If you are performing a demo for your HomeServer on a cloud-based VPS, then you can skip this step. The following instructions are for purchasing and setting up your equipment at home.
When purchasing your equipment, the main factor to consider is how many active users you will have. For a typical home of around 4-6 users, here are some tips for an affordable setup:
Desktop 32GB RAM 1TB SSD as search phrase. Check the specifications of the unit to ensure they match, i.e. 32 GB RAM and 1TB SSD.1TB 2.5 inch SSD or 1TB M.2 SSD(if available on your server's motherboard) separately for backup. The 2.5 inch does not typically come with the necessary SATA cable, so make sure you pick up a few spare.Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is a MUST-have. A sudden power outage is extremely harmful to both the hardware and the software of a server. If the power goes out during the middle of a database write, it could render that entire service unusable. There are backup/recovery mechanisms to address this, but having this piece of equipment will avoid the headache of manual intervention. The majority of power outages are short-lived, ~ a few seconds. A UPS will automatically switch to battery and keep your server running on those occurrences. The battery will only keep the server running for a short period (could be only 5 minutes depending on total load, battery size, etc), so it is advisable in the event of a longer power outage to shut your server down gracefully if possible.wireless router, preferably with OpenWRT, is also recommended mainly for security purposes. If you directly use the modem/router provided by your internet service provider (ISP), then your provider has internal access to your private home network. A separate router daisy-chained in between will act as a natural firewall between the outside world (including your ISP) and your private home network.The Linux OS installation must be performed directly on the server machine with a keyboard, monitor, and network connection. If you do not have a monitor, you could temporarily use a TV via HDMI if your server machine has an HDMI port. After installing Linux OS, the machine can be accessed remotely over the private network, so the monitor (and keyboard) are no longer required after installing Linux. It is best to use a wired connection between your server machine and your router.
Here is a table that shows the expected costs for all necessary equipment, given current average market prices:
| Component | Suggested Brand/Model | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| HomeServer | Refurbished desktop/mini-pc (Dell,HP,Lenovo), 32GB RAM 1TB SSD | $200 |
| Backup SSD | New 1 TB (2.5 Inch or M.2) (Samsung,Crucial,Western Digital,Intel,Kingston,Sandisk,PNY) | $60 |
| Spare SATA cable(s) | Any | $5 |
| Spare Ethernet cable(s) | Any | $5 |
| Uninterruptible Power Supply | APC (BE425M is an inexpensive base model) | $65 |
| Wireless Router | Linksys,NetGear,GL.iNet | $50 |
| 8GB Flash Drive | Any | $5 |
| USB Keyboard | Any | $10 |
| Total Cost | ~$400 |
Once your equipment is set up and ready, perform the base Linux installation described in this tutorial.