Hi everyone,
I’m just getting started in the world of selfhosting and wanted some advice.
I’m currently using a 2015 MacBook Pro (i7 with 16gb of RAM) running Sonoma as a small Jellyfin Server. I’ve got an externally powered 4TB HDD connected for media storage. It’s been going fine, and I use it to access Jellyfin on several devices across my house, I don’t have remote access set up.
I’m planning to move home in the next year and I’m thinking about long-term solutions which will allow me to self host more than just Jellyfin, so I wanted some advice. I have some experience using Linux on laptops, and I can troubleshoot networking stuff using ChatGPT. I don’t work in IT/ software but I’m a decent end-user.
Here’s what I’d like to self-host: More robust Jellyfin setup - I’d like access to my media outside of my home, so probably using tailscale or similar. An NAS with a cloud storage solution which will eventually allow me to move away from iCloud. Home security server - a small setup, I’m thinking 2 ip cameras and easy access to footage on my phone. I want to ditch ring for multiple reasons / don’t want to rely on a subscription service. A pi-hole to block adds across my home network.
Moving home is going to be expensive so I’m not trying to spend a tonne of money. Which leads me to ask. What kind of setup would you guys recommend I invest in? I can spend about €500-600. Ideally, I’d like to be at a point where everything I run is open source. I assume I can’t expect to scale up using my 2015 MacBook Pro? Is is possible to install something like proxmox on these machines? my other option would be a small mini pc, perhaps running proxmox. Do I need to buy a dedicated NAS in your opinion? I have 10tb in external hdds that could serve as a makeshift setup.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Macbook Pro should work fine. Buy extra PCs if you it's not enough for you. Also, I recommend buying a domain from a legit provider
If they are using ChatGPT to "solve" networking issues, then it is probably better to never expose the network to the outside 🫠
I should definitely play it relatively safe when it comes to this stuff. But I do think that, in lieu of formal training in networking, LLMs can be useful in the hands of someone who is cautious and responsible. I’m an adult with a full time job and other responsibilities, I don’t have the time or the inclination to take a course on networking. So, I’m strictly a hobbyist when it comes to this stuff, but I’m also not an idiot who thinks ChatGPT can magically solve any problems I throw at it.
The problem is that ChatGPT lies all the time. You are better off researching technical question the regular way, at least it is rare that people just make up false answers if they don't know.
This is very true to be fair, I’ve noticed it hallucinating multiple times. Critical thinking should be taught in schools, I feel like kids growing up with LLMs are taking way too much of it what they say at face-value. Interrogation and reflection is a must. For me, I use it as a shortcut to gain a base-level of knowledge, I only tinker when I’m sure I have the right information and won’t mess anything up.