Recommended server operating systems and software options Server OS and software recommendations
Recommended server operating systems and software options Server OS and software recommendations
Hello everyone, I recently set up a custom server and need advice on the operating system and software. I'm swapping my QNAP for this setup and have these requirements: File storage options (cloud access like Nextcloud?), network access for both Windows and Mac, running Docker wherever possible, centralized user management – it's important to me. I particularly enjoy creating a user on my QNAP that can log into the web, SSH, and network shares. For storage, I'd like a web interface; I've considered Truenas Scale and Ubuntu Server so far. I prefer Truenas but found its Docker setup confusing for adding apps and lacking an authentication server for other tools. Ubuntu Server seemed solid, though I ran into issues with centralized auth, especially when trying to sync users in Samba against a freeIPA installation. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I don’t have any background with an authentication server, so I’m unable to assist with that. What I aimed to convey was that it’s best to steer clear of TrueNAS Scale until it moves out of Beta. Issues on your NAS can be frustrating, so a more reliable platform like TrueNAS Core might be a better choice. TrueNAS Core performs exceptionally well, offering strong stability and straightforward user management. You can set up users and permissions in one place, then adjust storage access in another while editing ACLs. The main drawback would be that it uses Jails instead of Docker containers. Jails function similarly to Docker but run on FreeBSD. While there are methods to run Docker on TrueNAS Core—such as using a dedicated VM or an Ubuntu server virtualized within TrueNAS—migrating later is possible if you decide to proceed.
I'll keep it out of beta, but how about unraid? It's straightforward to use and works well with Docker. What storage capacity do you require? If not, you can run Proxmox instead. Consider ZFS for storage and create VMs as needed.
This method allows managing user access and logins for most systems. It's a Linux feature that simplifies permission settings.
There isn't a single fix that tackles every problem, but you can build a solution that fits your needs. Personally, I run Rhel 8 with SMB shares set up through the command line. You could set up virtual machines and route hard drives to ZFS, opting for Podman instead of Docker for better compatibility. If you prefer staying within the Rhel environment, Proxmox is an option, though it's more focused on VMs. TechnoTim on YouTube offers many helpful videos and supports ZFS right out of the box. I deploy Nextcloud, PiHole, Gitea, NGINX, and Transmission as containers, using TPLink’s cloud access for dynamic DNS so I can reach my server online.
The information I overlooked was why I didn't choose unraid—it's because my server needs a Wi-Fi card right now. Does Truespan Core support Wi-Fi? Probably not directly; the only missing part for a custom OS is Samba authentication. Can OpenLDAP handle Samba login? Yes, it can. For sharing folders to a Windows client, there are other methods beyond what was mentioned.
What model is the Wi-Fi card? Kernel versions often determine Wi-Fi compatibility more than distribution support. Unraid using slackaware likely relies on the 4.4 kernel, which explains many Wi-Fi problems. Consider trying a Debian Stable nonfree live CD to test; if it works, you can try Truenas Scale or CentOS similarly.