Self-Hosting
Self-hosting is the practice of running software and services on your own hardware or infrastructure, rather than relying on third-party cloud providers. This approach gives you full control over your data, privacy, customization, and uptime, but also requires technical knowledge and ongoing maintenance.
🌟 Why Self-Host?
- Privacy: Your data stays on your own hardware, not on someone else’s servers.
- Control: Full access to configuration, updates, and integrations.
- Cost: Avoid recurring subscription fees for SaaS products.
- Customization: Tailor services to your exact needs.
- Learning: Gain hands-on experience with networking, security, and system administration.
🛠️ Common Self-Hosted Services
- File Storage & Sync: Nextcloud, Syncthing, Seafile
- Media Servers: Plex, Jellyfin, Emby
- Backup Solutions: Borg, Duplicati, Restic
- Home Automation: Home Assistant, Domoticz
- Password Managers: Bitwarden (self-hosted), Vaultwarden
- Git Hosting: Gitea, GitLab CE
- Web Hosting: Nginx, Apache, Caddy
- Wikis & Notes: Wiki.js, BookStack, Joplin Server
- Monitoring: Grafana, Prometheus, Zabbix
- VPN & Networking: OpenVPN, WireGuard, Pi-hole
⚙️ Typical Self-Hosting Platforms
- Dedicated Servers: Physical machines in your home or data center.
- NAS Devices: Synology, QNAP, TrueNAS for storage and apps.
- Single-Board Computers: Raspberry Pi, Odroid, etc.
- Virtual Machines & Containers: Proxmox, VMware, Docker, Kubernetes.
🔒 Security Considerations
- Keep software and OS up to date.
- Use strong passwords and enable 2FA where possible.
- Restrict external access (VPN, firewalls, reverse proxies).
- Regularly back up data and configurations.
- Monitor logs and system health.