc.
There are small form factor PCs that you can get used and they will have more power, IO, better compatibility, and be cheaper than a raspberry pi.
There are YouTube videos about it and they are not much bigger than the size of a pi.
Their initial cost might be more, but if you get a case and sd card and micro-hdmi adapter you can totally get a better system.
