If you want to start getting into server hosting, system administration, or just want to get a basic minecraft/web server up for you and your friends, then welcom. We all start somewhere, and I would love if I could get your foot in the door.
I'll be adding to this guide whenever I get time, and will update it's readibility once it's 'complete'.
Basic Server setup
- Get a server
- Basic Debian Server setup (with some security)
- Get a domain name
- Connect your server and domain name
Now you officially own a server, but currently all you can do is SSH into it, so let's get some services on there
Nginx Webserver
A great first service for any server is a website, even if it's just a little page to let people know you own the server
- Install nginx
- Setup your first website
- Add an SSL certificate w/Certbot
- Nginx web hardening
- Add PHP to your webserver (optional)
MariaDB Database
A database is a great tool to store, access, and filter data. Typically used alongside a website, or other services, but can be useful standalone if you know what you're doing
- Install mariaDB
- SQL cheatsheet
- Adminer install
- Backup databases (optional)
Backup your server!
Backups are super useful. If something breaks, or gets accidentally deleted you can always use a backup to get back to operational
- Setup rsync
- Setup rdiff-backup
- Setup backup cronjob(s)
Run virtual machines
Virtual machines allow you to use your server as multiple servers at once, with different operating systems, services, files, etc.
- Setup Qemu/KVM
- Setup a bridged adapter
- Setup a virtual machine
- Virsh cheatsheet
Proxy services to port 80/433
Many services you install will be accessible via the web, but will use a different ports. Proxying these allows access (and security) without the need to append a port to the server address
Additional services/potential guides
- Install debain on home server
- Self hosting and port forwarding
- Password protect webpages
- git
- samba
- Open Media Vault
- minecraft
- terraria
- umami
- uptime kuma
- torrentbox
- jellyfin
- VPN
- mailserver
- cockpit for noob-friendly server management