First, a hardware question. I’m looking for a computer to use as a… router? Louis calls it a router but it’s a computer that is upstream of my whole network and has two ethernet ports. And suggestions on this? Ideal amount or RAM? Ideal processor/speed? I have fiber internet, 10 gbps up and 10 gbps down, so I’m willing to spend a little more on higher bandwidth components. I’m assuming I won’t need a GPU.
Anyways, has anyone had a chance to look at his guide? It’s accompanied by two youtube videos that are about 7 hours each.
I don’t expect to do everything in his guide. I’d like to be able to VPN into my home network and SSH into some of my projects, use Immich, check out Plex or similar, and set up a NAS. Maybe other stuff after that but those are my main interests.
Any advice/links for a beginner are more than welcome.
Edit: thanks for all the info, lots of good stuff here. OpenWRT seems to be the most frequently recommended thing here so I’m looking into that now. Unfortunately my current router/AP (Asus AX6600) is not supported. I was hoping to not have to replace it, it was kinda pricey, I got it when I upgraded to fiber since it can do 6.6gbps. I’m currently looking into devices I can put upstream of my current hardware but I might have to bite the bullet and replace it.
I would probably suggest just getting a Synology NAS or similar because it’s plug and play.
The whole idea of self-hosted is to build something yourself and learn your way around some new technology or software. Plus building something yourself allows you to change and upgrade it down the path, while Synology doesn’t provide any of the sort.
I don’t disagree but not everyone is studying for their CCNA.
A pre-built NAS is easy to set up and just works. and if it has docker support it can be just as hands on as building from the ground up.
I use xpenology. You can save money if u use that.
neat, is it worth it over TrueNAS though?
and the major cost of a NAS is the HDDs so I doubt you could save all that much.
In my usecase i tested unraid, ubuntu server and xpenology fits Perfekt for me for example with the photos app. I have a real small NAS DS218j running 24/7. My xpenology server runs like 4 hours oder night or automaticly longer if needed. The smaller one syncs easy to the otter ones. Also create and recover Backups is easy there.
They’re definitely on my radar whenever I get around to setting up a NAS
it can run everything you want that’s why I’d suggest it first.
Unless you want to train for a job in networking you don’t need to go all out on a home lab. it can be as hard or easy as you want it to be.