Recommend a distro for a just-works NAS/self hosting machine? (programming.dev)

submitted 4 months ago by CodeMonkey@programming.dev to c/linux4noobs@programming.dev

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I am looking to build a machine to use for file backups and some light media serving (PhotoPrism, Calibre, and the like). My plan is to take a retired desktop, throw in every old drive I have lying around, and merge them with Greyhole.

I am a seasoned Linux user (in containers or on machines being managed by others). I am comfortable with CLI basics and should be able to use the system entirely over SSH and web UIs, so I am fine without a window manager. What I am not fine with is system administration (and do not want to spend time fixing issues that constantly pop-up).

Ideally, I would want to find a distro that I can install by accepting reasonable defaults, configure my storage and my various applications, create a cron job to periodically update packages and reboot the machine, and the machine will just keep working with no intervention on my part. I realize that that is an impossible goal, but I want to get as close as I can.

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[-] spj@sh.itjust.works 8 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

If you want the machine to just work and not require or encourage you to fool around with it all the time, debian is the answer. Other than installing security updates, you don't have to think about it.

this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2025

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