Running any kind of website, cloud file sharing, data backup, or home media streaming requires a server to host the traffic. Most people who need their own server, such as small business owners, just pay a company to do the hosting for them.
However, this is like paying rent on a house you could be paying to own instead.
If you’d like better security and reliability for your network, consider setting up a home server.
1. It’s Cheaper in the Long Run
Renting a server from another company has a fixed cost per month, usually upwards of a hundred dollars, with the chance that the price could go up with inflation or at their whim.
The upfront Home Server Cost is more since you’ll be buying specialized hardware, but you only pay once. Electricity will be required to run the server constantly, so you may see a bump in your electricity bill, but nothing near the monthly rate of a rented server.
Your server will require maintenance to stay in good shape, but there are plenty of free IT courses on the Internet you can take to learn basic skills, so you can avoid calling an IT service unless it’s serious.
2. It’s More Secure
The best anti-malware software in the world doesn’t mean much if the hacker has physical access to your hardware. Large company servers will be a much bigger target for people looking to steal data or just break stuff for fun. You’re even at the risk of disgruntled employees sabotaging the servers and, by extension, whatever virtual real estate you’re paying for.
The odds of someone breaking into your home to hack into your server are virtually zero in comparison, assuming they even know about your home server. The only person with access to the computer itself will be you.
3. You Have More Control
When you rely on a company to handle your network storage, you’re limited to what they can offer. They likely have a limited number of plans, and their best plan might not be exactly what you need.
The cost of digital storage has been decreasing, but rental server prices have only gotten higher. You can buy whatever brand storage you want, in whatever quantity you want, for a single initial cost that’s likely less than a single month of a subscription.
4. Better File Management and Backups
Maybe you just want something small to manage your family’s files or keep everything together if you have more than one computer. If you have a lot of video files downloaded, for example, that will fill up your home computer’s hard drive fast. You can instead keep them on your server to stream from your personal cloud, no subscriptions required.
It’s also possible to back your files up automatically to your own server so that your stuff stays safe. It’s important to back up anything you have on your computer anyway. Your trusty laptop is only one bad fall or coffee spill away from destroying important work documents, sentimental pictures, or your banking information. No matter what you need to keep safe, it’s better to prevent loss before it happens.
Is It Worth It?
Running your own home server is worth it, depending on your needs. The startup cost can be pricey, but in the long term it’s cheaper than renting, and you have more control over your data.
If you try it out and decide it’s not for you, the parts you used can be resold to recuperate most of the cost; something you can’t do if you’re renting.
