Custom home server built from spare parts

47 points21 comments7 hours ago
drnick1

> So the NAS runs Kubuntu 24.04 with ZFS

My experience is similar. I no longer use dedicated NAS, firewall, or other exotic distributions. I run plain Debian, and add what I need through standard repo packages. My "NAS" is simply a Samba daemon. The same box runs countless other services including hostapd (WiFi), DNS (Unbound), an email stack (Postfix/Dovecot), multiple game servers, and Podman.

> everything else in Docker Compose

I would suggest Podman instead. It is far more secure by design (rootless) and is unable to silently alter the firewall's configuration.

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MayeulC

I am most interested in that DC power supply. I bought a similar one recently (rgeek brand on aliexpress), but haven't yet dared to connect it yet.

I'm wondering what:

- the failure mode is if it can't provide enough current.

- How to properly test it under a fake load

- If these tiny power cables can really handle 150 W (this is 12 A at 12V). I don't have such a powerful 12V PSU, so I am thinking about adding capacitors to handle transients.

I imagine that it is really built to handle transient peaks to 150 W, with a more reasonable baseline.

Anyway, if anyone knows a good knowledge source for these PSU, I'd be interested.

My initial motication for going with these was:

- hopefully increase my PSU efficiency

- less cable clutter

- hopefully power it from a small DC UPS (there are plenty of "router" UPS sold on the market, though the power rating is a bit low, 18-36 W usually).

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classictraffic

That tiny touchscreen that shows metrics was an extremely nice touch. Fascinating read!

mrlonglong

Beware, Ubuntu are dropping ZFS. That's something that's annoyed me as that's now ruled out future upgrades

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yjftsjthsd-h

> So the NAS runs Kubuntu 24.04 with ZFS,

I broadly approve, but why Kubuntu? Isn't it headless?

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dsk82

Nice custom job, I use my old hardware too, it’s the perfect use case providing it’s relatively power efficient.

Not sure why they claim to have written the dashboard themselves though. It’s clearly vibe-coded, I did that too and mine is almost identical.

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crtasm

On the wifi requirement I just noticed unraid has added wifi support

bot403

Hmmm. Only fans Linux service running?

ghostly_s

I've noticed 3d printing people have this annoying habit of posting pics of their projects in just low enough res that you can't assess what the surface finish actually looks like. From what I can tell this "pebbled" finish looks uncommonly nice, I wonder if that's a byproduct of the glass fiber material or some post-processing.

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whalesalad

This is great. I also avoid stuff like TrueNAS or Unraid and opt to simply run my own ZFS and smb/nfs/etc configuration. Love the unifi-style display... I am cooking something similar but it is not a touchscreen just a blue-on-black OLED that cycles through status pages. You've inspired me to finally write a post on my own setup.

mindslight

Re names, I like "homeprod". The main goal isn't to experiment and learn, and you're not scrapping to get a pair of Cisco 2501's to study for your CCNA. Rather the main goal is providing services that support your family's larger existence, independent of the surveillance industry - the tinkering is an (unfortunately necessary) side effect.

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