If you’re looking to start a server for home use, the first step is to decide what type of server you need. There are desktop servers, NAS servers, and even cloud-based servers on the market. Once you know which type of server will work best for your needs, it’s time to choose the right software to run it. This guide will help you make the decision on how to Build a Server for Home Usage.
In this article, we are going to take a look at where you can use a home server for, and what you need to build your own server and how to Build a Server for Home Usage.
Build a Server for Home Usage
What Is a Server?
A server is a computer that is used to store and deliver files online. Servers come in many different sizes and shapes, and they can be used for a variety of purposes including running your own website, playing video games, or storing data. There are many different types of servers available, so it’s important to find the one that best suits your needs.
How can you start a server for home use
One way to start a server for home use is by using an online application like Ubuntu Server or CentOS Linux. These applications allow you to create and manage servers from your home computer. You can also download and install the necessary software on your server, then connect it to the internet. Once it’s connected, you can begin serving up files from it!
Home Server Uses
A home server can be used for many different tasks. I already mentioned a couple of ideas, but let’s take a deeper look at the different functions for a server at home. We will start with the most common use cases.
Central storage with a Home Cloud Server
Files are getting bigger and bigger, and we all want to keep our photos, videos, and other files as long as possible. When you have a server at home then it makes perfect sense to centrally store your data on the server.
The problem in every household is that data is scattered over different computers and external drives. By consolidating them into one location on a home file server, everybody can easily access the files, and you can better protect your data.
When you store all your data centrally in one place, make sure you have a good backup of that data. A RAID solution alone isn’t a backup, make sure you keep a copy of the data on an external device.
One of the advantages of cloud storage is that you can access your data from anywhere in the world, even from your mobile phone. With a home cloud server, you can get the same features as with other cloud solutions, only based on your own storage.
There are a couple of advantages when it comes to running a local file server compare to using a cloud solution:
- Speed – You can access your files blazing fast over your local network (no need to download them first)
- Privacy – Nobody is sniffing through your files
- Security – Full control over who accesses your data
There are different solutions available for storing data centrally. If you are using a Synology NAS then you can use the built-in features to make network shares and access your data remotely. Other good options to make a home cloud server are:
- NextCloud
- Tonido
- FreeNAS – If you don’t need cloud access
How To Build a Server
Here are the steps you need to build a server.
Determine your needs
Determining your needs helps to save on cost and time.
Hosting personal files requires a cheap home server setup. You can use it to run simple websites and store files.
On the other hand, the stakes rise when it comes to tasking projects. For example, business sites require 24/7 uptime. Managing significant website traffic requires lots of resources, too. You don’t want your visitors to bounce off due to slow performance.
The same also applies to platforms that serve media-rich applications, like streaming and gaming. You’ll need a robust system to deliver interrupted services.
Computer Hardware
The hardware to consider when it comes to how to build a server are:
- CPU: The central processing unit (CPU) is a device that manages webserver tasks. For a simple setup consider getting a Celeron unit. It’s cheap and can flawlessly run lightweight projects. For tasking activities, you should go for Ryzen or Xeon processors. Despite being costly, they run complex applications effortlessly.
- Motherboard: Also known as the system board, it’s the server’s backbone. It provides the bridge for all the computer’s components to interact. Good options include HP, Dell, Asus, and ASRock.
- RAM: Random-access memory is a component that temporarily stores data for processing. You need DDR4 RAM for your server. It has multi-channels for faster handling of information.
- Hard Drive: This is a device for storing files on the system. You can make your own server using an SSD drive. It provides up to 20x better speeds than traditional hard disks.
- Cooling: A server generates heat while running applications. It can easily break down without proper cooling. To avoid that, you need a sizable fan.
- Chassis: A chassis is a metal casing for housing your server’s components. It has slots where you can fit everything into place. iStarUSA has a wide variety of affordable options. The other alternatives for your cheap server build are Supermicro, Athena, and Rosewill.
- Power Supply: Simple tasks require at least a 300 watts unit. For heavy applications, you’ll need 500 watts on the lower side.
- Graphics Card (Optional): Processors do have an integrated graphics driver. These are great for running most apps as well. Tasks such as gaming, streaming, and mining, however, require more power. Consider getting a dedicated graphics card when building your own web server.
- DVD Drive (Optional): Everything is easily downloadable from the internet nowadays. But you can use an optical drive to install a custom image. Likewise, it helps save backups on a DVD.
Networking Equipment
So, if you’re wondering how to create a server – get broadband equipment. First, get a networking card. Most are universal and blend perfectly with a majority of operating systems. Furthermore, they range from $20 to $50 apiece.
Get a category 6 (cat6) router and Ethernet cable. It gives you room to expand bandwidth requirements in the future. If that happens, all you’ll need is to upgrade your plan from your internet service provider. Reliable brands include D-Link, Startech, TP-Link, and others.
Speed also depends on your needs. Shared hosting providers limit it to around 10Mbps. That fits light tasks perfectly. Demanding web hosting on VPS servers, however, comes with at least 100Mbps.
Operating System
Next on how to make a server is choosing an operating system (OS). Open-source software options are the best. Apart from being free, they have a loyal following online. So, you can always ask the online communities for help.
Any Linux distribution is excellent for your webserver. That’s because all OSs under this platform come at no extra cost. There is only one challenge, though – developers can change strategy at any time.
Take IBM Red Hat’s CentOS 7 and CentOS 8, for example They were the most popular applications for powering servers. The company, however, will end support of them by 2024.
Enough with the sad part, though.
