I built my first PC in 2017 with the help of a friend. Prior to that I was not the most technical person, and I would argue I still am not, kind of the whole point of making this blog. But that previous computer knowledge did help me get up and running faster. If you have not built a computer before don't worry, I will provide some useful resources in this post along with options that would allow you to maybe even repurpose a laptop that is sitting in your closet.

But you may ask why go through the trouble?

My goal was to free myself from dependency on big corporations and take back some control over my family's data while also saving money along the way. I firmly believe this is an obtainable goal for anyone who is motivated.

Now just to be clear - what this post is not. This is not an in-depth technical review or a step-by-step guide. My aim is to share my hurdles and successes proving that an average person can accomplish the same.

Hardware

The word Server probably instills a sense of intimidation to most unfamiliar, but I am here to tell you it literally just a computer. Yes there are differences when you get deeper in, but at a base level it is just a computer. The best thing about most server related needs for the average user can run on very low power hardware. This is great news for extending the useable life of computers!

So either you can build your own pc build a pc by linus tech tips or you can grab that Dell Inspiron that you have been telling yourself that you were going to list on Facebook marketplace for the last 3 years.

What OS to Run?

So just like your phone or Windows/Mac based computers - your server needs an operating system. Think of it as the thoughts the computer has, this is what allows you to interface with the computer, install apps, browse the web, change settings etc. Now probably the largest obstacle to overcome for a new user is going to be which operating system to run on your server, because sadly Windows & Mac OS are not great home server platforms. They are resource hungry and not built with the purpose of running 24/7 like you will want.

This is where Casa OS comes in - simply put Casa OS is a more GUI (Graphic User Interface) focused OS that runs on top of Ubuntu, which is one of the oldest most stable Linux distributions of all time.

Casa OS is going to look familiar to anyone that has used a smart phone or been in a file manager whether that be Mac or Windows.

One of the strengths of Casa OS for new users is their app store - it is a store that allows users to do one click installs of docker containers(think of docker as an app for now). that will get you up and running in minutes not days.

CasaOS dashboard interface showing system status, apps, and file management

Like I said, this post is not a replacement for a step-by-step guide but instead my goal is to point you where to go. I found TechHut's video helpful when I was just getting started. The creator explains some basic knowledge on how to access your server via SSH and gets you through the install process.

I was shocked at how straightforward the install was, and honestly how easier things were to do through the terminal once I knew which commands to use.

Now that Casa OS is up and running take the time to write down your server's local IP, this will be how you access via terminal and how you can use your browser to access the nice GUI that is Casa OS in your browser.

Now the fun begins, the world is indeed your oyster when it comes to self hosting. Want to replace cloud services that you're paying for? Check. Want to be more in control of your own data? Check. Are you wanting to further your knowledge and create a real world scenario where you can learn and earn true experience in IT? Check. Self hosting is a wide and DEEP pool. It's up to you on how deep you want to dip your toes.

For now that is where I want to leave it, I am finding more and more things that peak my interest now. This has become a hobby of mine, that also has its benefits in some data privacy and cost saving measures. It may seem intimidating but if I can do it, so can you!

Tyler signing off.