The Hardware and Software Behind My Ever-Evolving Homelab

My Homelab

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What Is a Homelab?

Imagine having your very own tech playground right at home—a dedicated space where you can tinker with new technologies, experiment with network configurations, and explore innovative software solutions without any real-world risks. That’s exactly what a homelab is! It’s a private IT environment set up within your own four walls, serving as your personal laboratory for learning, problem-solving, and, yes, a little bit of fun. Whether you’re a tech hobbyist or an aspiring IT pro, a homelab lets you push boundaries, make mistakes, and ultimately grow your skills at your own pace.

Homelab Setups: From Simple to Complex

Homelabs come in all shapes and sizes. At the simplest level, you might start with a modest setup—using devices like a Raspberry Pi or an old PC to run basic server services or development environments. These setups are perfect if you’re just dipping your toes into the world of personal IT labs. Maybe you’ve got an old PC gathering dust, or a friend or family member can lend you one.

On the flip side, there are more complex installations. These might include multiple server racks with professional-grade hardware, supporting everything from virtual machines to container orchestration and advanced networking infrastructures. With a little networking (pun intended!), you might even score some pro-grade hardware from companies that regularly upgrade their equipment. It’s all about finding the right balance between your needs, budget, and ambitions.

My Homelab Journey: Evolution & Learning

My homelab adventure started back in 2018 when I needed to tackle a specific challenge. My very first setup was pretty rudimentary — a simple Minecraft server running on an old computer. I’d log in via Remote Desktop on a Windows PC to manage the server (and even juggle other software like an iTunes library). However, that setup quickly proved to be more trouble than it was worth — especially when my parents unplugged the computer to save on electricity (yep, power in Germany isn’t cheap at 45 cents per kWh!).

Then, a friend introduced me to a smarter solution using two Raspberry Pis. One of them hosted a Minecraft server, while the other ran a personal cloud via Nextcloud, secured by a reverse proxy. That experience lit a fire under me. I dove headfirst into exploring various homelab projects, from setting up cloud solutions to integrating smart home features.

Over time, I got hooked on Docker and Docker Compose. The ease of containerization made it simple to swap out hardware and keep everything running smoothly. Today, the ‘backbone’ of my homelab is built on Docker, allowing me to experiment freely and learn from every misstep. Every “oops” moment has been a lesson, and each success has pushed me further into this ever-evolving tech journey.

Current Setup: Hardware & Network Components

My homelab is a living, breathing beast — constantly evolving as I experiment and learn. On the software side, I’m always tweaking, breaking things, and then starting over with a fresh approach because there’s no single “right” way to do it. Most of the software I use is free (unless you opt for proprietary tools), while the hardware is an investment that I update as my budget allows.

The Backbone: Networking

Without a solid network, nothing works. It’s the foundation that connects all your servers and devices, allowing you to access and monitor your projects. My ISP provided me with a FritzBox 5790, which does a great job, but a simpler router — like a TP-Link — would typically suffice. If you’re lucky enough to have Ethernet outlets in nearly every room, investing in a network switch (or even an managed switch to configure your own rules, such as VLANs, QoS, or even a dedicated firewall) can dramatically improve your network security and performance. Of course, you can always start small — a basic router paired with an old laptop or PC was exactly how my journey began!

Key Components of My Setup

  • Raspberry Pi 5 (Production Unit)
    This little powerhouse runs all my critical services, such as Nextcloud and Discord bots. Outfitted with a 256GB SanDisk SD Card, the original fan, power supply, and case, the Pi 5 is perfect for mission-critical tasks thanks to its ultra-low energy consumption of around 15W — even at full throttle.

  • 2x Raspberry Pi 4 (Experimental Units)
    I keep two additional Raspberry Pis for all my experimental projects. One is permanently stationed at home, where I test new software and play around with GPIO pins. The other is my mobile unit — paired with my iPad, it’s the ultimate portable lab. I often run Kali Linux or PiKVM on this unit, enabling me to open a virtual monitor in my browser for remote PCs on the fly.

