Home server

In the recent times, it has become very common to run hundreds of applications as containers, isolated from the host operating system.

Home servers often act as network-attached storage (NAS) providing the major benefit that all users' files can be centrally and securely stored, with flexible permissions applied to them.

[2] This allows a user to log on from any machine in the domain and have access to their "Documents" folder and personalized Windows and application preferences - multiple accounts on each computer in the home are not needed.

Home servers are often used to serve multi-media content, including photos, music, and video to other devices in the household (and even to the Internet; see Space shifting, Tonido and Orb).

Using standard protocols such as DLNA or proprietary systems such as iTunes, users can access their media stored on the home server from any room in the house.

Asterisk, Xine, MythTV (another media serving solution), VideoLAN, SlimServer, DLNA, and many other open-source projects are fully integrated for a seamless home theater/automation/telephony experience.

Additionally, for Macs directly connected to TVs, Boxee can act as a full-featured media center interface.

Similarly, Tonido provides direct access via a web browser from the Internet without requiring any port forwarding or other setup.

Some users choose to run a web server in order to share files easily and publicly (or privately, on the home network).

Home servers are ideal for utilizing the BitTorrent protocol for downloading and seeding files as some torrents can take days, or even weeks to complete and perform better on an uninterrupted connection.

[citation needed] Home automation frequently relies on continuously operational devices for effective control and management.

While traditional home servers have been instrumental in this area, the emergence and increasing use of Raspberry Pi and other Single Board Computers (SBCs) have become prominent.

Relatively low cost CCTV DVR solutions are available that allow recording of video cameras to a home server for security purposes.

Home servers can act as a host to family-oriented applications such as a family calendar, to-do lists, and message boards.

Federation protocols like ActivityPub allow many small home servers to interact in a meaningful way and give the perception of being on a large traditional social network.

Many innovative new free software web services are being developed that can allow people to host their own videos, photos, blogs etc.

Enthusiasts who build their own home servers can use whatever OS is conveniently available or familiar to them, such as Linux, Microsoft Windows, BSD, Solaris or Plan 9 from Bell Labs.