I believe technology should simplify life and integrate into daily activities, focusing on practical approaches over premature optimization.

We all face repetitive tasks with the same problems and solutions. My homelab is a hobby project that keeps my coding spirit alive by tackling these challenges.

Practical Homelab Use Cases

This architecture enables:

Secure Remote Access: Access my homelab from anywhere with internet.
Seamless Server Management: SSH into my servers remotely.
On-the-Go Game Streaming: Stream PC games to my phone.
Smart Home Automation & Control: Automate and manually control devices like water heaters, AC, and PC triggers.

homelab architecture

The Technology Powering My Homelab

Here’s a breakdown of the key technologies:

Provisioning & Orchestration:
- Docker: For containerizing applications, ensuring consistent environments and easy deployment by isolating services.
- Ansible: Automates infrastructure provisioning and configuration, allowing quick setup and consistent management of servers.
Secure Network Access:
- WireGuard: A fast, secure VPN protocol providing encrypted access to my internal network from anywhere, acting as a secure tunnel.
Remote PC Streaming:
- Parsec: Delivers high-performance, low-latency game streaming from my PC to devices like my phone, optimized for responsiveness.
Smart Home Ecosystem:
- Home Assistant: The central hub for my smart home, integrating devices and enabling complex automations from a single dashboard.
- Frigate: An open-source NVR with AI-powered object detection from IP cameras.
- Zigbee: A low-power wireless standard creating a robust mesh network for smart home devices, extending range and ensuring reliable communication without relying on Wi-Fi for every gadget.