Free course

Build a Home Server Course

Plan, install, secure, and operate an Ubuntu home server with private remote access, durable storage, containers, HTTPS, backups, and recovery notes.

5 modules · 25 lessons · No signup

Prerequisites: Shell Commands, Linux Basics, Networking Foundations, SSH and Docker

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What you'll learn

Build a private home server that survives routine updates and power loss and can be restored from documented backups.

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Course contents

  1. Plan and install

    Choose hardware and workloads, install Ubuntu Server, assign a stable address, and record the machine.

    1. ✓ Choose a home server job
    2. ✓ Prepare installation and recovery
    3. ✓ Install a minimal server
    4. ✓ Give the server a stable address
    5. ✓ Check your understanding: plan and install

  2. Access and security

    Update the host, use personal SSH keys, restrict network exposure, and add private remote access.

    1. ✓ Patch and reboot the base
    2. ✓ Use personal SSH keys
    3. ✓ Allow only needed firewall traffic
    4. ✓ Add private remote access
    5. ✓ Check your understanding: access and security

  3. Storage and data

    Attach storage, mount by stable identity, set service ownership, inspect health, and separate live data from backups.

    1. ✓ Inventory storage devices
    2. ✓ Mount a data filesystem
    3. ✓ Assign service ownership
    4. ✓ Monitor capacity and disk health
    5. ✓ Check your understanding: storage and data

  4. Run services

    Deploy one containerized service, expose it privately, add local naming, and put HTTPS at the edge.

    1. ✓ Deploy with Docker Compose
    2. ✓ Persist container data
    3. ✓ Add a local service name
    4. ✓ Add a private HTTPS proxy
    5. ✓ Check your understanding: run services

  5. Operate and recover

    Back up data, observe services, update deliberately, handle power loss, and maintain a recovery runbook.

    1. ✓ Back up home server data
    2. ✓ Observe services and host
    3. ✓ Update with a rollback plan
    4. ✓ Write and rehearse the runbook
    5. ✓ Check your understanding: operate and recover