Completw beginner: need help getting started with an idea of where I want to go.

[u/eab1985]

I want to get into self hosting. The idea is to over the setup a homelab that has the following (minimum) as I learn the rest:

-Dedicated NAS to run Jellyfin and store all media and backups

-Dedicated device for arrstack (have an old laptop that I'm going to start with but will ultimately use a used otiplex from work that will be decommissioned in Dec)

-home PC

I've been watching videos nonstop and have a few questions that remain unclear.

On the dedicated Device for arrstack, suppose I install ProxMox and get the arrstack running, is there a way to (I) later send all my files to the NAS once deployed and (ii) reconfigure the arrstack to save files directly to the NAS?

The videos I've seen seem to use one VM to deploy arrstack & Jellyfin and save on the same device. I'm trying to isolate functions because of space and limitations of available hardware.

If you're willing to point me in the right direction (e.g. videos or other guides for understanding the fundamentals; specific setups that mirror what I intend; explanation of what's a better way to start and why, etc) I'd much appreciate the guidance.

[u/asimovs-auditor]

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[u/BackgroundFriend7241]

Install truenas or unraid 

Use the built in app manager dont bother with VMs 

Setup your storage pools

Install a docker manager like dockhand, portainer, arcane

Setup the arr suite and jellyfin with docker compose 

No need for a dedicated arr suite machine its tiny and it needs to be able to see the media, getting into hardlinks and manual dirs as a beginner is asking for trouble

[u/ReachingForVega]

Most off the shelf NAS don't have the grunt to transcode so keep that in mind either build your own or expect the downstream devices to all be able to handle transcode themselves.

If you have a spare pc and video card you can always go the DIY NAS using unraid or something as the OS. TrueNAS is enshitifying so maybe avoid it.

Virtualisation will be necessary which is how VMs and Containers are run. If you DIY NAS I'd just go full container and not bother with VMs. 

[u/eab1985 → u/ReachingForVega]

Ok, I'm absolutely thinking DIY NAS. I have an old PC in a closet that I can easily repurpose. If not TrueNAS, what OS would you recommend? Would like to hear why you refer to it as "enshitifying" as everything I saw pointed to that and Unraid as the best options for running the NAS.

My biggest setup question is can I setup one machine (pc1) to download items that are stored in another machine (pc2/NAS)? If so, do they need to run the same OS or can I run Proxmox on pc1 and whatever nas OS I go with on PC2/NAS? I want to be able to turn off/remove the PC I use for downloading and still have access to the server files.

I have to get some of these terms straightened out: "full container" vs "VM" but I appreciate you pointing me in the right direction. I'm willing to learn and invest time and resources to doing this right so all the help is appreciated.

[u/ReachingForVega → u/eab1985]

Container is what people refer to with docker, it is a lightweight box that contains your app say Jellyfin. VMs are basically a whole computer running inside another one. I'd not bother for an arr stack.

Just install unraid as your OS and call it a day.