Host a Debian web & email server at home with a dynamic IP.
Posted: 2019-09-13 08:26
This topic, which follows on from some of my previous topics, is intended mainly for forum members who are not familiar with the configuration of web servers, email servers and routers and who would like to learn, but of course, any comments from others who are familiar with such things will be more than welcome.
While most "Linux" users run a Gnome, KDE, Mate or other desktop system they don't run their own personal internet server complete with domain, blog, search engine (searx) and email in a similar way to running a desktop computer and aren't sure how to do this. So I'd like to encourage readers of this topic to consider doing so.
I think some old laptop or computer connected to your router via a wired Ethernet connection would be the way to go but a microprocessor like a raspberry pi (perhaps even a raspberry pi 0 for YunoHost) would be ideal, but not everyone has one. Naturally a desktop system could also double as a server but I haven't tried it. I've read in the past it might be inadvisable but this may not be the case today. Another very interesting option would be running it in VirtualBox.
Configuring the router (for another topic) can be slightly complicated if you haven't done it before. If this isn't done you find yourself contemplating "server not found" or blank screens, which is a bit of a pain.
There are many ways to set up your own server and I know from experience that doing it all manually is not exactly a walk in the park. However, here are two links about how to set up a personal home server running Debian which simplify the task very considerably:
1. FreedomBox. This is a pure Debian blend which adheres 100% to Debian policy. By the way, see Eben Moglen's talk on the story with its "dramatic" musical introduction, reminiscent of the spotlight in Batman.
2. YunoHost See also the Distrowatch review at YunoHost_Review
Note that it is not necessary to acquire either a domain, since both provide subdomains, or a static IP address because a dynamic IP address, once configured, will be automatically updated. So no expense is involved.
YunoHost, in addition to numerous other applications, will set up a fully-functional personal email system allowing you to send and receive mail on your own host while FreedomBox at present only provides the Roundcube interface for email set up elsewhere; they are, however, working on it!
Having tried both, I prefer the first option which, though currently providing fewer options, is fully compliant with Debian policy; however, YunoHost is based 100% on free & open source software.
If you prefer to use your own domain, be sure to get one from a company that provides a dynamic IP update option in their DNS configuration services; then you can configure the dynamic IP to be updated whenever it changes on the home server.
Thanks for reading & for any comments.
While most "Linux" users run a Gnome, KDE, Mate or other desktop system they don't run their own personal internet server complete with domain, blog, search engine (searx) and email in a similar way to running a desktop computer and aren't sure how to do this. So I'd like to encourage readers of this topic to consider doing so.
I think some old laptop or computer connected to your router via a wired Ethernet connection would be the way to go but a microprocessor like a raspberry pi (perhaps even a raspberry pi 0 for YunoHost) would be ideal, but not everyone has one. Naturally a desktop system could also double as a server but I haven't tried it. I've read in the past it might be inadvisable but this may not be the case today. Another very interesting option would be running it in VirtualBox.
Configuring the router (for another topic) can be slightly complicated if you haven't done it before. If this isn't done you find yourself contemplating "server not found" or blank screens, which is a bit of a pain.
There are many ways to set up your own server and I know from experience that doing it all manually is not exactly a walk in the park. However, here are two links about how to set up a personal home server running Debian which simplify the task very considerably:
1. FreedomBox. This is a pure Debian blend which adheres 100% to Debian policy. By the way, see Eben Moglen's talk on the story with its "dramatic" musical introduction, reminiscent of the spotlight in Batman.
2. YunoHost See also the Distrowatch review at YunoHost_Review
Note that it is not necessary to acquire either a domain, since both provide subdomains, or a static IP address because a dynamic IP address, once configured, will be automatically updated. So no expense is involved.
YunoHost, in addition to numerous other applications, will set up a fully-functional personal email system allowing you to send and receive mail on your own host while FreedomBox at present only provides the Roundcube interface for email set up elsewhere; they are, however, working on it!
Having tried both, I prefer the first option which, though currently providing fewer options, is fully compliant with Debian policy; however, YunoHost is based 100% on free & open source software.
If you prefer to use your own domain, be sure to get one from a company that provides a dynamic IP update option in their DNS configuration services; then you can configure the dynamic IP to be updated whenever it changes on the home server.
Thanks for reading & for any comments.