Planning to Build Home Server (Beginner)

[infernuz]

Hello everyone! Currently having a growing interest in building a home server. I am still in the process of reading different guides and videos and honestly overwhelmed and my knowledge of PCs is mostly in gaming so hardcore coding, networking and environment other than Windows is still unclear to me.

My Thoughts:
Primary use is file storage and have the ability to be accessed from outside of home network similar to that of a cloud storage. It will run 24/7, needs low power consumption and has to be secured. I am considering to add a Home Assistant to it in the future for smart devices at home. Since this is my first time, I am going for all used parts or used PC to start with.

Questions:
1. I do not prefer mechanical HDs for now and willing to go SSDs since I have spare SATA SSDs that I can use. My idea is just to have backup of my storage and have it scheduled.

2. I prefer to start with Windows environment first even though I know Linux or maybe other OS will yield better flexibility. If I run Home Assistant and TrueNas for example, is my understanding correct that it will be via Hyper-V when in Windows?

3. If I want to access my server PC, can I use TeamViewer as remote control software to touch stuff or are there alternatives?

4. Do I need an AV for the server PC? I have Bitdefender Total Security and wondering if it will suffice.

5. Does that server PC needs to be connected with cable to my router or Wifi is enough? Also, do I need a switch or router only will be fine for my use? Currently, I have a desktop PC and Beelink mini PC both connected by LAN cable to my router.

Hardware Qs:
I am thinking between a Lenovo Thinkcenter M75Q with Ryzen 3400GE APU due to low TDP and price of US$190 (converted from JPY), or AsRock Deskmini with Ryzen APU build for US$250. For third option, traditional assembly of parts with 3200G/3400G as base (mATX since mITX boards are expensive).

Sorry if this sounds noob. TIA!

 

[dragontamer5788]

If you know Windows, then stick with Windows. However, VMs do add complications in my experience. Not only are there Linux bugs/maintenance with the Linux OS you install, but there might be a VM-problem / Hyper-V problem, and finally Windows (the host OS) could have a problem.

That's a lot more complications. Lets just start with "Fileshare" and work up from there.

> 3. If I want to access my server PC, can I use TeamViewer as remote control software to touch stuff or are there alternatives?

Remote Desktop.

> 4. Do I need an AV for the server PC? I have Bitdefender Total Security and wondering if it will suffice.

If its just Windows, then Windows Defender is fine. I don't think virus scanners do very much anyway, but feel free to run it if it makes you feel better.

> 5. Does that server PC needs to be connected with cable to my router or Wifi is enough? Also, do I need a switch or router only will be fine for my use? Currently, I have a desktop PC and Beelink mini PC both connected by LAN cable to my router.

Cable is preferred because WiFi is a radio. And radios go down due to interference and other complications. Wires tend to be more reliable. That being said, WiFi is easier to setup because... well... no wires.

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Linux is often used as a server because a lot of cheap (aka: free) server software exists for Linux. Windows Server and its associated software is $1000+ per item, no joke. But depending on what you want to do, maybe it comes "free with Windows Home Edition" or the $30 upgrade to Windows Pro.

The big question is: what do you plan to do with this server? If you're just setting up a Windows share to dump files to, that's more than doable with the base version of Windows. If you're trying to setup an Active Directory single-sign on solution, well that's gonna be $1000+ Windows Server License. I _think_ Hyper-V is Windows Pro? ($30??) but someone else should double-check that...

 

[A Computer Guy]

Hello everyone! Currently having a growing interest in building a home server. I am still in the process of reading different guides and videos and honestly overwhelmed and my knowledge of PCs is mostly in gaming so hardcore coding, networking and environment other than Windows is still unclear to me.

My Thoughts:
Primary use is file storage and have the ability to be accessed from outside of home network similar to that of a cloud storage. It will run 24/7, needs low power consumption and has to be secured. I am considering to add a Home Assistant to it in the future for smart devices at home. Since this is my first time, I am going for all used parts or used PC to start with.

If your needs are simple and you want minimal hassle (plug and play, it just works) you might take a look at Synology units like DS920+ or DS923+. (LOL please don't hate on me for this.)

• Stable and mature OS, very easy to use. Includes security options and user/share management.
• File serving is what it does best (plus some other things)
• They have cloud access options for your local NAS unit
• Designed to run 24/7
• Low power consumption, hard to beat
• RAID support & SHR/SHR2 & BTRFS
  • I like this for data availability if a drive fails and helping against bit rot
• Easily schedule backups from the NAS to USB or other devices including the cloud
  • I use automated nightly backups to USB and to another NAS
• NVMe caching and RAM expandability
• Some models support ECC RAM

I haven't tried SSD's as storage drives on Synology yet so some research needed. (it's on my todo list now that drives are getting cheaper)
1Gbps NIC is a complaint but the 923+ has an add-in module for 10Gbps if I recall.
There were some older bad Intel CPU models with dying CPU's (400 series I think) so stay away from those.
Best to wait for when they are on a NewEgg sale and snag them for around $100-$200 off the normal price.

