Recently, I had the opportunity to present at Debian Day Natal 2024, where I shared my journey of transforming a mini PC, purchased from AliExpress, into a complete homelab server. Using Proxmox, a Debian-based operating system, I managed to set up a series of services that facilitate both my personal and professional life. If you’re a free software enthusiast and want to explore the possibilities of a homelab, this article is for you.
What Is Proxmox and Why Use It?#
In my talk, I started by explaining what Proxmox is. For those unfamiliar, Proxmox is a Debian-based virtualization platform that allows for simple and efficient creation and management of containers and virtual machines. Its installation is straightforward and offers a powerful web interface, accessible even from your phone.
My Homelab and Hardware Used#
For this project, I used a mini PC with the following hardware:
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600H
- Memory: 16GB RAM
- Storage: 500GB SSD
If you’re interested, you can find this mini PC on AliExpress.
This setup allowed me to run several services in containers and VMs, meeting my needs with plenty of room to spare. However, if you’re looking for a more compact and affordable solution, you might consider using a Raspberry Pi with Pimox, which brings Proxmox functionalities to Raspberry Pi hardware.
My Homelab and Tailscale#
I use Proxmox as the foundation for my homelab, where I run various services that I can access from anywhere. To simplify remote access, I use Tailscale, a VPN solution that makes the connection secure and easy to set up on different devices. During the demonstration, I used my phone to show the Proxmox Web, explaining how I manage containers and VMs.
Services that Transform the Homelab#
1. AdGuard:
The first service I presented was AdGuard. It’s an ad and tracking blocker that protects the entire network. Additionally, I showed how I use the rule “rewrite” feature to create my own local domains, such as pve.pandora:8006 and photoprism.pandora:80.
2. Paperlessngx: This is the service I use to digitize and organize documents such as invoices and personal papers. Paperlessngx eliminates the need to keep stacks of paper, allowing for efficient and accessible management of my documents.
3. Photoprism: Photoprism is my intelligent photo manager. Even on limited hardware, it can perform facial searches and index all my photos and videos. This makes organizing and searching for images extremely easy and efficient.
4. VSCode Web: Lastly, I presented VSCode Web. With it, I can program remotely, using just a tablet or phone, and execute terminal commands directly on the server. This greatly facilitates development, especially when I need to compile and test code quickly.
Automating with tteck and Future Expansions#
To make things even easier, I finished by showing the list of automated scripts from tteck, which allow for quick creation of various services in Proxmox. Although I didn’t mention it during the talk, it’s also worth exploring other tools that can be integrated into your homelab, such as:
- Nextcloud: An excellent solution for file storage and synchronization.
- Nginx Proxy Manager: For managing reverse proxies easily and intuitively.
- Jellyfin Media Server: An open-source solution for media streaming.
- Vaultwarden: A secure and efficient password manager.
I hope this article inspires you to explore the world of homelabs. With a little creativity and the right tools, the possibilities are endless!