FreeBSD for Home Servers using Jails

Containerization: Jails and Linux Compatibility

FreeBSD jails are the cornerstone of my setup. They basically allow you to partitioning a FreeBSD system into multiple indepndent “mini-systems”.

Why Jails?

  1. Lightweight: Jails have minimal overhead compared to VMs, making them especially perfect for turning a old computer into a server.
  2. Security: A well configured jail is isolated from the others and the host system.
  3. Resource Efficiency: Jails share the kernel with the host system making them more resource efficent than full VMs.

Linux Compatbility Layer

One of the best aspects of jails is their ability to run Linux binaries through the Linux compatibility layer.

My Server Jail Setup

  1. A jail for Gitea
  2. A jail for my Jellyfin media server
  3. A jail for my Minecraft server (my fancier one is in the cloud this one is mainly for my nephews)
  4. A “utility” jail with the Linux compatibility layer enabled for running any necessary Linux applications

Each one of those jails is configured with its own IP adress on my local network