How to Start Your First Homelab 💻 (Linux + Docker), by GG_Sheed on YouTube. 1 min 5 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 5 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Pick a spare machine with at least 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Back up any files you want to keep, then plan to wipe the drive completely.
Download a Linux server ISO such as Ubuntu Server LTS or Debian. Write it to a USB stick with a tool like Rufus or balenaEtcher.
Boot the machine from the USB stick and run the installer. Set a username, a strong password and a fixed IP address on your network.
Log in and update the system with sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade. Install OpenSSH so you can manage it from another computer.
Install Docker Engine and the Docker Compose plugin from Docker's official repository. Check both work by running docker --version.
Make a folder for each app's data, such as /srv/pihole or /srv/jellyfin. Keep a docker-compose.yml file in each folder so you can rebuild the app later.
Start with one app. Pi-hole blocks ads across your network, Jellyfin streams your own media, and Home Assistant runs smart home devices.
Open a browser on another device and go to the server's IP address with the app's port. Finish the setup wizard there.
Set the machine to boot without a login prompt and turn on automatic security updates. Copy your config folders to a backup drive weekly.
Tips and common mistakes
If you use a laptop, change the lid-close setting so it keeps running with the screen shut.
Plug in an Ethernet cable for a stable connection instead of relying on Wi-Fi.
Do not forward ports to the internet. Use a VPN such as WireGuard to reach your apps from outside.
Unplug the power and battery before opening the case to clean or swap a drive.
Questions
Do I need a real server?
No. An old laptop or mini PC handles Pi-hole, Jellyfin and Home Assistant easily. Move to dedicated hardware only when you run out of memory or storage.
Which Linux should I choose?
Ubuntu Server LTS or Debian are the safest picks. Both have long support and the most guides for Docker and self-hosted apps.
Can I still use the machine as a normal computer?
Yes, but a desktop install is simpler for that. A server install runs without a graphical desktop, which saves memory for your apps.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
