TL;DR: have a server and want an OS for it. Currently using CasaOS. Any and all recommendations GREATLY appreciated.
I have a homeserver that I have 36TB of storage for and I want a nice simple OS to use.
I’m currently using CasaOS but I keep hearing bad things about it such as very poor security.
I’m thinking of moving over to Cosmos OS which is similar but lacks a file manager.
I really just want to be able to use Jellyfin/cloudflare/other fun apps. I also don’t know annnything about linux so I love these web GUIs.
Im open to some kind of linux desktop but preferrably something with very minimal experience needed.
Thanks!
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Get debian or ubuntu server, you can install docker within the Ubuntu install these days. Learn how to install portainer (very simple) – then install this portainer template which will allow you to pretty much 1 click install all the apps you see on this sub
Open media vault is an excellent option as it is nothing but a aquality of line / web GUI that you install over Debian. It has an excellent docker compose extension that lets you use all those apps
Proxmox seems to be exactly what you want.
I tried Proxmox and gave up, too much complicated in how to share mass storage between different VMs
Now I use PopOS, the “poor man raid” MergerFS to store the data and Docker/Portaineir to run my services: Plex, Jellyfin and Syncthing. And there’s still plenty of power to occasionally play Diablo4 using Lutris.
PopOS is already pre-configured for games, otherwise my choice is Debian. I’m a little suspicious about Ubuntu, I believe it is positioning itself to sell a premium version. Or worse, for a monthly subscription.
I’m unsure how you go from proxmox to popOS… sounds like you never wanted something like proxmox.
Before some months ago my domestic server are a archaic Core 2 Duo refurbished workstation and my desktop a 2013 MacBook.
A souped-up desktop with some silent (Noctua) fans now can do both the roles, with a lot less hassle.
I am a old geek, 30+ years in IT, and, believe me, I tried.
+1 for Proxmox
Unless you need a windows infrastructure just go with some linux distro. There’s no reason to use the open solaris forks or any kind of darwin nonsense. Keep it simple.
Do you need a desktop environment on the server itself or will you just log in from another computer via ssh or a web based gui?
Web based gui is probably preferred but either way is fine.
If you’re going the Docker route and running everything in containers it’s much of a muchness really. Just pick a common distribution that’s well documented, don’t install a desktop environment, and install Portainer as a web ui to manage your Docker environment. I’ve done it on Arch, Debian and Ubuntu.
Proxmox or XCP-ng
Both are easy to set up and use. Both give you freedom to run a virtual infrastructure.I run both, prefer Proxmox fwiw
https://www.proxmox.com/en/if you do run proxmox check out this repository … jump start your rabbit hole into container
https://tteck.github.io/Proxmox/Proxmox or TrueNAS scale I suppose. Alternatively just pure Debian/Ubuntu, you could install cockpit on top for easier administration https://cockpit-project.org/
Using those OSes to config container for selfhosting is easy to setup but hard to troubleshoot. U still need to learn more about Linux, Security, Networking for the long run.
It hasnt even been a whole day since the last “which OS should i use” post…
I’m currently using CasaOS but I keep hearing bad things about it such as very poor security.
Never heard that before, if that is your reason i would just continue using it.
Try unraid it has free trial
Try truenas
Try all of em use what you like at the end that’s what I did
And it depends on use case
I settled with unraid
Try Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. It has got desktop and server versions. Its free software.
Proxmox 100%. Absolute perfect environment for playing around with jellyfin and whatever other software you want to check out. Just make a container, install whatever you want in it, then either leave it or delete it when you’re done. Makes life so simple