Although there are many articles online about NAS and home servers, most focus on hardware choices and vendor-customized software experiences.
Many friends spend a lot of time and effort setting up their NAS after purchasing it, only to find that the actual experience is average, even less satisfying than directly using services from large companies, ultimately using it just for backups or watching shows.
Therefore, I want to share my practical experience with home servers over the past few years in a more relaxed manner, to see how to truly unleash their value.
Key Points of This Article
I will showcase the applications of home servers in real life by combining specific use cases.
You will see the following content:
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• Overview of my self-hosted home server services
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• How to optimize the user experience using different terminal software
You will not see the following content:
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• Selection and setup of server hardware
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• Detailed deployment methods for specific services
What Have I Done with My Home Server?
Home servers are versatile and can cover the following types of needs:
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• File storage and synchronization (BT/PT downloads, backups)
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• Multimedia management (movies, music, e-books)
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• Smart home and automation control
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• Private servers (games, personal websites)
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• Network services (soft routing, traffic management)
Next, I will introduce the services I have deployed in detail, covering storage and synchronization, RSS, multimedia, automation, and monitoring.
Storage and Synchronization
The main storage and synchronization tasks that my home server needs to handle include the following:
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1. Note Management: Using Obsidian to record and manage notes in Markdown format, achieving real-time synchronization across devices with Resilio Sync.
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2. Research Literature Management: Managing PDF literature with Zotero, supporting cross-device synchronization for easy citation and management.
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3. Password Management: Using Bitwarden for secure password storage and auto-fill, supporting the automatic generation of complex passwords.
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4. Photo Backup: Automatically backing up photos from phones and cameras through Immich, perfectly solving the problem of photos being scattered across different devices.
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5. Screenshot Synchronization: Monitoring the phone’s screenshot folder with Resilio Sync, achieving real-time synchronization to the server and other devices.
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6. Work File Management: Backing up and synchronizing various work files through Nextcloud, supporting version control, online editing, file sharing, and more.
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7. Temporary File Transfer: Using MicroBin for quick sharing of text and files, supporting a self-destruct feature for easy handling of temporary file transfers.
Most of these services are free and open-source, running seamlessly across different devices, enhancing the user experience. For example, the combination of Obsidian and Resilio allows notes to be synchronized and updated anytime, anywhere.
Multimedia Management
For multimedia management, I mainly use Plex and Roon:
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• Plex is used for managing and playing video resources, supporting clients across all platforms for a smooth experience.
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• Roon is used for music management and playback. Although it is not cheap, it is very powerful, especially suitable for music enthusiasts. In addition to the local music library, it can also access streaming services like Qobuz and Tidal.
For resource acquisition, I use Tubesync to download YouTube videos, rtorrent to download BT/PT resources, and pyncm to fetch music from NetEase Cloud.
Automation and Monitoring
For automation, I mainly use n8n and Node-RED, both of which are low-code automation platforms. They can link various devices and services to achieve intelligent automation. For example:
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• I integrated electric curtains with HomeAssistant to achieve scheduled opening and closing and voice control.
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• Smart home devices can automatically adjust based on weather and time, such as automatically raising the air conditioning temperature or switching lighting scenes.
With these tools, I can easily control and monitor devices in my home. For monitoring, I use Dashy to create a navigation page, and a WeChat bot is responsible for pushing alerts for abnormal statuses. I can also use Gotify for message notifications.
Other Applications
In addition to the core functions mentioned above, I have also deployed many auxiliary tools to enhance daily management and work efficiency:
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• Grocy: Family grocery and item management, supporting item check-in/check-out, expiration reminders, recipe management, etc., helping household management to be more efficient.
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• Apitable: A self-hosted multidimensional spreadsheet tool that can be used for project data management and can integrate with automation systems.
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• ChatGPT Web: I built my own ChatGPT webpage for easy access to AI functions at any time.
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• Gitea: A lightweight DevOps platform for code management and collaboration.
These tools help me maintain efficient management in work and life, bringing great convenience.
Conclusion
Through my years of practice with home servers, I have found that they are not just storage and backup tools but can greatly optimize the living experience. From file synchronization and password management to automated home control and multimedia management, home servers can make life smarter and more comfortable. If you have similar needs, consider starting with simple functions, such as file backups or multimedia management, and gradually explore their powerful potential.