If you're diving into the exciting world of homelabbing, you know that impressive map visualization can make your projects pop—like a cold soda on a hot summer day. That's where TileServer GL steps in, bringing the heat with a robust, open-source server designed to serve vector and raster maps with GL styles. It's got all the tools you need to make your maps shine, with state-of-the-art server-side rendering via MapLibre GL Native, compatible across MapLibre GL JS, Android, iOS, Leaflet, OpenLayers, GIS via WMTS, and more. To get rolling with this bad boy, you’ll want to have Node.js version 18.17.0 or above, though Node 20 is your best bet—just run `node -v` to check. With native dependencies, installing TileServer GL is a breeze. A simple `npm install -g tileserver-gl` command will get you sorted for server-side raster rendering of vector tiles. Once you have it installed, flex those tech muscles and serve an mbtiles file in a snap with: ``` wget https://github.com/maptiler/tileserver-gl/releases/download/v1.3.0/zurich_switzerland.mbtiles tileserver-gl --file zurich_switzerland.mbtiles ``` Then just pop your browser open to `http://[server ip]:8080` and revel in your cartographic prowess. For those who prefer running things lighter and breezier, TileServer GL also offers a tile server without native dependencies. Opt for `tileserver-gl-light`, and you’ll still get great performance, minus the server-side rasterization with MapLibre GL Native. Perfect for when you’re deploying across diverse environments. Docker your thing? TileServer GL’s got you covered. Skip the install with a Docker setup: ``` wget https://github.com/maptiler/tileserver-gl/releases/download/v1.3.0/zurich_switzerland.mbtiles docker run --rm -it -v $(pwd):/data -p 8080:8080 maptiler/tileserver-gl --file zurich_switzerland.mbtiles ``` Check the results at `http://[server ip]:8080`, and you’re golden. Whether running on a trusty Linux machine or tinkering in the CLI, TileServer GL ensures you have all the utilities you need to bring your maps to life with just a few commands. Full documentation is available at TileServer’s readthedocs page for those long nights when you need a little extra guidance. For anyone looking for a simpler, user-friendly setup, give MapTiler Server a whirl—it's a stellar alternative if you value ease of use just as much as powerful mapping capabilities. So whether you're a seasoned cartographer or a newbie homelabber, TileServer GL is your go-to tool for vector and raster maps, offering flexibility, power, and a touch of style. Get mapping, and let your projects light up like the Fourth of July!