If you'd like to follow this series in detail, please visit the dedicated page below, where everything is neatly organized for easy reference:
Homelab – Tracking My Digital Journey
Stephane Thirion
Given the extensive scope, it's challenging to cover all my setup in one single blog post. Therefore, I've decided to split the content into three distinct parts:
- Virtualization: Exploring the roles and purposes of my virtual machines.
- Docker & Containers: Diving into my Docker infrastructure and container strategies.
- SamanthAI: Presenting the dedicated system hosting the various Large Language Models (LLMs) I regularly use.
Here is the -= VIRTU =- diagram, you can see the full diagram as I fill it with the link above
This first part focuses specifically on virtualization. Currently, my setup consists of two Proxmox hosts, both Dell PowerEdge R540s. The virtual machines themselves are hosted on shared storage provided by a NAS. However, I won’t delve deeper into the storage configuration here; that topic deserves its own detailed post in the future.
I've categorized my virtual machines into four groups:
- Microsoft
- Ubuntu
- Citrix
- Others
Microsoft VMs
I maintain two Windows 11 Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) setups primarily for remote work. These allow me to work seamlessly from any location, installing and configuring customer components as if I were physically present. The older Windows 11 VM is currently powered off and will soon be retired in favor of my primary Windows 11 VDI.
- DC01 and DC02: Active Directory domain controllers that also handle internal DNS services.
- PKI01: Manages the internal Public Key Infrastructure, issuing certificates for internal SSL URLs, load balancers, and other non-public resources.
- Parall01 to Parall06: Constitute a Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) infrastructure. I’m actively testing and optimizing these VMs to assess their performance for upcoming projects.
- RDSHWin2022: A multi-user OS environment for testing applications and deployment scenarios.
- DayZ01: Dedicated gaming server for DayZ.
Ubuntu VMs
These VMs exclusively run server versions of Ubuntu, all updated to the latest Long-Term Support (LTS) version, 24.02.
- Docker01 to Docker07: This cluster makes up my Docker Swarm infrastructure, replacing what previously required around 50 individual VMs. Most standalone services have now transitioned into Docker containers, significantly streamlining resource management. Docker01, Docker02, and Docker03 function as manager nodes, while Docker04 through Docker07 are dedicated worker nodes.
- Ansible01: This server automates updates and maintenance tasks across all machines, virtual or physical. Previously used for VM deployment with Ansible and vSphere; future plans include updating scripts for Proxmox VM deployments.
- Bot01: Runs multiple bot instances and cron jobs, including daily and nightly glucose monitoring tasks for my son, and daily Bitcoin price probability analyses.
- Teslamate: A dedicated Grafana instance tracking detailed statistics for our Tesla vehicle. More info bellow :
teslamate-org
- DB01: Hosts all databases including MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, and VectorPGSQL.
- Passmgr: Runs a Bitwarden instance providing secure password management for my family.
Citrix VMs
These VMs are temporary solutions addressing current challenges with my NetScaler SDX 11500.
- NS01 and NS02: NetScaler instances configured for load balancing, content switching, WAF, and SSL offloading, set up in active/passive high availability.
- ADM01: A NetScaler management console primarily utilized for statistics and monitoring.
NetScaler Appliance
- Netscaler SDX 11500: This dedicated appliance hosts my live NetScaler instances and operates within a DMZ, offering enhanced security compared to running virtual instances within Proxmox, even with separate VLANs. There's nothing like a physical separation between zones for true security. Additionally, the appliance hosts test instances and environments that support migration efforts for customer NetScalers, enabling me to start migrations with a solid, established plan.
Other VMs
- ProxBS: The Proxmox Backup Server handles all VM backups and synchronizes them offsite.
- ProxDM: The Proxmox Datacenter Management system, still in alpha, currently lacks several features compared to vCenter but is actively improving.
Stay tuned for the next part of the series, where I'll explore my Docker and container strategies in greater depth!
