Quote:
Originally Posted by randdeveloper
I want a home server for media sharing, home automation, web serving and e-mail serving, and as a network proxy, (..) A suggestion I found was to put each function into it's own virtual machine making it easier to administer each component.
|
Creating different virtual machines for different services makes it easier to tune their specs to whatever resources the application needs (caching proxy: RAM, IMAPS server: disk space, etc, etc) and makes it less of a single point of failure. Next to that, for data and network security, you should isolate data you do not want to expose (the media sharing, home automation part) from the rest of the services. That's just the tip of the Iceberg. Once you have formulated more specific plans for your network you could post them for comments.
Quote:
Originally Posted by randdeveloper
I want the proxy to provide anonymity and speed web surfing for the half dozen users connected to the network.
|
Due to the nature of network communication you'll probably want a VPN or TOR for increased anonymity. Note using those doesn't "absolve" users from taking precautions and the latter isn't particularly suitable for high volume / high speed traffic anyway.
Quote:
Originally Posted by randdeveloper
What are my options for the host OS? What are your thoughts about OracleLinux VM, Proxmox, or Ubuntu with KVM (..) I'm fairly new to Linux and to networking.
|
If you're fairly new to Linux then you should probably first play & practice especially considering what admin skills are required
because like with all knowledge there aren't any shortcuts (and no: web-based control panels aren't necessarily a Good Thing). Do research, read the distributions documentation, play around a bit. Once you're comfortable with things expand your setup.
HTH
additional information and questions
