I'm currently running Windows 11 Pro on one SSD and I'm looking to set up a second SSD for Linux. My setup includes an i3-1220p processor, 24GB of LPDDR5 RAM, a 500GB SSD for Windows, and a 1TB SSD that's unformatted and waiting for Linux. I plan to use a 4-bay DAS, intending to format one of the large 28TB HDDs as EXT4 to store media.
I've been exploring various Linux distributions, build options, and user interfaces for quite some time, but what's really stopping me from making the switch is understanding how easy it is to switch between builds. I'm particularly interested in using Docker for Plex, an ARR stack, and qBittorrent. I've been considering options like Proxmox with a Debian LXC, Ubuntu Server, or going straight with Ubuntu or Debian.
I like the idea of setting up various LXCs or VMs, but my main priority right now is getting Docker up and running smoothly along with my applications. My question is: how challenging is it to switch Linux builds when my core applications run in Docker? Ideally, I'd like to back up my configurations and transfer them easily to a new build.
Currently, I'm using RustDesk and Tailscale to remotely access my other PCs and my phone. If switching distributions isn't too tricky, I'd prefer to start with Debian or Ubuntu while I familiarize myself with Docker first. I don't want to dive into server management just yet unless it becomes necessary for other projects. The idea of juggling all these new tools and ensuring my data security is quite daunting. If Docker is as portable as I hope, I'd prefer to keep my initial Linux switch simple and explore different distributions later. Does this make sense?
3 Answers
That's a wide topic! If you're keen on using Docker, I’d recommend looking into Proxmox as it can help manage everything better. Just check out resources like Proxmox community pages and self-hosted setups for more detailed guidance.
I get where you're coming from. Proxmox might feel like overkill for a MiniPC setup unless you really need it. But if you're thinking about the long-term usability of your setup, it could justify the initial complexity.
If you choose Debian and stick with it, switching builds later should be straightforward, especially since Docker abstracts a lot of the underlying setup. Most of your configurations can be backed up and transferred across distributions fairly easily.
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