Homelab Project
25th March 2023
Introduction
I wanted to build a Homelab in order to host services that my family and I could use, as well as create an environment where I could learn technical skills that I can use in the workplace. I had been doing research on Homelabs and set out on my plan to set up a Homelab using old hardware that I had. Being relatively new to Homelabs, this project gave me the opportunity to dive in deep and learn a plethora of IT subjects, from VMs and containerization to networking and server maintenance.
Hardware
The Server - Old PC
- Corsair 32GB 3000Mhz RAM kit
- Intel i5 10400KF
- 250GB SSD for Proxmox
- 1TB Hard disk for ZFS storage
Pfsense Firewall - Lenovo Thinkcentre M72e
- Intel i3-3220T
- 8GB RAM
- 120GB SSD
Wireguard VPN - Racknerd.com KVM VPS
- Dual Core CPU
- 512MB RAM
Networking
- Cloudflare Argo Tunnels
Cloudflare allows me to access my services remotely, monitor susipicious activity, restrict access via IP and add authenitcaiton to my homelab services.
- Wireguard VPN
Using my selfhosted Wireguard VPN and Cloudflare I can create a secure tunnel for remote access to my services when I am connected to public networks.
- Pfsense Firewall
I set up a Pfsense Firewall in order to control the network traffic within my home, I am planning to set up VLans on my home network for extra security. Using Pfsense as a firewall will give me the functionality I need to achieve this.
Software and Services
- Server
- My Proxmox hypervisor is running the following VM's:
- Ubuntu 22.04.2 Server - DockerBuntu
- Ubuntu 22.04.1 Desktop - MinecraftBuntu
- DockerBuntu
DockerBuntu runs the majority of the services used by my family, I monitor them and run cron jobs using uptime-kuma.
- MinecraftBuntu
MinecraftBuntu is running a minecraft server for me and my girlfriend, gucamole allows my girlfriend to remotely start the server when I am not around.
