My First Homelab by axelarator

View this thread on steempeak.com
· @axelarator · (edited)
$0.42
My First Homelab
![20171113_170710.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVs2QgcZbzX1G6qJx46was6KDMU3HxceiPw6Fk1dtFNAM/20171113_170710.jpg)
I have finally started getting more into building servers and exploring the whole world of "homelabbing." Things have changed since my [old post](https://steemit.com/technology/@axelarator/home-vpn-setup-idea) about a home vpn setup. I realized that the DD-WRT firmware I flashed to it doesn't support OpenVPN and only PPTP. It was upsetting but I had other uses for the router too. My other use was to set it up as a switch so that I can connect multiple devices to the network and add my own layer of security. 

Being in my new apartment at school, I noticed the Wi-Fi is VERY insecure. That's why I purchased [a VPN](https://steemit.com/technology/@axelarator/finally-got-a-vpn) to add some extra security to myself and roommates. I also noticed on the r/homelab subreddit that a lot of people use VPNs for certain systems, but they're built into the hardware they use. I was intrigued and wanted to learn more. 

<h3>Reddit Is A Dangerous Place</h3>
I spend a lot of time on networking and security subreddits like r/networking, r/netsec, r/netsecstudents, and r/homelab. These have taught me so much and have gotten me interested in starting my own lab.  A lot of college students also have their own labs which is nice to see because it includes more affordable equipment and a much smaller scale. 

<h1>Use What You Have First</h1>
Before I go out and buy a bunch of equipment like a higher end router, 8 port switch, I wanted to see what I could accomplish with my current router. Since it is running DD-WRT, I have tons of options already. But since I don't have a dedicated server yet, there isn't much of a use for it. For now I just turned it into a switch and changed the LAN subnet to something outside of the main router's subnet. The WAN address connects to the main network, but the LAN network is in it's own subnet. Luckily my VPN has a guide for setting up a PPTP in routers. So as an added benefit, my switch now has a built in proxy that tunnels my connection somewhere else. Hooray!
>I eventually do want some higher end hardware so I can get used to using enterprise level equipment. Maybe a Unifi Switch8 and an EdgeRouter X to start out. 

I'm planning on reviving my old system which runs an i5-3570k to be a Proxmox server. It'll have a drive for media storage and another drive for multiple VMs. So once I get those drives (probably for xmas), I can have a "real" server. I can't wait!
👍  , , , , ,
properties (23)
post_id17,617,566
authoraxelarator
permlinkmy-first-homelab
categorytechnology
json_metadata"{"app": "steemit/0.1", "format": "markdown", "image": ["https://steemitimages.com/DQmVs2QgcZbzX1G6qJx46was6KDMU3HxceiPw6Fk1dtFNAM/20171113_170710.jpg"], "links": ["https://steemit.com/technology/@axelarator/home-vpn-setup-idea", "https://steemit.com/technology/@axelarator/finally-got-a-vpn"], "tags": ["technology", "blog", "education", "happy", "reddit"]}"
created2017-11-13 23:03:48
last_update2017-11-13 23:04:15
depth0
children2
net_rshares204,867,020,752
last_payout2017-11-20 23:03:48
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.325 SBD
curator_payout_value0.097 SBD
pending_payout_value0.000 SBD
promoted0.000 SBD
body_length2,533
author_reputation2,068,023,909,501
root_title"My First Homelab"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 SBD
percent_steem_dollars10,000
author_curate_reward""
vote details (6)
@kenny-crane ·
$0.20
Sounds like you're having fun and learning a lot while setting up your hardware.  Any thoughts on the free VPN provided by the Opera browser?  Networking and homelabbing is not my area of expertise and I'm hoping that by using Opera I am getting at least some benefit.
👍  , , , ,
properties (23)
post_id17,621,276
authorkenny-crane
permlinkre-axelarator-my-first-homelab-20171114t001841241z
categorytechnology
json_metadata"{"app": "steemit/0.1", "tags": ["technology"]}"
created2017-11-14 00:18:39
last_update2017-11-14 00:18:39
depth1
children1
net_rshares99,974,933,295
last_payout2017-11-21 00:18:39
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.163 SBD
curator_payout_value0.040 SBD
pending_payout_value0.000 SBD
promoted0.000 SBD
body_length268
author_reputation75,277,756,381,416
root_title"My First Homelab"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 SBD
percent_steem_dollars10,000
author_curate_reward""
vote details (5)
@axelarator ·
$0.16
I used to use Opera and used the VPN feature. I thought it was great and didn't experience any issues. As for the security, I didn't have any doubts about my data being stolen. The companies who operate the VPN seem to be legit.
👍  
properties (23)
post_id17,621,895
authoraxelarator
permlinkre-kenny-crane-re-axelarator-my-first-homelab-20171114t003138491z
categorytechnology
json_metadata"{"app": "steemit/0.1", "tags": ["technology"]}"
created2017-11-14 00:31:39
last_update2017-11-14 00:31:39
depth2
children0
net_rshares79,517,862,879
last_payout2017-11-21 00:31:39
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.122 SBD
curator_payout_value0.040 SBD
pending_payout_value0.000 SBD
promoted0.000 SBD
body_length228
author_reputation2,068,023,909,501
root_title"My First Homelab"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 SBD
percent_steem_dollars10,000
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)