$ self-host everything

Your data.
Your infrastructure.
Your rules.

Practical guides for running Proxmox, Docker, and self-hosted services on budget hardware. Built from a real homelab, not a sponsored lab.

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Real configs, real services Aaron's actual running stack No review units, no sponsors Affiliate links disclosed
// what I actually run

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Setup Guides

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Proxmox Networking Explained: Bridges, VLANs, and Firewall Basics
networking

Proxmox Networking Explained: Bridges, VLANs, and Firewall Basics

How networking actually works inside Proxmox: virtual bridges, Linux bridges vs OVS, VLAN tagging, static IPs, and the built-in firewall. Written for budget homelabbers who want more than the default vmbr0 setup.
How to Pass Through USB Devices in Proxmox (VMs and LXC)
proxmox

How to Pass Through USB Devices in Proxmox (VMs and LXC)

Pass a USB drive, scanner, or other device from your Proxmox host into a VM or LXC container. Covers both the web UI method and the config file approach, with the Paperless-ngx scanner use case as the example.
Running a Local AI with Ollama on Your Homelab
docker

Running a Local AI with Ollama on Your Homelab

Set up Ollama on Docker to run large language models locally (Llama 3, Mistral, Gemma, and more), with a web UI for chatting and an API for integrations.

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How Much Does a Homelab Actually Cost? (Power, Hardware, Time)
cost analysis

How Much Does a Homelab Actually Cost? (Power, Hardware, Time)

Year-one total cost of ownership for a budget homelab: hardware, electricity, time, storage, recurring fees, and the upgrade spiral. With real numbers.
WireGuard vs Tailscale: Which Remote Access Solution for Your Homelab?
networking

WireGuard vs Tailscale: Which Remote Access Solution for Your Homelab?

A direct comparison of WireGuard and Tailscale for homelab remote access. Which one to run based on your setup, your patience for configuration, and how often you actually need to get in.
Best GPU for a Self-Hosted AI Homelab (Used 3060 vs 3090 vs P40 vs Arc)
hardware

Best GPU for a Self-Hosted AI Homelab (Used 3060 vs 3090 vs P40 vs Arc)

A practical buyer's guide to GPU selection for local LLMs: the used 3060 12GB, 3090, P40, and Intel Arc compared on VRAM, noise, power draw, and real inference speed.
Best Mini PC for Home Assistant in 2026 (HAOS, Containers, and Heavy Add-ons)
hardware

Best Mini PC for Home Assistant in 2026 (HAOS, Containers, and Heavy Add-ons)

The opinionated 2026 buyer's guide to mini PC hardware for Home Assistant: five picks across price tiers, real performance notes, and the accessories that make the whole thing work.
Nginx Proxy Manager vs Caddy vs Traefik: Which Reverse Proxy for Your Homelab?
networking

Nginx Proxy Manager vs Caddy vs Traefik: Which Reverse Proxy for Your Homelab?

A direct comparison of the three most common reverse proxies for self-hosting. Which one to pick based on how you actually run your homelab.
Homelab Security Basics: What You Need to Lock Down
networking

Homelab Security Basics: What You Need to Lock Down

The practical security checklist for homelabs: what actually matters, what's overkill, and what most guides skip entirely.