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Show HN: I've built a nice home server OS

22 points by Zta77 2 hours ago | 9 comments

ohai!

I've released Lightwhale 3, which is possibly the easiest way to self-host Docker containers.

It's a free, immutable Linux system purpose-built to live-boot straight into a working Docker Engine, thereby shortcutting the need for installation, configuration, and maintenance. Its simple design makes it easy to learn, and its low memory footprint should make it especially attractive during these times of RAMageddon.

If this has piqued your interest, do check it out, along with its easy-to-follow Getting Started guide.

In any event, have a nice day! =)

happyopossum 42 minutes ago

As long as there is software, you cannot shortcut the need for maintenance. Nothing is bug free, and telling people they will never need to upgrade/patch/maintain a system is a well-paved path to compromised systems.

8fingerlouie 10 minutes ago

I've been telling people this for years. Yes, you can self host, but you'll end up with a SLA on your spare time as well as you working hours.

I've long since thrown everything with a user count > 1 out.

darknavi 21 minutes ago

I'm a novice in this space I think. I've self-hosted for over a decade and around 2019 I moved over to Unraid, which is generally pretty visual (web portal or configuring and doing maintenance). I find the web portal very easy. How does one interact with your home server OS? I assume it's all via terminal because there are no pictures on the website?

nikolay 14 minutes ago

This is a Linux distro, not an OS!

9dev 60 minutes ago

I like the idea of something like this for swarm mode clusters; not sure if you’re focused on the home server aspect exclusively, but I’ll be following along.

Kudos to the great project!

Zta77 51 minutes ago

Thanks! I'm only announcing it for home servers because that's where most people are willing to try it out. But Lightwhale is already running in production, and it makes an excellent Swarm cluster.

dandano 54 minutes ago

So I’ve just set up my home server with Ubuntu server, installed docker with one line and I’m off to the races. What’s different/ exactly the value prop of this? You mention maintenance, of what exactly? Is your server a slimmed down version to run on less powerful hardware? Genuinely curious as I’m new to setting up a home server so seeing how this would benefit me.

zackify 42 minutes ago

I do the same thing. Being immutable is supposed to be great for updates. New image version and if there's a problem you can boot back to the last version no problem.

But functionally, like you I find Ubuntu server fine. I run apt update and upgrade a couple times a year and its local only with tailscale access.

I find these immutable OS's really nice on laptop or desktop. The home directory is the only thing that can be written to so the OS is supposed to be more stable and can't break easily

logic-designer 13 minutes ago

did you say anywhere what package manager it uses (couldnt find that info on the website)