Linux and Homelab
How Do You Back Up Docker Volumes and Databases Properly?
Back up Docker by backing up the data, configuration, and restore instructions, not the running container. For databases, use application-aware dumps or backup tools, then store those dumps with the volume backups.
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.
Home Assistant OS vs Docker vs VM: Which Install Is Right?
Home Assistant OS is the best default for most people because add-ons, backups, updates, and Supervisor are integrated. Docker is best for operators who already manage Compose and do not need add-ons.
Quick Sync vs NVIDIA vs Intel Arc for Plex and Jellyfin Transcoding
Choose Quick Sync, NVIDIA, or Intel Arc from current codec support, driver and container fit, tone mapping, power, and measured concurrent demand.
Seerr Setup for Plex or Jellyfin, Sonarr, and Radarr
Deploy Seerr with Docker, connect Plex or Jellyfin to Sonarr and Radarr, separate requester rights from administration, and verify a recoverable request path.
Monitoring and Health Checks for a Plex and Arr Homelab
Build useful health checks for a Plex and Arr homelab: storage mounts, imports, transcoding capacity, certificates, backups, queues, and daily reports.
Back Up and Restore Jellyfin and the Media Automation Stack
Protect Jellyfin, Plex, Arr, SABnzbd, and Tdarr state with consistent encrypted backups, an explicit restore order, and an isolated recovery test.
Reverse Proxy for Media Apps: Nginx Proxy Manager, SSL, Access Lists, and Security
A safer way to publish media-app hostnames with Nginx Proxy Manager, SSL, access lists, private defaults, logging, patching, and recovery boundaries.
Plex + Tdarr GPU Strategy: Sharing NVIDIA GPUs Without Hurting Playback
How to share an NVIDIA GPU between Plex and Tdarr without hurting live playback, including worker limits, scheduling, driver checks, and testing.
Radarr Import Lists That Do Not Fill Your Library With Junk
Control Radarr import lists with source tags, staged search behavior, root folders, quality profiles, and manual review before automation creates noise.