Network Security
Nginx Proxy Manager vs Caddy vs Traefik: A Reverse Proxy Decision Tree
A reverse proxy decision tree for homelabs: when to pick Nginx Proxy Manager, Caddy, Traefik, or raw NGINX.
Tailscale vs WireGuard vs Cloudflare Tunnel vs Reverse Proxy
A practical remote access comparison: Tailscale, raw WireGuard, Cloudflare Tunnel, and reverse proxies solve different homelab problems.
Cisco Catalyst C9550 vs C9350: Choose the Right Campus Role
Map C9350 access requirements and an incumbent C9500 design to a C9550 model, then verify software, optics, licensing, failure tests, and rollback before migration.
Cisco Live 2026 Lab Build: A Small-Scale Reference Architecture
A small-scale lab architecture for testing Cisco Live 2026 ideas: segmentation, SD-WAN concepts, Secure Access patterns, telemetry, AgenticOps workflows, and change validation.
Branch Network Design for the AI Era
AI-era branch design needs SD-WAN, SSE, secure access, local resilience, application steering, Wi-Fi capacity, segmentation, and experience telemetry.
A Practical Post-Quantum Readiness Checklist for Network Teams
A practical checklist for network teams preparing for post-quantum cryptography: inventory, risk ranking, platform support, certificates, VPNs, secure boot, and refresh planning.
Resilience Planning for Cisco Networks: Patch, Shield, Replace, or Segment
A practical resilience model for Cisco networks should classify each exposure into patch, shield, replace, or segment, with owners, deadlines, and evidence.
Browser Password Managers vs Dedicated Vaults: How to Choose
Choose Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Apple Passwords, Bitwarden, or 1Password based on devices, sharing, recovery, and threat model.
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.
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.