MOS is a New Open-Source Server OS Aimed at Homelabs and Self-Hosting

MOS is a newly introduced open-source server operating system built specifically for homelabs and small self-hosting environments. Rather than focusing purely on network-attached storage (NAS), MOS positions itself as a general-purpose server platform managed entirely through a modern web-based interface.

Built on Devuan, the project is still in its early development phase. Its architecture follows a service-oriented design, where the web interface functions strictly as a client to the MOS API, while backend services handle all core system operations.

A Unified Approach to Homelab Management

MOS brings together capabilities that are often distributed across multiple tools in a typical homelab setup. Through a centralized web interface, administrators can manage:

• System monitoring
• User accounts
• Storage pools and shared storage
• Containers (Docker & LXC)
• Virtual machines

Although MOS includes NAS functionality such as storage and file sharing, its primary objective is broader: to serve as a versatile server OS rather than a storage-first solution.

Core Focus Areas

The project emphasizes two main pillars:

1. Server & Workload Management
   • User and service administration
   • Container management
   • Virtual machine orchestration
   • Host system administration
2. Storage Management
   • Storage pools
   • Shared storage
   • NAS capabilities when required

Unlike traditional NAS-focused operating systems—where storage is central and services are layered on top—MOS treats storage as important but not dominant.

Core & Optional Services

Core services include:

• System monitoring
• Storage and pool management
• User administration
• Container services
• Virtual machine support
• Web-based terminal access

Optional modules such as MOS Hub and MOS Notify can be enabled to extend functionality without increasing the base system footprint.

Security & Architecture

MOS uses token-based authentication for access control. For deployments beyond isolated lab environments, the project recommends:

• Enabling TLS with a reverse proxy
• Applying least-privilege access policies
• Keeping the system updated
• Regularly reviewing logs and notifications

Plugin-Based Extensibility

MOS supports plugins that can extend both the web interface and, where applicable, the API. Only registered and enabled plugins appear in the management interface, keeping the system clean and modular.

Installation Notes

MOS is not distributed as a traditional ISO image. Instead, users download an .xz archive, extract it, and mount the resulting raw image file as a USB device within a virtual machine.

For additional information, visit the project’s website, GitHub repository, or documentation.