https://github.com/vidjinnangni/vmslab-homelab
This is an open lab journal where I document the process of building, configuring, and learning about my homelab. Hopefully helpful for fellow beginners!
https://github.com/vidjinnangni/vmslab-homelab
casaos docker homelab homelab-setup homelabbing learning-by-doing nginx-proxy-manager
Last synced: 3 months ago
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This is an open lab journal where I document the process of building, configuring, and learning about my homelab. Hopefully helpful for fellow beginners!
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/vidjinnangni/vmslab-homelab
- Owner: vidjinnangni
- License: other
- Created: 2025-05-06T19:44:49.000Z (5 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2025-05-06T19:48:41.000Z (5 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-05-17T16:11:34.750Z (5 months ago)
- Size: 6.55 MB
- Stars: 0
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
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README
# My Homelab Setup: VMSLAB
This is an open lab journal where I document the process of building, configuring, and learning about my homelab. My goal is to self-host as many services as possible using [Proxmox VE](https://www.proxmox.com/) and containerized applications.
Along the way, I’ll share my mistakes, optimizations, scripts, and setup guides to help other homelab enthusiasts, especially beginners, get started and learn by example. **Hopefully helpful for fellow beginners**!
[](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
**Project status:** ALPHA
This is a work in progress. I still have a ton to update and add.
## Repository structure
```
VMSLAB/
├── Images/ # Diagrams, screenshots, and visual assets
├── Resources/ # Resources for Homelabing
├── Stack.md # Features all the self-hosted apps running in my homelab
└── README.md # Project documentation
```
## Hardware
### Servers
#### Dell OptiPlex 7050
Serves as the main server for my homelab.
- **CPU:** Intel Core i7 6700 @ 3,4 GHz
- **RAM:** 32GB DDR4 SDRAM
- **Storage:** 256GB SSD (Boot Drive) + 4TB External Drive (`/mnt/storage`)
**Operating System:** Proxmox PVE
### Networking
Current Setup:
- **Internet Connection:** Starlink Standard (motorized kit), providing global satellite-based broadband access via the Starlink satellite constellation.
- **Router:**
- TP-Link Archer C6 replaces the default Starlink router.
- Handles NAT, DHCP, firewall, and Wi-Fi access (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz).
- Connected to Starlink via the official Ethernet adapter.
- **Switch:**
- TP-Link TL-SG605E (5-Port Gigabit Smart Switch) used for wired device distribution.
- Enables VLAN configuration, QoS, and traffic monitoring via its web interface.
- **Main Server Connection:** Dell OptiPlex 7050, connected via Ethernet to the switch for stable performance and low latency.
- **LAN Devices:** Various client devices (laptops, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs) connect via Wi-Fi or Ethernet through the router and switch. Devices access both the Internet and internal services hosted on the main server.
- **Subnet Structure:**
- Internal network uses 192.168.0.0/24 private addressing (default for TP-Link routers).
- DHCP server on the Archer C6 manages IP distribution for all LAN clients.
```
[Starlink Standard Motorized Kit]
│
[Ethernet Adapter]
│
[TP-Link Archer C6 – WAN Port]
│
[TP-Link Archer C6 – LAN Port 1]
│
[TL-SG605E (Switch)]
├── PC
├── NAS / Network Printer
├── Smart TV
└── Game Console
```
---
## PVE
My homelab runs on **Proxmox VE (Virtual Environment)**, an open-source virtualization platform that supports both:
- containers (LXC)
- and virtual machines (KVM).
I’ve structured the setup to focus primarily on **lightweight, containerized services using LXC**, while keeping a few virtual machines for specific or isolated use cases.
#### **Host overview**
| **Component** | **Description** | **Mount Point** |
|----------------|-----------------------------|-----------------|
| **Proxmox Host** | Main virtualization server | |
| **Boot drive** | 256GB SSD | |
| **Storage** | External USB HDD (4TB) | /mnt/storage |
The Proxmox host runs on a dedicated machine with a 256 GB SSD for the OS and LXC root filesystems, while larger data and container volumes are mounted from external USB drives.
### 📦 LXC Containers
LXC containers form the core of my infrastructure. They are lightweight, fast to deploy, and well-suited for hosting most of my self-hosted services. Here’s an overview of my current containers:
| **LXC ID** | **Hostname** | **Role / Main App(s)** |
|------------|----------------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| 100 | `npm` | Nginx Proxy Manager (reverse proxy & SSL management) |
| 101 | `pihole` | DNS Filtering + Network-wide Ad Blocking |
| 102 | `portainer` | UI for managing Docker containers |
| 103 | `docker-apps` | Host for multiple containerized services (via Docker) |
| 104 | `postgres` | PostgreSQL database server |
| 105 | `mariadb` | MariaDB database server |
| 106 | `minio` | S3-compatible Object Storage |
| 107 | `nextcloud` | File Sync & Collaboration Platform |
| 108 | `immich` | Self-hosted Photo Library (like Google Photos) |
| 109 | `torrent` | qBittorrent for torrent downloads |
| 110 | `podman` | Experimental container runtime environment (Docker alt) |
| 111 | `samba` | SMB file sharing server |
| 112 | `k3s` | Lightweight Kubernetes cluster for experimentation |
This container-first approach keeps the system **lightweight**, **with low overhead and quick snapshot/backup capabilities**.
### 💻 Virtual Machines (VMs)
I also run a couple of VMs for use cases where containers are less suitable or when isolation is critical.
| **VM ID** | **Hostname** | **OS / Purpose** |
|-----------|------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|
| 1000 | `ubuntu-server` | Ubuntu Server 22.04 used as a secondary Docker host (for testing and sandboxing) |
| 1001 | `umbrelos` | UmbrelOS – for fun and testing |
### **🗂️ Homelab File Structure**
```bash
/opt/homelab/
├── docker/
│ └── services/ # Docker Compose files for each app
├── scripts/ # Utility scripts (backup, update, restore...)
/mnt/
├── storage/ # 4TB USB Drive – media / downloads / backups
```
This directory layout helps keep the homelab organized and maintainable.
Docker-related configurations are isolated under `/opt/homelab/docker`, while general-purpose automation and utility scripts live under `/opt/homelab/scripts`.
External drives are mounted under `/mnt/` for storing media, backups, and persistent data.
---
## 🚀 Future Plans
This project is currently in an **Alpha** stage — it's fully functional, but constantly evolving as I learn and experiment.
**Planned improvements and upgrades include:**
- 🖥️ **Adding more hardware.** Planning to expand the lab with additional compute nodes, such as a mini PC, a low-power server (e.g., Dell OptiPlex or Intel NUC), or second-hand rackmount hardware.
- 🔗 **Building a small cluster.** Exploring Proxmox clustering to manage multiple nodes and enable features like live migration, HA (High Availability), and distributed workloads.
- 📦 **Deep dive into Kubernetes.** Going beyond basic Docker usage by setting up a full Kubernetes (k3s/k8s) cluster for orchestrating containerized services across nodes.
- 🛠️ **Centralized configuration & automation.** Introducing tools like Ansible or Terraform to automate deployments, backups, monitoring, and upgrades.
- 🌐 **Network segmentation and security.** Refining LAN setup with VLANs, stricter firewall rules, and possibly adopting pfSense or OPNSense for better network control.
- 📊 **Improved monitoring and observability.** Setting up Prometheus, Grafana, or Netdata for real-time insight into system performance and services.
## 🤝 Contributing
If you have suggestions or want to contribute, feel free to open an issue or a pull request. Feedback is always welcome!
---
## License
This project is licensed under the [Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).