What is a Homelab?

Before I get into my setup for my homelab, let’s define the term “homelab”. Homelabs typically involve virtualization environments for the purposes of:

  • home data management (photos, videos, music, etc.)
  • smart home automation (lights, thermostats, etc.)
  • home network management (routers, switches, firewalls, etc.)
  • home media streaming (Plex, JellyFin, Emby, etc.)

A homelab is a virtualized environment that is used to test, develop, and deploy applications. It’s a great way to learn new technologies, and it’s a great way to learn new things about your hardware. It’s also a great way to learn new things about Linux (I’ve hopped on several job interviews and even placed it on my resume.

What About VPS?

Sure: you could use a VPS to host on someone else’s server. Solutions exist already like:

The list goes on…

In fact, for the last 2 years, I’d been using a small service based out of the Netherlands called Appbox. The service was great; it accepted cryptocurrency, and it worked out great for downloading content from abroad.