Quoting Reco (2019-08-07 08:53:52)
On Wed, Aug 07, 2019 at 01:29:21AM -0400, Steven Mainor wrote:
I'm looking for advice on how to build a home server with a primary
focus on security. I plan to run nextcloud and a mail server that
will serve 3 to 5 people at most.
My requirements are:
A server setup that can be run with completely open source software
and doesn't require any binaries to boot. I don't trust anything
closed source for this particular project.
A gigabit ethernet port.
A USB3.0 port or SATA connector to attach storage to.
Enough processor power and ram to run nextcloud and the mail server
from an encrypted hard drive (LUKS) efficiently with moderate
throughput saving and reading files from nextcloud.
These fit all your requirements (i.e. it'll run stock buster kernel
without any additional firmware):
Helios4 - [1]. 4 SATA ports controller attached to PCI-E.
GnuBee - [2]. 6 SATA ports attached to PCI-E.
Odroid HC2 - [3]. Single SATA port, attached to USB bus.
No powerful computers exist today completely without non-free parts:
Since you point to Open Source Hardware below, beware that none of above
devices are OSHWA certified: https://certification.oshwa.org/list.html -
if however your freedom concerns are limited to _software_ parts then it
is easier: Look for boards supported in mainline Linux and u-boot, and
supported in Debian!
Disregarding OSHW I agree that above options are good highlights.
Additionally I suggest Olimex A64-Olinuxino and ESPRESSObin, both
(unlike above options) known to be mainlined and work with Debian
Buster.
Personally, for hosting mail + Nextcloud for a small team I would
tolerate USB2.0 and use the OSHWA certified board Olimex A64-Olinuxino.
Only for heavy professional demands (e.g. an advertising agency pushing
big files across a LAN all the time) I would use a Helios4.
So far I have been looking at single board computers like the ones
listed here: https://wiki.debian.org/CheapServerBoxHardware#OSHW
Happy to see that list being of use beyond the FreedomBox project and my
own competing https://solidbox.org/ :-)
Please note that above list is limited to more consumer-oriented devices
than your spec needs - e.g. must be sold with a proper case and be
cheaper than you tolerate.
That list is outdated somewhat. But it gave me good ideas back in the
day.