Homelab

What You’ll Need A server or virtual machine (minimum: 1 GB RAM and 1 CPU). Docker installed on your server. A static IP or domain name for accessing the password manager. Step 1: Decide Between Bitwarden and Vaultwarden Bitwarden Official version with robust features and frequent updates. Requires more resources and supports paid features like OTP generation. Vaultwarden (formerly Bitwarden_rs) Lightweight, community-built alternative to Bitwarden. Perfect for homelabs or low-resource servers. Compatible with most Bitwarden clients. For most homelab users, Vaultwarden is recommended due to its lightweight nature. ...

What You’ll Need A server or virtual machine to host the WireGuard VPN. Basic knowledge of networking and port forwarding. A static public IP or dynamic DNS for remote access. Step 1: Install WireGuard Update and install WireGuard: sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y wireguard Verify the installation: wg --version Step 2: Generate Keys Generate the server’s private and public keys: wg genkey | tee server_private.key | wg pubkey > server_public.key Save the keys securely: The private key will be in server_private.key, and the public key will be in server_public.key. ...

What You’ll Need A server or device to act as the backup source. BorgBackup installed on the source. Rclone for cloud storage synchronization. A cloud storage account (e.g., Google Drive, AWS S3, Backblaze). Step 1: Install BorgBackup Update and install BorgBackup: sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y borgbackup Verify the installation: borg --version Step 2: Initialize a Borg Repository Create a directory for backups: mkdir -p ~/backups/borg Initialize the Borg repository: ...

What You’ll Need At least two servers or virtual machines (referred to as primary and backup nodes). A Linux-based OS installed on both (Ubuntu 20.04 or newer is recommended). A shared virtual IP address (VIP) for failover. Step 1: Install Keepalived Log into both nodes and update the system: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y Install Keepalived on both nodes: sudo apt install -y keepalived Verify the installation: ...

What You’ll Need At least two nodes (one master, one worker) with Linux installed (e.g., Ubuntu 20.04 or newer). 2 GB RAM and 2 CPUs per node (minimum recommended). Basic networking knowledge. Step 1: Prepare the Nodes Update each node: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y Install required dependencies: sudo apt install -y curl apt-transport-https Set unique hostnames for each node: On the master node: sudo hostnamectl set-hostname master-node On the worker node(s): ...

What You’ll Need A server or virtual machine with Docker installed. Basic understanding of networking and file permissions. An SSH client for testing SFTP connections. Step 1: Install Docker (If Not Installed) Update the system packages: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y Install Docker: sudo apt install -y docker.io Enable and start Docker: sudo systemctl enable docker && sudo systemctl start docker Step 2: Set Up the SFTP Directory Create a directory structure for SFTP users: ...

Proxmox Virtual Environment (Proxmox VE) is a powerful, open-source platform for virtualization. It allows you to run virtual machines (VMs) and containers efficiently, making it perfect for homelabs. This guide walks you through deploying a Proxmox VE server, enabling you to consolidate workloads and experiment with virtualized environments. What You’ll Need A dedicated machine for Proxmox VE (minimum specs: 4 GB RAM, 64-bit processor, and 32 GB storage). Proxmox VE ISO file from the Proxmox download page. A USB drive (at least 8 GB) for creating bootable media. A reliable internet connection. Step 1: Prepare the Installation Media Download the Proxmox VE ISO file from the official website. Use a tool like Rufus or balenaEtcher to create a bootable USB drive with the Proxmox ISO. Step 2: Install Proxmox VE Insert the bootable USB into your server and boot from it. ...

Building a homelab is an exciting way to explore technology and learn new skills. However, choosing the right hardware can make or break your experience. Whether you’re hosting a Pi-hole server, deploying Kubernetes, or running a media server, this guide will help you select the best hardware for your homelab needs. Key Factors to Consider 1. Purpose of the Homelab Identify your goals: Basic Projects: DNS servers, lightweight apps, and monitoring tools. Intermediate Projects: Virtualization, Docker, and small Kubernetes clusters. Advanced Projects: High-performance computing, large-scale storage, and multi-node clusters. 2. Hardware Budget Your budget will dictate your hardware choices: ...

What You’ll Need A dedicated device or virtual machine to install pfSense. A basic understanding of networking concepts. Access to your home network’s router for setup. Step 1: Install pfSense Download pfSense ISO: Visit the official pfSense website and download the ISO. Choose the correct architecture for your hardware (e.g., AMD64). Create a Bootable USB Drive: sudo dd if=/path/to/pfsense.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=1M Replace /path/to/pfsense.iso with the path to the ISO file. Replace /dev/sdX with the correct USB drive identifier. Install pfSense on Your Device: ...

A well-designed network is essential for a secure and efficient homelab. VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) allow you to segment your network into separate logical groups, improving security, performance, and manageability. In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of VLANs and walk you through setting them up in your homelab. What You’ll Need A managed switch that supports VLANs (e.g., TP-Link, Netgear, or Ubiquiti). A router or firewall capable of VLAN tagging (e.g., pfSense, OPNSense). Basic understanding of IP addresses and subnetting. Step 1: Understand VLAN Basics What Are VLANs? VLANs divide a physical network into multiple virtual networks. Devices on different VLANs cannot communicate directly without a router or Layer 3 switch. ...