Subscriptions. Pay some big companies to take care of your data or to provide some kind of service. And it is OK to not do everything yourself. But it's not OK to not have a choice and to agree to every single thing service provider wants to do with your data. Although relying on third-party services has become the norm, there's an alternative to that. Self-hosting! It offers a compelling alternative that can enhance your technical skills, promote sustainability, and provide greater control over your data. Whether you're a student eager to learn or someone looking to reduce dependence on corporations, self-hosting presents numerous benefits worth considering.
Your CV Will Thank You for This Lab Hack
Self-hosting is incredibly useful for students eager to break into the IT field. By setting up and managing their own servers, students can gain hands-on experience with networking, general problem solving and technologies like Docker, Linux and other essential tools used in the industry. It's a relatively easy and cheap way to learn – you can start with a Raspberry Pi or an old desktop PC. Even if you're living in a dorm room, a small "home lab" is very possible and is great project. It’s also a strong addition to your CV, showcasing your practical skills and genuine interest in IT to potential employers.
No, You Don't Need Server Grade Equipment
If you ever been to /r/homelab, half of the posts looks like a fucking commercial data center. You don't need it. I mean, if you want it - you're welcome, but I have my homelab in the closet on a single shelf just above the brooms and I use mostly consumer grade hardware. Good quality, but still consumer grade. The entire price of my homelab is less than my single monthly salary and I use it every day without any inconveniences.
Landfill or Home Lab? You Decide
Instead of sending old hardware to the landfill, why not repurpose it for self-hosting? This approach not only reduces electronic waste but also gives your old devices a new lease on life. By reusing outdated computers, you contribute to a more sustainable environment while also creating a valuable learning tool for yourself. For me it's a win-win: I get a cheap hardware and as a bonus get some eco karma points. Older hardware might not be as powerful, but unless it's required to run intensive tasks like AI or public servers, it will be fine. Just take a look at power consumption if you're planning to run it 24/7, since there's a difference between being just slower and bad efficiency in terms of performance/power.
Your Data, Your Terms
Relying on your own services means less dependence on corporations. When you self-host, you have full control over your data, applications and get rid of some subscriptions. This independence can be empowering, allowing you to customize and optimize your setup exactly how you want it. You won’t have to worry about sudden changes in service terms or pricing from third-party providers. Although, depending on where you live, with great power might come great power bill.
Host Yourself, Defend Yourself
However, self-hosting isn't without its challenges. If you plan to host public-facing services, you need to implement at least basic security measures to protect your setup from potential threats. This could involve setting up firewalls, using secure passwords, 2FA, regularly updating your software. Additionally, the proper functioning of your services might depend on your skills and knowledge. If you're not familiar with server maintenance, you might face some difficulties. I'm not trying to scare you, basic security is actually relatively easy. Most self-hosted services come with login screen or some kind of protection. Just don't cut too many corners when it comes to security. If app you're trying to expose to the public wants that cert and proper domain - consider doing it.
Backup or Cry Later
Another downside is the risk of data loss. Without proper backups and data management practices, you could lose important information due to mistakes or hardware failures. It's mostly inevitable - some component will die. Maybe tomorrow, maybe in five years from now. Or you'll make a mistake. It's crucial to establish a reliable backup routine to mitigate this risk. So always have a backup of important data. And make sure the backup actually works. For example, I have a custom built NAS, that does backups to "normal" NAS which only turns on to receive a backup. And I'm thinking of adding a USB drive as a separate offline backup. Just in case something goes very, very wrong. One of the safest option is the classic 3-2-1 rule - meaning having three copies of your data, stored on two different devices, with one copy being stored off-site (not the same building).
Summary
Despite the challenges and risk of being hacked (yep, happened to me), self-hosting is a rewarding experience that offers significant or, at least, some benefits. For students, it's a practical way to gain valuable skills and enhance their CVs. Repurposing old hardware is eco-friendly and cheap, and relying on your own services provides independence from corporate control. Worst case scenario you gain some skills and knowledge. Best case scenario you get something for yourself that you can actually use. While there are security and data management considerations, the learning and growth opportunities far outweigh the risks. If you're interested in IT and eager to learn, self-hosting is definitely worth time spent.