Questions:
1. I do not prefer mechanical HDs for now and willing to go SSDs since I have spare SATA SSDs that I can use. My idea is just to have backup of my storage and have it scheduled.

2. I prefer to start with Windows environment first even though I know Linux or maybe other OS will yield better flexibility. If I run Home Assistant and TrueNas for example, is my understanding correct that it will be via Hyper-V when in Windows?

I have no idea about this configuration.

3. If I want to access my server PC, can I use TeamViewer as remote control software to touch stuff or are there alternatives?

For Windows, Remote Desktop although would be way too paranoid to allow that right onto the Internet but instead RDP though VPN if you have a good enough router for that.

4. Do I need an AV for the server PC? I have Bitdefender Total Security and wondering if it will suffice.

For my plex home server on my Deskmini I use the Microsoft included Defender however I don't expose my server to the internet so I didn't feel the need for anything stronger. There are varying opinions of course how good or not good Microsoft Defender is but I won't get into that here. If I was exposing a PC to the internet for Cloud Access I would want to setup way more security.

5. Does that server PC needs to be connected with cable to my router or Wifi is enough? Also, do I need a switch or router only will be fine for my use? Currently, I have a desktop PC and Beelink mini PC both connected by LAN cable to my router.

I would go with a hardwire connection although with a Deskmini the appeal to have a server where you only need to plug in the power and put just about anywhere is nice. You could even use a powerline adaptor as well if you still wanted to hardware the network connection and get both power and data from the wall socket.

Hardware Qs:
I am thinking between a Lenovo Thinkcenter M75Q with Ryzen 3400GE APU due to low TDP and price of US$190 (converted from JPY), or AsRock Deskmini with Ryzen APU build for US$250. For third option, traditional assembly of parts with 3200G/3400G as base (mATX since mITX boards are expensive).

Personally I like the Deskmini idea because I have one and I could pop a 5600g/5700g in there for some more HP if the need arises and flex the TDP if needed.

Sorry if this sounds noob. TIA!

If you are going to use AsRock Deskmini X300 with Ryzen APU

• It has two NVMe slots which is nice and 2 micro SATA connectors so you have quite a few storage options for such a small computer.
• If allowing it to sleep be sure to turn on Wake On LAN features in the UEFI/BIOS and in the OS (if applicable).
• Disable auto driver installer in UEFI/BIOS before OS install.
• Other than PBO settings to control power there are some quick options for 35w, 45w, and 65w (commercial and consumer?) power levels (I think these are just quick settings for TDP). If I remember correctly my unit with a 2200g would sleep somewhere between 0w to 5w when set to 35w TDP per my APC unit's readout. This might change depending on other devices you install.
• I started an Owners Club if you get a DeskMini it would be interesting to hear about your experiences using it as a home server if you decide to go this route.

I actually haven't tried the WiFi and also don't know if Wake-on-LAN works with WiFi.
As far as I have researched the Deskmini doesn't support ECC ram at all although I found the UEFI/BIOS option for it. (sometimes Asrock doesn't remove options that don't work but this option is hidden)

 

[ShiBDiB]

Sounds like you just want a NAS but not really?

 

[dragontamer5788]

For Windows, Remote Desktop although would be way too paranoid to allow that right onto the Internet but instead RDP though VPN if you have a good enough router for that.

Somehow I didn't realize that this computer was intended to be exposed to the public internet.

You'll definitely want to research VPN. VPNs are a way to create an encrypted connection across unsecure channels. IE: If you don't trust the internet, you can at least trust your computer + your home, and that alone is enough to build a secure VPN... In theory anyway. It takes a bit of effort, and bugs and errors, and misconfigurations can break your security. But its better to try.

Honestly, I don't think its a "beginner level" thing to expose a computer to the internet. There's just too many hackers these days, and the risk of invasion is too great. A home server that stays "private" inside of your network is the best plan.

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But if you "must" have a public connection out in the internet, VPN is your next best bet. Still with risks though.

 

[infernuz]

Thank you very much for your response everyone! It is still overwhelming but gave me some clarity on my purpose. I assume I mixed or overdo much between file server and VMs. However, this gave me direction as well on which to study first, which I think I should focus on storage and redundancy first. VMs and adding other programs will be a later part once maybe I get the hang of it.


I didn't realize having my network able to be accessed from outside would require tighter security and further complicate things than I have imagined. I think it is best to be local access in this case.

 

[1freedude]

I always recommend hfs, http file server. Read up on this and have fun. Trial and error on your on network, no harm, no foul.

GitHub - rejetto/hfs: HFS is a web file server to run on your computer. Share folders or even a single file thanks to the virtual file system.

HFS is a web file server to run on your computer. Share folders or even a single file thanks to the virtual file system. - rejetto/hfs

github.com

HFS ~ HTTP File Server

When the time comes, get a free dns update tool. Plenty to choose, but I use No-IP.

And, finally, go with Wireguard as a vpn protocol. If you want to experiment, get an OpenWRT compatible router, and set up your entire network with a very fast and secure tunnel