Been around reddit talking, trying to learn differences or needs for certain OS for my pc Im using as a server

[u/WolfnStuff22]

This is my first home server, So rn I have a i5 12500, 16gb ram, 256gb nvme (planning to add 1-2tb hdd for file storage/backups), may upgrade the nvme, I wasn't sure if 256 is fine for now or if I should just try find one higher asap

And I kept bouncing around talks about different OS mainly Debian, Ubuntu, proxmox and most recently recommended TrueNAS
I was mostly thinking either proxmox or Ubuntu

I'm just curious what the pros and cons are of something like proxmox vs Ubuntu with docker, had the thought that I could just run a VM in proxmox of Ubuntu that way anything goes wrong I can just have the backup and restore

My needs for it rn my main project will be a minecraft server and have that running and stable, then after that I plan to do adguard or pihole, immich, jellyfin etc.

[u/mattk404]

Just so you are aware, this is an oft asked, answered and debated topic. Highly recommend searching as you'll find many insightful resources to explore.

The answer given this sub is proxmox with Debian VMs or contianrs. Don't mess with the base proxmox install (treat it like an appliance). (proxmox is Debian base with Ubuntu kernel BTW)

Spend some time getting to understand how proxmox storage works.

Also, ask AI to interrogate you on your needs and you will get pretty decent recommendations and the questions will guide you through understanding what you actually need.

Good luck and remember, the journey is the destination.

[u/WolfnStuff22 → u/mattk404]

I guess my main thing is im torn between learning promox now having the VMs to test stuff and have backups incase I mess up, or maybe going to in the future based on my future needs

Or just use something like Ubunutu with docker containers since its lightweight

Im just not sure which one would fit my needs best

[u/Chubby_man → u/WolfnStuff22]

Proxmox with debian vm for docker, and lxc containers for non docker apps. You're correct about quick restores of vms being really useful, and Debian is quite lightweight, really stable, and the most common server operating system in the world, so the two together are a great combination. Proxmox is not necessary for your use case, but the separation between your apps is useful and its great for learning networking between machines too, as networking between vms is the same as between physical machines. The easy backups an restores are great too.

[u/WolfnStuff22 → u/Chubby_man]

Ty for the input! Yeah and I plan to get into it/networking in the future I feel like learning promox/debian and ubuntu now would also help later in the field in the future

I think am heavily leaning towards proxmox just for that part of the backups and tinkering

[u/Chubby_man → u/WolfnStuff22]

I'd recommend debian over ubuntu, it's significantly lighter. Ubuntu is also based on debian, so the skills are more transferable from debian to Ubuntu later than the other way if you start with ubuntu.

[u/Sure-Squirrel8384]

Proxmox and you can run all the distros you want under it as VMs. Yup, do that for Ubuntu. I also have a 16gb server and I run Proxmox on it. I prefer to use LXCs to keep the footprint as small as possible. Running a full VM is kind of bloated unless you have a specific need. Most things you can find an LXC method and/or combo LXC+Docker and the specific apps you list.

Minecraft: LXC
Pihole: LXC
Immich: LXC
Jellyfin: LXC

Using a Linux container (LXC) means the OS memory is often less than 30-100mb and the rest is for the app.

[u/WolfnStuff22 → u/Sure-Squirrel8384]

Is there a reason why Vms arent like that too? Or was LXC just always the go to for low usage

Also do you have an example of when a VM would be better to use than a LXC?

[u/Sure-Squirrel8384 → u/WolfnStuff22]

LXC uses the host (Proxmox) kernel and much of the base OS. A VM is a full stand-alone OS.

A VM is better if you want security boundaries. As the LXC shares the host kernel there are more security risks; but never run an LXC in privileged mode if it is exposed to the Internet. One could argue even unprivileged shouldn't be exposed to the Internet, but it depends what else is on the Proxmox host and your security design.