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Home Server

Homelab
In development

Turning an old, used office computer into a home server — media, backups, networking, and a growing list of self-hosted services running quietly in a closet.

Started June 2026 · Ubuntu Server, Docker

About

This summer I picked up an old office desktop and I'm turning it into a home server. I plan to install some sort of lightweight linux server distro, and learn how to administer, secure, and monitor a machine that's running 24/7 instead of just clicking through a managed hosting dashboard. Every service runs in its own Docker container, so I can break one without taking the rest down.

Services

Jellyfin / PlexMedia server for movies and shows, streamed to any device on the network.
Pi-holeNetwork-wide ad and tracker blocking for every device on the home network.
SambaShared file storage accessible from any computer on the LAN.
TailscaleSecure remote access to the server from anywhere, without opening ports.
Uptime KumaMonitors every service and flags the moment one goes down.
Nextcloud / ImmichPrivate cloud storage and automatic phone photo backups.
BackupsScheduled backups of everything that matters, stored on a second drive.

Built with

Linux Docker Jellyfin Pi-hole Tailscale Nextcloud