linux4noobs

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linux4noobs

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Whether you're a seasoned pro or the noobiest of noobs, you've found the right place for Linux support and information. With a dedication to supporting free and open source software, this community aims to ensure Linux fits your needs and works for you. From troubleshooting to tutorials, practical tips, news and more, all aspects of Linux are warmly welcomed. Join a community of like-minded enthusiasts and professionals driving Linux's ongoing evolution.

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PlutoParty@programming.dev

Recommend a distro for a just-works NAS/self hosting machine? (programming.dev)

submitted 2 months ago by CodeMonkey@programming.dev to c/linux4noobs@programming.dev

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I am looking to build a machine to use for file backups and some light media serving (PhotoPrism, Calibre, and the like). My plan is to take a retired desktop, throw in every old drive I have lying around, and merge them with Greyhole.

I am a seasoned Linux user (in containers or on machines being managed by others). I am comfortable with CLI basics and should be able to use the system entirely over SSH and web UIs, so I am fine without a window manager. What I am not fine with is system administration (and do not want to spend time fixing issues that constantly pop-up).

Ideally, I would want to find a distro that I can install by accepting reasonable defaults, configure my storage and my various applications, create a cron job to periodically update packages and reboot the machine, and the machine will just keep working with no intervention on my part. I realize that that is an impossible goal, but I want to get as close as I can.

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[–] johannes@lemmy.jhjacobs.nl 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Alpine Linux has been my go to OS for things like servers and NAS's. Its small, rock stable, and can run on basically anything thay has a floppydrive ;-)

[–] CodeMonkey@programming.dev 2 points 2 months ago

I have used Alpine Linux at work and I don't like the fact that they only have one version of each package in their repo. First of all, that creates a risk that a given version is bad and I cannot go back to a known good version. Also, some times I explicitly want to use an old version of a package. New versions change and remove features.