Homelab
Beginner Proxmox Home Server Build: Safe Defaults for Your First Node
A beginner-friendly Proxmox build plan covering hardware, storage, networking, first VMs, backups, updates, and validation before trusting the server.
Docker Compose for Normal People: Run Home Services Without Container Chaos
A plain-English Docker Compose guide for running home services with understandable folders, volumes, ports, environment files, updates, and backups.
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.
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 Much Does a Homelab Really Cost in Electricity?
Electricity cost is simple to estimate: watts x 24 x 365 / 1000 x your kWh rate. The surprise is not one server; it is the combined idle load of router, switches.
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.
Should Old Windows 10 PCs Become Proxmox or Linux Homelab Nodes?
Yes, many Windows 10-era business desktops are excellent homelab nodes if they have reliable storage, enough RAM, stable Ethernet, and acceptable idle power. Do not keep unsupported Windows around for server duties.
Mini PC vs Raspberry Pi for Homelabs: Which One Should Run Your Services?
A practical homelab decision guide for choosing between Raspberry Pi boards and x86 mini PCs for Docker, Proxmox, storage, networking, and always-on services.
Seerr Setup Guide: Media Requests for Plex, Jellyfin, Emby, Sonarr, and Radarr
A practical Seerr setup guide for adding a private media request layer to Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby while handing approved movies and shows to Radarr and Sonarr safely.
Monitoring and Health Checks for a Plex and Arr Homelab
Monitor the outcomes that keep a media stack useful: mounted storage, free space, successful imports, playable files, healthy queues, available transcode resources, current certificates, and restorable backups. Start with one daily report and a few actionable alerts before building a large dashboard. Rights and lawful use: Monitor only systems and media workflows you administer, and […]