Self-Hosting Basics: Benefits, Hardware Options, and Preparation with Raspberry Pi

Self-hosting has grown in popularity among tech enthusiasts, IT professionals, and even casual users looking to take control of their digital environment. Whether you’re looking to host your own media server, create a private cloud, or deploy a secure VPN, self-hosting allows you to maintain full control over your data and services. This article is the first in a series that will cover self-hosting essentials, starting with the benefits of self-hosting, the hardware options available, and how to get your environment set up with a Raspberry Pi, Raspbian OS, Docker, and Nginx Proxy Manager.