All you need to know in self-hosting terminology

June 1, 2026

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Self-hosting is the digital equivalent of moving out of a managed apartment complex into a home you built and maintain yourself. It offers unparalleled privacy and control, but the jargon can be a bit overwhelming for newcomers.

Here is a breakdown of the essential terms you need to know to navigate the world of self-hosting.

The infrastructure basics

Before you install any software, you need to understand the "where" and "how" of your setup.

• Bare metal: Running an operating system directly on physical hardware without any virtualization layers.
• Hypervisor: Software that allows you to run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical machine. Popular examples include Proxmox and ESXi.
• Virtual machine (VM): An emulation of a computer system. It acts like a completely separate physical computer with its own dedicated CPU, RAM, and Storage.
• Containerization: A more lightweight alternative to VMs. Instead of simulating a whole computer, a container packages just the application and its dependencies.
• Docker: The most popular platform for creating and managing containers.
• Docker compose: A tool used to define and run multi-container applications using a simple text file.

Networking, access and security

How do you reach your services when you aren't at home? This is where the hosting part gets technical.

• Reverse proxy: A server that sits in front of your applications and directs web traffic to the correct service. It handles SSL encryption and allows you to use a single domain (like plex.yourname.com) for multiple apps. Common tools include Nginx Proxy Manager, Traefik, Caddy.
• DNS (Domain Name System): The phonebook of the internet. It translates human-readable names (google.com) into IP addresses.
• DDNS (Dynamic DNS): Most home internet providers change your IP address periodically. DDNS automatically updates your domain record, so it always points to your home network.
• Port forwarding: A setting on your router that tells it to send traffic from a specific port directly to a specific device on your network. Note! Many modern self-hosters avoid port forwarding for security reasons, opting for VPNs instead.
• VPN (Virtual Private Network): In self-hosting, tools like WireGuard or Tailscale allow you to "tunnel" into your home network securely from anywhere in the world as if you were sitting on your couch.
• SSL/TLS: It encrypts the data between you and your server. Let's Encrypt is the service most self-hosters use to get these certificates for free.
• 2FA/MFA: Two-Factor Authentication. If a service you host supports it, use it. Period.

Data and storage

Self-hosting is often about taking back your data, so understanding how that data is stored is vital.

• NAS (Network Attached Storage): A dedicated device or server used solely for storing and serving files to other devices on the network.
• RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks): A way of grouping multiple hard drives together to protect against data loss if one drive fails. Crucial rule: RAID is not a backup. It is a way to ensure "uptime." Always keep a separate backup of your most important files!
• Mounting: The process of making a storage device or folder accessible to your operating system or a specific container.

Automation and management

Once you have more than two or three services, you'll want tools to help you manage the chaos.

• Headless: Running a server without a monitor, keyboard, or mouse. You manage it entirely through another computer via the network.
• SSH (Secure Shell): The standard way to remotely log into a server's command line to run updates or change settings.
• Dashboard: A "homepage" for your server that provides clickable icons for all your hosted services. Common tools: Homepage, Heimdall, Dashy.
• CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment): Advanced workflows that automatically update your software whenever a new version is released.