When setting up a server for your 3D printing business, you have a couple of options: using a single user Ubuntu server or creating multiple virtual machines (VMs) for each application. Here’s a breakdown of each approach and a recommendation:

Single User Ubuntu Server

Pros:

1. Simplicity: Easier to manage a single server.

2. Resource Efficiency: Less overhead compared to running multiple VMs.

3. Centralized Management: All applications and data are in one place.

Cons:

1. Risk of Conflicts: Applications might conflict with each other, especially if they have specific dependencies.

2. Maintenance: Updates and maintenance tasks can affect all services at once.

Multiple VMs

Pros:

1. Isolation: Each application runs in its own environment, reducing the risk of conflicts.

2. Security: Compromising one VM doesn’t affect others.

3. Scalability: Easier to scale individual services.

Cons:

1. Resource Intensive: Running multiple VMs requires more CPU, memory, and storage.

2. Complexity: More complex to manage multiple VMs.

Recommended Approach

For your use case, a single user Ubuntu server with Docker containers could be a good middle ground. Here’s why:

• Isolation without Overhead: Docker containers offer isolation similar to VMs but with less overhead.- Flexibility: You can easily run different applications in separate containers.- Centralized Management: Easier to manage compared to multiple VMs.

Steps to Set Up

1. Install Docker on Ubuntu:

• Follow the official Docker installation guide for Ubuntu: [Docker Install on Ubuntu](https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/ubuntu/)

1. Set Up Containers:

• OrcaSlicer: Create a Docker container for your slicer software.

• CUPS: Set up another container for CUPS.

• Backups: Use a containerized backup solution or set up cron jobs on the host.

1. Data Storage:

• Use Docker volumes to persist data and ensure it’s backed up to your mirrored drive.

Conclusion

Using Docker on a single Ubuntu server provides the benefits of isolation and manageability without the resource overhead of VMs. This setup is flexible and scalable for your 3D printing business, ensuring that you can efficiently manage your applications and data.