Choose a suitable OS for your home server setup.
Choose a suitable OS for your home server setup.
You have a Dell PowerEdge 2950 and need to decide between Windows Server 2016 or Ubuntu for your home server. You're considering getting it free with Microsoft Imagine and have some Ubuntu experience from about two years ago. Your plans include running Storage Server Plex Media Server and possibly a game server later. What would you prefer?
I’d look for an older version of Windows 2003 R2, which should work well enough for your needs without the complications of activations or updates. There’s no need for Windows Server 2016 if the hardware isn’t up to date, as it wouldn’t offer any new features you’d actually use.
I would recommend Ubuntu Server, particularly with two years of experience. It simplifies future upgrades and reduces overall troubleshooting. Opinion.
I've been running Ubuntu as my Plex/storage server for nearly two years. It's open-source, efficient, and works well even on older hardware. The support should remain solid as long as you keep updating to newer versions every few years. I haven't touched Windows Server before.
I’m considering this since the cost is quite steep and I already have it for free—taking advantage of the deal would make sense. Yet, if Ubuntu is superior, it might be worth using that instead.
Set up the Ubuntu Server and then add Docker. Visit Docker Hub and begin testing. Exciting work! This is exactly what I'm doing at home. I also have a Google Kubernetes Container Cloud available, allowing me to spin up virtual machines whenever needed and run almost anything.