  • Lenovo Mini PC
    The Lenovo Mini PC is the powerhouse of my homelab and the only device in my setup that’s somewhat upgradable. It handles video transcoding tasks and serves as a storage hub for homelab data and backups, thanks to its 2TB SATA SSD and 2TB NVMe SSD. It also hosts multiple Minecraft servers concurrently! While it isn’t the most energy-efficient (and does contribute to the electricity bill), it was a generous gift that still packs plenty of punch — and similar devices can often be found on eBay for a steal.

  • Synology NAS
    My trusty Synology NAS is dedicated entirely to data storage and backups. It not only safeguards my essential files but also runs backup software that integrates seamlessly with the rest of my homelab. Plus, it mirrors backups to another NAS located offsite and even to a cloud solution, ensuring that data loss is virtually impossible.

  • Hetzner Cloud
    Sometimes, I need to test something quickly without overhauling my entire homelab. That’s where the extremely affordable Hetzner Cloud comes in. It gives me access to top-notch hardware for just a few hours—something my in-house setup can’t always offer. Plus, it’s a great way to make services available to friends or family without compromising my internal homelab’s security. Feel free to give it a try!
    With this link, you’ll also receive a €20/$20 starting credit.

This diverse collection of hardware forms the backbone of my homelab — a dynamic environment where change is the only constant. As soon as my budget allows, I plan to upgrade or tweak parts of this setup, so consider this list a snapshot of my current journey.

Naming Your Homelab Hardware

Once you’ve built up a substantial collection of hardware, you quickly face a new challenge: how do you name everything? A well-thought-out naming scheme not only keeps your setup organized but can also add a personal touch to your homelab. Here are a few tips:

  • Simple Numerical Names:
    If you’re comfortable with numbers, consider a straightforward approach like naming your servers srv-01, srv-02, etc. (“srv” stands for server).

  • Descriptive Names:
    If a piece of hardware runs a single application, name it after that service. For example, if it hosts NextCloud, simply call it “NextCloud.”

  • Creative Themes:
    I personally chose a naming pattern where every device in my network fits into a unified theme. Whether you pick constellations, Hogwarts houses, the seven deadly sins, planets, or any other creative concept, a consistent naming scheme makes managing your devices more fun and memorable.

For even more inspiration, check out these resources:

Experiment and find a naming scheme that suits your style—after all, in a homelab, creativity knows no bounds!

Services Running in My Homelab

My homelab is my ever-evolving playground, and I’m proud to say it’s running a ton of awesome services right now. Here’s a quick rundown:

  • Portainer
    A sleek, intuitive web interface that makes managing Docker containers, images, and networks a breeze.

  • Cloudflare DDNS
    Keeps my homelab accessible from the outside world, no matter what changes occur.

  • authentik
    Serves as my SSO solution, streamlining access to all my other homelab services.

  • openWebUi & Ollama
    These provide a ChatGPT-like interface to interact with local LLMs—super cool for experimenting with AI.

  • Jellyfin
    My go-to media server for movies, music, and recordings (including content from TVHeadend).

  • TVHeadend
    Runs as my TV server, paired with a SAT IP server.

  • Tor Proxy
    Handy when I need to browse through the Tor network.

  • Traefik
    Acts as a reverse proxy for all my web interfaces, effortlessly handling SSL certificates via Cloudflare’s DNS challenge.

  • Immich
    A photo server currently in its testing phase, but it’s already looking very promising.

  • Watchtower
    Ensures my Docker containers are always up to date.

  • Piped
    A YouTube frontend that blocks ads and protects your privacy.

  • Minecraft Server (PaperMC)
    Yep, I host a Minecraft server for some good old gaming fun.

  • Nextcloud
    My personal cloud suite to share photos and files with friends.

  • HP ScanTo
    Directly sends scans from my printer as PDFs to my NAS.

