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The most popular choice here is by far any flavour of [[GNU/Linux|Linux]]. [[BSD|BSD]] is sometimes considered better. Using MacOS will earn you derision from Linux and Windows sysadmins alike. Don't use Windows.
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You may also consider using an OS designed for virtualisation/containerisation - see [[#Hypervisor]].
The most popular choice here is by far any flavour of [[GNU/Linux|Linux]]. [[BSD|BSD]] is sometimes considered better. Using macOS will earn you derision from Linux and Windows sysadmins alike. Don't use Windows.
==Linux-based==
These are all server-specific or at least minimal operating systems without a desktop environment or other bloat preinstalled.


*Debian Stable is one of the best operating systems to use for a server. It is not too hard to manage, but at the same time customizable enough for your server's purposes.
=Linux=
*Ubuntu Server is based on Debian Testing. Slighty less stable than Debian, but has far less outdated software in its repos. Recent LTS releases have focused on providing heavy integration with Openstack. Does retarded things with packages and versions (lib*-ubuntu1.l2). Arguably the best option for users new and old.
===Debian===
*Scientific Linux
*CentOS is basically a free community supported version of RHEL. Very stable, and very popular thanks to its links to Red Hat.
*Alpine Linux is an extremely lightweight hardened distro using musl and busybox instead of glibc and coreutils. Uses OpenRC instead of SystemD. Commonly used as base for docker images thanks to its small size, but works well on bare metal too. Recommended, especially for more experienced users.
*OpenSUSE
*Slackware
*Gentoo is usually too much trouble to be worth it, but it works and sees occasional server usage.
*Arch and other rolling release distros are not good choices as they are generally unstable and often break/change behaviour on updates.


If you're lost, just go with Debian or Ubuntu.
===Ubuntu Server===


==BSD==
===Alpine Linux===
FreeBSD is the most popular, OpenBSD has a bigger focus on security, NetBSD is another option. All are highly regarded by their users.


==Hypervisor==
=== AlmaLinux ===
*SmartOS is what you get if you take Opensolaris, KVM and Linux syscalls and expertly stick them together. If you don't know if you need this, you probably don't.
*RancherOS the memeiest around. Has everything you need to run docker, a web UI and nothing else. Web UI for administration is quite good. Overall good, but Alpine+Docker does essentially the same thing (and the web UI is available seperately). Recommended for memes.
*CoreOS very good shit for advanced dockerfags


==Additional==
=== Rocky Linux ===
You could also consider a NAS-centric operating system for a home server. FreeBSD-based FreeNAS or NAS4Free are common choices. Both are [[free]] software designed for the lowest common denominator, with simple GUIs to set up your services.
 
=BSD=
===FreeBSD===
 
===OpenBSD===
A security-focused operating system, which offers a lot of in-house solutions useful for server deployments, such as OpenBSD's [https://man.openbsd.org/httpd.8 httpd], [https://man.openbsd.org/inetd.8 inetd], [https://man.openbsd.org/ftpd.8 ftpd], and [https://man.openbsd.org/wg their own Wireguard implementation].
 
=Hypervisor=
===Proxmox===
[[File:Proxmox-VE-Cluster-Summary.png|500px|thumb|none|Proxmox web UI]]
 
===VMware ESXi===
[[File:Vsphere.jpg|500px|thumb|none|Vmware Vsphere client for ESXi 7]]
 
===RancherOS===
Mostly for advanced docker and kubernetes applications. Not going to cover it here, just know it exists as an option if you want to go full on dockerfag.
 
=NAS Centric=
NAS-centric operating system for a home server. Software designed for retards, with simple GUIs to set up your services.
 
==Open Media Vault==
[[File:OMV6_web_UI.png|500px|thumb|none|Vmware Open Media Vault web UI]]
 
==[https://xpenology.org/ Xpenology]==
A free version of the OS Synology uses for their NAS products. Obviously you won't get any support from Synology if you use this.
 
Supports differently sized physical disks and adding hard drives to expand as needed.
 
* [https://xpenology.com/forum/ Xpenology Forums]
 
==unRAID==
[[File:UnRaid6.60.png|500px|thumb|none|Unraid 6.60 Dashboard]]
 
==TrueNAS CORE==
[[File:TrueNas_Core_UI.png|500px|thumb|none|Vmware TrueNas CORE web UI]]
 
==TrueNAS Scale==
In development Debian-based version of TrueNAS. Boasts new features like KVM, native docker, and more.
 
 
[[Category:GNU/Linux]] [[Category:Distros]] [[Category:Unix]] [[Category:BSD]] [[Category:Guide]]

Latest revision as of 18:34, 20 April 2025

Installgentoo-wiki-logo-r1.png This dongle is a stub. You can help the InstallGentoo Wiki v2 by adding more freedoms.

The most popular choice here is by far any flavour of Linux. BSD is sometimes considered better. Using macOS will earn you derision from Linux and Windows sysadmins alike. Don't use Windows.

Linux

Debian

Ubuntu Server

Alpine Linux

AlmaLinux

Rocky Linux

BSD

FreeBSD

OpenBSD

A security-focused operating system, which offers a lot of in-house solutions useful for server deployments, such as OpenBSD's httpd, inetd, ftpd, and their own Wireguard implementation.

Hypervisor

Proxmox

Proxmox web UI

VMware ESXi

Vmware Vsphere client for ESXi 7

RancherOS

Mostly for advanced docker and kubernetes applications. Not going to cover it here, just know it exists as an option if you want to go full on dockerfag.

NAS Centric

NAS-centric operating system for a home server. Software designed for retards, with simple GUIs to set up your services.

Open Media Vault

Vmware Open Media Vault web UI

Xpenology

A free version of the OS Synology uses for their NAS products. Obviously you won't get any support from Synology if you use this.

Supports differently sized physical disks and adding hard drives to expand as needed.

unRAID

Unraid 6.60 Dashboard

TrueNAS CORE

Vmware TrueNas CORE web UI

TrueNAS Scale

In development Debian-based version of TrueNAS. Boasts new features like KVM, native docker, and more.

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