Homelab
Remote Access Without Opening Router Ports: Safer Homelab Access With Tailscale and Cloudflare Tunnel
Reach homelab services remotely with tailnets, tunnels, access policies, DNS, MFA, and clear rules for what should stay private.
One Shared Database Server or One Database Per App?
For most small homelabs, a shared database server is easier to back up, monitor, and secure once you understand it. Per-app database containers are simpler at first and reduce coupling, but they.
Reverse Proxy Setup Without Security Mistakes: HTTPS for Homelab Apps
A security-first reverse proxy setup guide for homelab services, covering DNS, TLS, access controls, logging, updates, and what not to expose.
How to Build Cheap Offsite Backup at a Friend or Family Member's House
Use a small NAS, mini PC with storage, or external-drive host at the remote house, connect it with WireGuard or Tailscale, encrypt the backups before they leave your home, and rate-limit.
What Not to Self-Host in 2026: A Practical Risk List for Homelabs
A realistic self-hosting risk guide covering email, passwords, identity, family-critical data, public dashboards, backups, and safer alternatives.
2.5GbE vs 10GbE: Which Home Network Upgrade Is Worth It?
Most homes should start with 2.5GbE for NAS, mini PCs, and Wi-Fi 6E/7 access points because it is cheap, cool, and works over existing Cat5e in many runs. Choose 10GbE when large.
Matter in 2026: Buy, Wait, or Bridge?
Matter is useful now, but not universally better than native integrations or existing hubs. Decide when to buy native Matter gear, wait, or bridge what you own.
What Is the Right VLAN Layout for a Beginner Homelab?
Start with four networks: trusted devices, guest devices, IoT/smart-home devices, and management or lab infrastructure. Add more only when a new trust boundary is clear, because every VLAN also adds firewall, DNS.
Zigbee vs Thread for Home Assistant: Which Mesh Should You Build?
Zigbee remains the practical mesh for many Home Assistant sensors and switches, while Thread is the Matter-forward path. The right answer is often both.
OPNsense, pfSense, UniFi, or Consumer Router: Which Should Run Your Homelab?
Use a consumer router if you need simplicity, UniFi if you want integrated routing/switching/AP management, and OPNsense or pfSense if firewall policy, VPNs, VLANs, logging, and control matter more than polish.