The original post: /r/homelab by /u/StillInUk on 2025-03-11 14:57:04.

I have been using a home server for an extended period, primarily for providing services to myself and my family rather than engaging in a home lab experience. My primary objectives include hosting Nextcloud, a photo gallery, Plex, a home assistant, various homebrew projects, and managing the log management solution offered by my workplace. My home servers have consistently been configured with Linux and a range of applications installed on them.

It is time to upgrade the hardware, operating system, and applications on my next home server. However, I am uncertain about the appropriate path to take. This time, I prioritise a system that operates seamlessly without requiring significant effort. While the current approach has been functional, the intricate dependencies have prevented me from upgrading my system for several years.

Data security is of paramount importance, as I am concerned about losing my family’s photographs, scanned slides, ripped CDs (don’t want to do that again). Consequently, my servers have utilised ECC RAM and ZFS for years.

Based on these considerations, I have outlined my thoughts on the next system:

Linux and KVM for Virtual Machines: I intend to utilise Linux and KVM to create virtual machines (VMs). I would like to install a web UI overlay, such as Cloudmin, Cockpit, or Houston UI, to manage the VMs. This approach aligns with my previous setup, but I would separate the various services into distinct VMs. I have successfully implemented this approach on a test server and am familiar with the process.

Pros: Flexibility

Cons: Complexity

Truenas: Truenas offers a more plug-and-play approach, as several of the services I currently use are available as “apps.” This makes it relatively straightforward to set up and manage the system. For services not available as apps, I can install and run them in separate VMs. I have been using Truenas on a test server for a week and am relatively satisfied with its ease of use.

Cons: Limited flexibility, particularly in terms of VM creation options. I have only created two VMs so far.

Proxmox: I should potentially consider Proxmox, although I have not had the opportunity to try it myself. Based on my understanding, it appears to be an overkill for my specific requirements.