Attribution: This article was based on content by @awesome-selfhosted on GitHub.
Original: https://github.com/awesome-selfhosted/awesome-selfhosted
Comprehensive Guide to Running Self-Hosted Services at Home
Introduction
Self-hosting is a powerful way to take control of your digital life, allowing you to run applications and services from the comfort of your own home. With a variety of free software options available, you can create a tailored environment that meets your needs. This guide will provide a reference architecture for running self-hosted services, compare credible options across various categories, and outline a minimal viable setup with a clear growth path.
Key Takeaways
- Self-hosting empowers you to manage your services, enhancing privacy and control.
- A reverse proxy is essential for managing traffic and securing your applications.
- Orchestration tools simplify the management of containers but vary in complexity.
- Monitoring and backup solutions are crucial for maintaining service reliability.
- Growth paths allow for scaling from a simple setup to a more complex environment.
Reference Architecture
Below is an ASCII diagram illustrating a basic architecture for a self-hosted environment:
Internet
|
+-------------+
| Reverse Proxy| (e.g., Traefik, Caddy)
+-------------+
|
+--------+--------+
| | |
+---------+ +---------+ +---------+
| App 1 | | App 2 | | App 3 |
| (Media) | | (Docs) | | (Home |
| (Jellyfin)| | (Wiki.js)| | Assistant) |
+---------+ +---------+ +---------+
| | |
+---------------------+
| Authentication / |
| SSO (e.g., Authelia)|
+---------------------+
|
+---------------------+
| Storage |
| (e.g., TrueNAS) |
+---------------------+
|
+---------------------+
| Monitoring & |
| Logs (e.g., |
| Prometheus) |
+---------------------+
Getting Started
Minimal Viable Setup
To get started with a simple self-hosted setup, you can use Docker and Docker Compose to manage your containers. Below is an example docker-compose.yml file that sets up a reverse proxy using Traefik and a basic web application.
| |
To deploy this setup, save the above configuration in a file named docker-compose.yml, and run the following command in the same directory:
| |
This will start Traefik and an Nginx server. Make sure to replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain name.
Key Categories
1. Reverse Proxy / Ingress
Options:
Traefik: A modern reverse proxy that integrates seamlessly with Docker. It offers automatic SSL certificate management and dynamic service discovery.
- Pros: Easy to set up, supports Let’s Encrypt, and integrates well with containerized environments.
- Cons: Can be overkill for very simple setups.
Caddy: A web server that automatically manages HTTPS for your sites.
- Pros: Simple configuration, automatic HTTPS, and good performance.
- Cons: Limited community support compared to Nginx.
Nginx Proxy Manager: A web interface for managing Nginx reverse proxy configurations.
- Pros: User-friendly interface, supports SSL, and easy to manage multiple hosts.
- Cons: Limited flexibility compared to raw Nginx configurations.
2. Authentication and SSO
Options:
Authelia: An open-source authentication and authorization server.
- Pros: Supports 2FA, integrates with multiple services, and provides a robust security model.
- Cons: More complex to set up compared to simpler solutions.
Authentik: A modern identity provider that supports SSO and 2FA.
- Pros: Easy to use, supports a wide range of protocols, and has a clean UI.
- Cons: Still in active development, which may introduce instability.
OAuth2-Proxy: A reverse proxy that provides authentication using OAuth2.
- Pros: Lightweight, easy to set up, and integrates well with various OAuth providers.
- Cons: Limited to OAuth2, which may not suit all use cases.
3. Orchestration
Options:
Docker Compose: A tool for defining and running multi-container Docker applications.
- Pros: Simple syntax, easy to learn, and great for small setups.
- Cons: Not suitable for large-scale deployments.
Portainer: A web-based management UI for Docker.
- Pros: User-friendly and provides a visual overview of your containers.
- Cons: Adds an additional layer of complexity.
Kubernetes (K8s): A powerful orchestration tool for managing containerized applications at scale.
- Pros: Highly scalable and robust for large applications.
- Cons: Steep learning curve and overkill for small setups.
4. Storage + Backups
Options:
TrueNAS: A powerful NAS solution with ZFS support.
- Pros: Excellent data protection, snapshots, and easy management.
- Cons: Requires dedicated hardware and setup time.
ZFS Snapshots: A filesystem that provides high data integrity and backup capabilities.
- Pros: Efficient storage, data recovery, and snapshots.
- Cons: Requires understanding of ZFS concepts.
Restic: A fast, secure backup program that supports various backends.
- Pros: Easy to use, efficient deduplication, and supports multiple storage backends.
- Cons: Requires manual setup and configuration.
5. Monitoring + Logs
Options:
Prometheus: A powerful monitoring system and time series database.
- Pros: Excellent for metrics collection, alerting, and visualization.
- Cons: Can be complex to set up initially.
Loki: A log aggregation system designed to work with Grafana.
- Pros: Simple to use, integrates seamlessly with Grafana.
- Cons: Limited querying capabilities compared to traditional logging solutions.
Uptime-Kuma: A self-hosted status monitoring solution.
- Pros: User-friendly interface, supports multiple protocols.
- Cons: Limited to uptime monitoring.
6. Remote Access
Options:
WireGuard: A modern VPN that is simple and fast.
- Pros: Lightweight, secure, and easy to configure.
- Cons: Limited GUI support for management.
Tailscale: A zero-config VPN that uses WireGuard under the hood.
- Pros: Extremely easy to set up, works across devices.
- Cons: Relies on a central server for coordination.
7. Example Applications
Media: Jellyfin
Jellyfin is an open-source media server that allows you to organize and stream your personal media collection. Its popularity stems from its user-friendly interface and extensive customization options.
Home Automation: Home Assistant
Home Assistant is a powerful platform for home automation that integrates with a myriad of devices and services. Its flexibility and community support make it a top choice for smart home enthusiasts.
Documentation: Wiki.js
Wiki.js is a modern and powerful wiki software that allows you to create and manage documentation easily. Its rich features and user-friendly interface make it ideal for personal or team documentation.
Growth Path
Starting with a minimal setup, you can gradually expand your self-hosted environment by adding more services, integrating additional tools, and scaling your infrastructure. Here’s a suggested growth path:
- Start Small: Begin with a reverse proxy (like Traefik) and a single application (e.g., Jellyfin).
- Add Monitoring: Implement a monitoring solution (like Prometheus) to keep track of your services.
- Enhance Security: Introduce an authentication layer (like Authelia) to secure your applications.
- Expand Storage: Incorporate a dedicated storage solution (like TrueNAS) for better data management.
- Scale Up: Transition to orchestration tools (like Kubernetes) as your needs grow.
Conclusion
Self-hosting can provide greater control over your digital services, enhance privacy, and save costs. By carefully selecting the right tools and following a structured approach, you can create a robust home server environment that meets your needs. This guide serves as a starting point, but the possibilities are vast as you explore the wealth of self-hosted applications available.
Credit: This guide is inspired by the Awesome Self-Hosted list, which provides a comprehensive collection of free software network services and web applications for self-hosting.