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!

  • -SHINSTER007@alien.topBEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    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

  • mervincm@alien.topBEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    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

    • AlternativeBasis@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      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.

      • wmantly@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        I’m unsure how you go from proxmox to popOS… sounds like you never wanted something like proxmox.

        • AlternativeBasis@alien.topBEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          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.

  • ddpbsd@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    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.

  • bobbarker4444@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    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

  • daYMAN007@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    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.

  • DIBSSB@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    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

  • sparky5dn1l@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    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.

  • audero@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    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?

      • audero@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        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.