Is there a good solution for an entirely off-grid server?
Is it possible to use a smartphone hotspot/USB tethering for internet connection?
I have some solar panels & batteries and an old laptop (or I might get a raspberry pi) and am curious about whether I could selfhost literally in the middle of nowhere, without a residential internet connection?
For public services you will need some kind of tunnel, as cellular networks or Starlink will not provide you with a public IP. Otherwise no big issue with an ARM SBC and a somewhat decent battery.
How does that work? Thanks :)
Basically a VPN where the endpoint is a VPS or a specialized service that offers a public IP.
OK, does that mean it’s not possible to have a public IP using a cellular device?
Technically it is possible, and I have heard rumors about some eastern European providers given unique public IPs on request, but practically no, not possible/available.
Besides what the other commenter mentioned, there’s also existing services you can use instead of doing it all yourself and having to keep track of another VPS/Server
https://www.noip.com/remote-access
Especially if all you want to do is access your own server from outside your local off-grid network, then the free tier of the above service is probably perfect. Paid tiers give you a bit more features and can use your own TLD; Oracle also offers something similar that is paid.