What is This?

This is not a set of directions or a step-by-step guide to making your home server. Instead it's a brief overview for how I setup my home server including Installing our Operating System, Adding App Stores, Installing Tailscale, and Installing Containers.

Installing our Operating System

For this project I wanted a Linux based OS to run docker containers but wanted a light weight GUI. Thus I went with Debian and installed CasaOS on top of it for easy management.

Our first step was to create a bootable USB.

• Download Debian
• Download Rufus
• Use Rufus to flash USB stick with Debian image
  Then install Debian as your OS on your mini pc. During install you'll wan to ensure the following:
• Use Graphical Install
• Leave domain blank
• Leave the root password blank
• Add an admin user/password
• During software select uncheck everything but:
  • SSH Server
  • Standard system utilities

Once our system is up and running we want to install CasaOS by running the two commands below:
Install Curl

sudo apt update && sudo apt install curl -y

Install CasaOS

curl -fsSL https://get.casaos.io | sudo bash

Once this finishes make sure to copy the IP address of your server. From here you can now access your server remotely by going to the IP address in your internet browser.

Adding App Stores

By default you'll have access to the CasaOS app store and Big Bear app store. But there a few other sources you should add to get the most from the app store.

To add an app store source, you can click on the "+" on the left hand side, then select "add external link".
Linux Server Store

https://casaos-appstore.paodayag.dev/linuxserver.zip

Cool Store

https://casaos-appstore.paodayag.dev/coolstore.zip

TMC Community App Store

https://github.com/mariosemes/CasaOS-TMCstore/archive/refs/heads/main.zip

Home Automation

https://github.com/mr-manuel/CasaOS-HomeAutomation-AppStore/archive/refs/tags/latest.zip

Installing Tailscale

Tailscale is our main method of accessing our server when we're not connected to our local home network. This is a key feature so we can preform and quick fixes or work on things when we're away from home. You'll need to:

• Install Tailscale through the app store on your home server
• Create an account
• Install Tailsclae on your other devices (laptop, phone, etc.) and login
  You can now connect to your server with the IPv4 from Tailscale where ever you are. This step is important since we'll be going with Jellyfin as our media service.

Installing Containers

Here are the list of apps/containers I run on my home server. You'll install these from your App Store, but there are also links to their websites below.

• Tailscale (added in the previous section) - Remote access to your server from outside your home network
• n8n - Create workflows and automations in a simple GUI
• RomM - Store and categorize your video game roms, iso, and save files.
• Immich - Backup and organize your photos and videos from your phone
• Media Stack
  • Jellyfin - Media player service
  • Jellyseer - Allows users to request new media
  • Sonarr - Sort and organize your TV Shows
  • Radarr - Sort and organize your Movies
  • Bazarr - Find and organize subtitles for your TV Shows & Movies

More Tech Content

This page is full of information specifically for #Tech, you can also see the Tech Resources page or other pages tagged with #Tech for additional information.