Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Is self-hosting hard?

Running your first Docker container takes about 10 minutes. Running a reliable, secure stack takes learning and practice — but so does anything worthwhile. Start with one service (Nextcloud or Pi-hole are great first choices) and build from there.

How much does it cost to get started?

A Raspberry Pi 5 (£55–80) can run DNS blocking, a VPN, and light file sync. A mini PC with 16GB RAM (~£140) handles 20+ Docker containers. A 2-bay NAS (~£250–400) adds proper storage. You can start meaningfully for under £100.

What should I self-host first?

Pi-hole (DNS ad blocking) is the easiest win — install it once and every device on your network benefits. After that: Vaultwarden (password manager), then Nextcloud or Syncthing (file sync).

Do I need a static IP address?

No. Dynamic DNS services (DuckDNS, Cloudflare DDNS) or Cloudflare Tunnels work with dynamic IPs. Most ISPs don't change your IP frequently anyway.

Hardware

Raspberry Pi or proper server?

A Pi is excellent for light services (DNS, VPN, monitoring). For Docker-heavy workloads, media transcoding, or large storage, you'll want something more powerful. A mini PC (Intel N100) bridges the gap nicely.

How much storage do I need?

Depends entirely on your use case. File sync and documents: 500GB is plenty. Media library: 4–20TB. Photo backup: 1–4TB. Start with what you have and expand as needed.

Can I use an old PC as a server?

Absolutely. An old laptop or desktop makes a fine server. Considerations: power consumption (old hardware is less efficient), noise, and reliability (old drives fail). A refurbished enterprise micro PC often offers better value.

How much power does a home server use?

A Raspberry Pi: ~5W. A mini PC: ~10–15W. A 2-bay NAS: ~15–25W. A custom server: ~30–80W. At UK electricity prices (~£0.28/kWh), a 15W server costs about £37/year to run 24/7.

Networking

Do I need a domain name?

For internal services only, no — use local IP addresses. For remote access or proper HTTPS, yes. A .uk domain costs ~£5–8/year.

Should I open ports on my router?

Only if necessary, and as few as possible. Alternatives: Cloudflare Tunnel (no open ports needed), Tailscale/WireGuard VPN (one port), or Tailscale mesh (zero ports).

What's a reverse proxy and do I need one?

A reverse proxy routes traffic to different services based on the domain name. Instead of remembering server:8080 and server:8096, you use files.yourdomain.com and media.yourdomain.com. Yes, you need one if you're exposing any services.

VPN or Cloudflare Tunnel?

VPN gives you full network access (like being at home). Cloudflare Tunnel exposes specific services to the web. Use VPN for personal access, Tunnel for services others need to reach.

Security

Is self-hosting less secure than cloud services?

It can be either more or less secure, depending on your configuration. Cloud services have dedicated security teams but are high-value targets. Self-hosted services have a tiny attack surface but rely on your diligence. The guides on this site will get you to "more secure than most cloud setups."

What if my server gets hacked?

If you follow the basics — SSH keys, firewall, fail2ban, updates, and network segmentation — the risk is very low. But have a plan: recent backups mean you can wipe and rebuild. Encrypted backups mean stolen data is useless.

How do I handle software updates?

Check for updates weekly. Read changelogs before updating. Backup before major updates. Use Watchtower for automatic minor updates on low-risk services. Pin versions on critical services and update deliberately.

Backups

How often should I back up?

Critical data (photos, documents, passwords): daily. Important data (projects, configs): daily. Everything else: weekly or on-change.

Where should my off-site backup go?

Cheapest: Backblaze B2 (~£0.005/GB/month). Easiest: Synology C2 or Hetzner Storage Box. Most control: a second NAS at a friend or family member's house. Best privacy: encrypted USB drive stored elsewhere.

How do I know my backups actually work?

Test them. Regularly. Restore a random file from your backup and verify it matches the original. A backup you've never tested is an assumption, not a backup.

Docker

Should I use Docker or install software directly?

Docker, almost always. It's easier to install, easier to update, easier to remove, and doesn't pollute your system. The only exception is services that need deep system access (like network tools).

What's the difference between Docker and Docker Compose?

Docker runs individual containers. Docker Compose manages multi-container stacks defined in a YAML file. For self-hosting, you'll use Compose almost exclusively.

How do I persist data when containers update?

Docker volumes. Data stored in a volume survives container stops, restarts, and recreations. Always mount important data as a volume, never store it inside the container.

Cost and Effort

Will I save money versus cloud services?

Usually, yes — after the initial hardware purchase. A £300 NAS replaces £5–20/month in cloud storage subscriptions. Break-even is typically 1–2 years. Electricity adds ~£30–50/year.

How much maintenance is involved?

A well-built setup needs 30–60 minutes per week: checking for updates, reviewing logs, verifying backups. Poorly built setups need constant attention. Invest time upfront to save time forever.

What happens if I lose interest?

A well-documented setup can sit largely untouched. Automated backups still run. Services keep serving. The documentation you wrote (you did write documentation, right?) means you — or someone else — can pick it up later.

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