this post was submitted on 08 Jun 2023
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The thing about docker is, you can set it up with all your data mounted into a folder in your home directory. So, for instance, ~/docker/jellyfin/data, and your docker compose file for jellyfin is in the jellyfin folder. So if you want to move it to a different system, you just rsync the folder over and run docker-compose up and it's done. Also, backups are super simple, because you just stop the container, rsync (or Borg or duplicati, restic... whatever) your container's folder over. Of your server gets completely trashed, you just restore your backup to another computer and you're good. Usually the better maintained projects are even architecture aware, so you can move from Intel to arm or whatever. It's totally worth learning.
Okay. Awesome. I was seriously thinking about getting NAS or a specialized media box like an NVIDIA Shield or Dune HD, but I have plenty of older computers that can do the job, so it seems like a waste. I have Rokus that handle video playback, so I just need to set up streaming.
I do need to get better at backing up! My computer has like, 250 GB SSD and a TB HDD I never mount, but definitely need to use for offloading all my data. Just downloading a few games really eats up my disk space. Need to get that sorted out too.
Damn I am so lazy with computers.
I used a really old laptop with a bunch of USB disks for quite a while. Then I made a naskiller 4, and it was super easy to migrate because I used docker for everything. I'd recommend searching up the nasskiller builds whenever you do want a NAS. They price everything out and tell you exactly what you need and what options you have, and it emphasizes getting used hardware off eBay for cheap.
Backing up is always a challenge. I'd suggest looking into duplicati, because it's super easy for servers and desktops.
Nice! Thanks for the tip. They get so expensive.
I believe in used hardware. Most of my computers I inherited or got at flea markets, yard sales, and thrift stores. Ebay is no different, and probably significantly better if refurbished.
Oh yeah. I love old hardware. I'm hesitant to use desktops as servers anymore because of the power they use, but laptops in particular are great. You can get an old Dell for next to nothing and replacing their batteries is super cheap. It has its own battery backup. I even got a USB 3 card for mine. Used it for several years and when I went to migrate to my nas I found out the LCD had gone dead. Hadn't noticed or cared.
That is actually a good point. I was considering getting a couple of UPS for my main computer and server, but a laptop would do the job. I should pick one up anyways.
Yeah, power consumption sucks. I do not want to contribute to the waste culture, but I also don't want to overspend on resources.
It's definitely a balancing act.