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I self host and use a RPi 3B+. Actually I have a total of 3B+ but only one is actually doing anything for the website. I have my database running on a RPi 4b
by fm2606 4y ago
I self host and use a RPi 3B+. Actually I have a total of 3B+ but only one is actually doing anything for the website. I have my database running on a RPi 4b with 4gb. I could easily consolidate to a single Pi but early on I had different plans for each one but just keep 'em running for no good reason.
I'm fortunate in that I have a static IP. Initially I was using NOIP and it worked great but then noticed my IP address never changes. Also, NOIP still exposes your actually IP which I didn't care for.
Now instead of NOIP I rent a cheap $4/month VPS with nginx to reverse proxy to my home. This does require me to open a port, which again I'm not a huge fan but it is what it is.
My next iteration will be where I close the port and do updates via SSH. I'm the only one who uses my website so it is more of a playground for me than anything.
Finally, I feel setting up a server - or just interacting with a remote computer, be it across town, across the country or in the other bedroom, is a good skill to have. When I got my 1st remote job that gave me access to a server I was more than comfortable to do what I needed to do.
- lost_tourist 4y agohow would noip work if it didn't expose your ip? This statement confuses me. It's funny how used laptops that are 10x faster than an rpi4 are about the same price. Obviously they use more power though :)
- fm2606 4y agoAt the time I set it up I didnt know what I was doing or how it all worked, etc etc, so that is where the statement about it exposing my IP came from. It has been so long that when I first set it up I may have known it was exposed but didnt care. As time went on I just didnt like knowing it was exposed. Why? I just prefer it not be. Not that it couldnt be found I am sure And you are absolutely right about the laptops and I have 2 right now that are just collecting dust. But currently I have no reason to change to a laptop. It is kind of like driving a nail in the wall with a sledge hammer, sad to say a laptop is more than I need in a server at this moment. The only benefit I get from a laptop for my current needs is a built in battery backup.
- moritonal 4y agoHave you considered using something like CloudFlare Tunnels? Hides your IP and let's you apply 2-Factor over services you expose.
- nucleardog 4y agoI do similar with the VPS and reverse proxy, but use a wireguard tunnel from my home device to the VPS to allow nginx to hit my local device instead of forwarding a port. Avoids punching a hole in your local network, avoids issues when your home IP changes, and ensures nothing ends up going over the internet in the clear.
- fm2606 4y agoAh very nice. I may do that instead. Thanks for the tip
- BenjiWiebe 4y agoI'm doing that as well. I'm using an IONOS VPS since they have a DC close to my ISP's upstream, so less added latency than most VPS's.
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- red-iron-pine 4y agoaye, is also what I do - tunnel to VPS. then I hit the VPS from wherever, which is nice if I get sent out of state for work (and sometimes out of country).
- michalwarda 4y agoI'm planning on a similar setup and avoid exposing the network directly. Didn't have time to do that yet but I'll look into that this week!