There are over 600 alternative OSs to build your own server. For example, CentOS’s direct competitors include RockyLinux and AlmaLinux. Others comprise Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, OpenSUSE, etc.
You can also try the premium options. For example, you can use Windows for running enterprise applications. It also offers seamless scalability for upgrading resources. Apart from that, it’s a good choice for working with teams.
MacOS is another option for creating a cheap home server build. It suits consumers that love using Apple’s products. You can use it as a controller for your Apple TV and iOS devices.
Put Everything Together
This is the most challenging part of how to build a server. First, you’ll need to gather all the components in one place. Thеn, have a look at the documentation, which manufacturers provide. Next, locate step-by-step instructions for assembling the parts.
Another alternative is to search the internet for guides. You can have a look at DIY videos on YouTube. Likewise, you can hire a technician to fix it.
How Much Does a Server Cost?
If you’re wondering how to make a server, the cost is probably your biggest concern.
As earlier said, it all depends on your needs. A simple setup averages around $600 to $900. For a robust configuration, it will set you back $1,000 or more.
Here’s the breakdown:
A Celeron CPU starts from $62. It’s a low-spec version of Intel’s processor lineup. You can opt for powerful alternatives that cost $300 and up. AMD’s Ryzen chips are the best for that price. They offer more cores for handling complex applications.
You can get a traditional hard disk if you’re working on a budget. A 4,000GB (4TB) drive goes for $104 only. That costs the same as a 500GB SSD. Though you get less storage, your custom server build will work faster.
When it comes to motherboards, go with the best that money can buy. As a rule of thumb, you should spend $250 or more. You’ll upgrade to newer components without worrying about compatibility.
Time is also an essential part of how to create a server. It can take you up to 72 hours to finish the setup. That ranges from $120 to $720 in terms of labor costs.
How To Create Your Own Server At Home For Web Hosting
Choose a Hardware
The first step to creating a web server is to supply the necessary hardware. You can use an old PC or a laptop that is built specifically for file storage. Wondering how to set up a web server on a home computer? It is better if you use a PC since there are additional cables and switches connected to the main computer, and getting a server rack would be a good idea if you want to keep everything organized. At this point, you also need to decide by how many users the server will be used by and configure it so that it will be able to accommodate the needs of each of its users. It is always better if the computer is newer and faster – this means that the server will perform better and have more processing power, but it still needs to be regularly updated and protected with powerful firewalls.
When making a server, you need to get a computer with at least 60 GB hard drive, out of which at least 25 GB is free space the server can rely on. It also needs to have a dual-core processor of at least 2 GHz and 2 GB RAM. The computer must have a USB port and a DVD drive; most servers operate on a Linux operating system, which is generally considered better for server operation.
Hosting a server at home requires a strong internet connection that can meet the needs of the expected web traffic. The most important thing you need to look for in your internet connection is the download and upload speeds. ISPs usually provide a good download speed, but slow upload speed for residential connections. You can test the speed of your internet connection, and you should check with your ISP if there are any limits on your connection. If there are, you should consider changing your provider.
After you’ve learned how to make your own servers, you might find the process a bit complicated. In case you decide against building your server, there are web hosting providers you can get this service from, and you can choose a type of hosting that’s best suited to your site’s needs. For example, if you have a blog, you should turn to a provider for the ideal WordPress hosting; if your site’s needs are more extensive, you should consider high-quality cloud hosting. Also, remember that you don’t need to acquire hosting directly from a certified provider – there are some great reseller hosting services available.
Choose Your Operating System: Linux or Windows?
With hardware in place, your next choice when deciding how to build a server for your website is choosing your operating system. You have two realistic choices to choose from – Microsoft Windows or Linux.
It’s estimated that nearly 70% of servers on the web currently run Linux. The reasons why can vary, but cost considerations and the ease in which these servers can be customized play a big part.
If you’d rather run a Windows web server, you’ll need to pay for a Windows license. Linux, by comparison, is free and open source and can be far more customizable than a typical Windows server installation would be.
Linux servers are also a more secure option, with far fewer malware opportunities for hackers to exploit.
That doesn’t mean they’re invincible, however. Much will depend on keeping your software up-to-date, and your server properly configured, regardless of which operating system you choose to use.
What are Some of the Different Types of Server Operating Systems.
Windows Server 2003 is a popular server operating system that allows you to run multiple Windows applications on the same system. It’s also easy to use, making it an ideal choice for beginners.
Linux Server is a popular server operating system used by experts in the Linux community. It’s well-suited for systems with low RAM and high performance requirements.
FreeBSD Server is a Unix-based server operating system that has been widely used in the security and networking industries. It’s known for its high stability and compatibility.
How to Start a Server for Home Use.
When choosing an operating system for your server, it’s important to make sure you’re using the right one. Many servers come pre-configured with a specific platform or operating system, so you don’t have to worry about learning a new codebase.
Configure the Server
Configuring your server can be a little daunting, but luckily there are many guides and tutorials out there that can help you get started. You don’t need to be a tech expert to configure a server successfully, but it will save you time and hassle in the long run.
Install the Server Software
Once your server is operational, it’s time to install its software. This can take many different forms, but most often it involves copying files from one place to another on your computer or storage device. Be sure to follow installation instructions carefully and ensure that all required components are installed before starting up your server!
Start the Server
Finally, start your server up and enjoy yourself! After following these steps correctly, yourserver should now be online and ready for business!
Conclusion
Starting a server for home use is simple: choose the right operating system and configure the server. Additionally, install the server software and start it. Although there are different types of servers, starting a server for home use is an easy task that can make your business more efficient.