Not only does having a file server make access and sharing much easier, but it also makes it much easier to perform backups and protect your important files. you can consolidate them all onto a fast file server. Rather than have all your files scattered over various desktop PCs, laptops, external drives, etc. Many people don’t realise how useful running a file server or NAS is until they’ve done it. A significant number of these people found the tinkering and experimental side of owning a home server exciting and started to explorer other uses for it. This will allow you to stream live TV and even schedule recordings to build up your library.Ī lot of people got into the whole “home server” scene just to stream and organise their media. If you want to get even more advanced, you can add a capture card to your server and hook up a live TV feed. People who believe in FOSS and are concerned about the privacy and security of Plex quite often prefer Jellyfin. Unlike Plex, Jellyfin is completely free and open-source which makes it really appeal to a certain audience. Jellyfin is a piece of software that’s similar to Plex and is really beginning to take-off. Whilst Plex is the most well known of the media streaming/sharing applications out there it’s by no means the only one. You could set it up so that you can stream your library from your home server to your smartphone from the other side of the world! Of course, you’ll want to secure it so that random people can’t just access your stash. Some people even configure it to allow access over the Internet. You could, for example, enjoy your Plex library from your smart TV, iPad, laptop, etc.

Basically, you can install software such as Plex, point it to your library of movies, TV shows, music, etc and it’ll let you stream them.

This is probably the most popular use of a home server and is something a lot of people do, even in they’re not very technical.

Home firewall