  • EvoMusic
    A Discord Music Bot with Spotify and Apple Music Playlist Support.

  • Pi-hole
    Blocks unwanted ads and keeps my network clutter-free.

  • bpytop
    A modern alternative to htop/top, featuring a more attractive and informative UI.

  • ufw
    My trusty firewall to keep things secure.

  • Borg + Borgmatic
    This combo makes setting up automated, reliable backups a snap.

  • MailCow (hosted on Hetzner Cloud)
    Self-hosted email with full mail suite, control and privacy. No more dependency on big email providers!

  • YOURLS (hosted on Hetzner Cloud)
    Self-hosted URL Shorter like bit.ly, with many plugin options.

Planned and Upcoming Services

I’m not one to rest on my laurels. Here are some projects I’m excited to bring into my homelab:

  • iperf3 Speed Test: For gauging network performance.
  • CryptPad: To further enhance my privacy and collaboration capabilities.
  • Home Assistant & HomeBridge: Revisiting smart home solutions to better integrate and automate my environment.
  • Dashdy: A promising homelab dashboard to help visualize and manage everything.
  • TeamSpeak Server: For a dedicated voice communication channel.
  • fail2ban: To bolster security by automatically banning suspicious IPs.

Security, Upgrades, and Future Plans

Security is a top priority in my homelab. I’m planning to dive deeper into cybersecurity measures to protect all my services. With a continuous stream of innovative software hitting the market, I love testing new applications that could simplify my life even further. I’m also looking forward to upgrading my hardware to better support local LLMs and, fingers crossed, to finally get a fiber-optic connection from my ISP.

I’m even exploring eco-friendly initiatives—like powering my Raspberry Pis with solar energy during the summer. Not only does this help cut down on costs, but it’s also a win for the environment. Sure, my electricity bill is a bit steeper than what you’d pay for a data center server with similar specs, but having all my data at home with blazing-fast 1Gbps internal speeds makes it totally worthwhile (even if my ISP speeds to external data centers aren’t as impressive).

Lessons Learned & Personal Wins

Every homelab journey has its bumps, and mine was no exception. The biggest challenge I faced was figuring out how to enable IPv6 support in Docker. I spent three days troubleshooting before finally cracking it—and now, everything runs smoothly.

On the flip side, my greatest win has been discovering the power of a well-configured SSH setup. By fine-tuning my ~/.ssh/config, I can now connect to any of my servers without having to remember usernames, ports, or key paths. Here’s a snippet of my config that saves me heaps of time:

Host targaryen
    HostName 192.168.1.10
    User daenerys
    Port 7654
    IdentityFile ~/.ssh/targaryen.key

I also keep track of all the changes and configurations in my homelab on GitHub. Although some details remain private for security reasons, I’m planning to open up more of my journey to the community soon.

For backups, I rely on BorgBackup combined with Borgmatic. I’ve set everything up once and then tested restoration scenarios to ensure that my 3-2-1 backup strategy (two offsite backups, plus backups on my NAS and SSD) is rock-solid. When Borg isn’t an option, I turn to iCloud or Time Machine on local Time Capsules.

Inspiration and Community

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the amazing community that fuels my passion. Huge thanks to:

…and to everyone sharing inspiring content on r/selfhosted, r/homelab, and other tech communities. A special shout-out to all the developers and maintainers whose work makes this possible!

Final Thoughts

My homelab is a constantly evolving project that keeps pushing me to learn, experiment, and adapt. Whether it’s breaking things and fixing them, or discovering new tools that simplify everyday tasks, every challenge is an opportunity to grow. If you’ve ever been curious about building your own homelab, I say go for it—the journey is as rewarding as the destination. Embrace the chaos, learn from your mistakes, and most importantly, have fun with it!

Remember, the homelab is always a work in progress, and I’m committed to keeping mine as up-to-date as possible. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next—and I hope it inspires you to start your own!

Happy tinkering, and may your servers always be up!