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I don't fully understand how/why you guys selfhost some apps
  • Can't you just install this type of app to your phone or pc?

    For one instance of app, it's possible to install it onto a single machine.

    Things get tricky when you want to access the data from multiple devices. Even trickier, when several people want to access it. After a certain point, it's easier to have a "cloud" solution. And since "cloud" is just somebody's else computer, why not make this a computer YOU own?

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    Hi, what is the point of buying a domain to access devices in LAN via Wireguard?
  • Lack of time or interest (or both) in: managing local DNS, using .home.arpa and running own CA.

    It's tricky (especially running your own CA in a proper way), and not everyone wants to do it. Also, running it in a proper way it requires knowledge, and some people don't have it...

    Actually, distribution of your root CA certificate is not that difficult.

    NOTE: this addresses strictly OP's question about LAN-only access. External access or varying devices used to access is a completely different story.

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    Good email provider
    • Google Workspace. Not the cheapest, and also by Google (although they claim they don't mine as much data from business accounts)
    • Zoho, $1.25/mo
    • iCloud+, $0.99/mo, but a bit limited (don't remember whether they have catch-all etc).
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    Can Wi-Fi signals affect SBC type device?
  • In theory, yes. That's why most devices have those FCC / CE / etc stamps - these seals show that they have undergone EM compatibility testing and are most likely OK.

    In this case, however, this looks like a kernel panic (as already said).

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    Do you monitor network traffic? How?
  • Do you monitor network traffic?

    Generally, no. But I seriously restrict container networking, most of my containers are unable to reach internet, unless absolutely necessary. Also, my firewall is not super-restrictive, but it is different from defaults :)

    Sometimes I do some monitoring though.

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    selfhosted email server, AT HOME with residential IP
  • Possible - yes.

    Do you want it? Probably, no. Especially, SMTP. Better use something like Zeptomail (cheapest) for delivery.

    You can still self-host the receiver.

    Mandatory do-not-self-host-at-home notice: custom domain at skiff.com is free, iCloud+ Mail is $0.99 and Zoho is $1.25/mo.

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    Are there any concerns/risks to using Watchtower?
  • Yes, there are risks:

    • First, updates can break things. Already explained here.
    • Second, exposing Docker socket to Watchtower means you have to trust it ultimately. Any vulnerability in WT can lead to whole system compromise.

    Personally, I use DIUN. It just sends me notifications about available updates. I update things manually later. My system is pretty well isolated from outside world, so no need to hurry.
    On a VPS, I would prefer a different approach though.

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    What can you do with your own domain name in regards to self hosting?
    • good-looking domains instead of IPs
    • tons of subdomains instead of ports
    • universally recognized TLS certs via Let's Encrypt. DNS challenges are the way to go - you don't even have to expose your HTTP server
    • dynamic DNS, again available via API
    • inbox@yourdomain.com (better not to self-host, but to use an email provider)
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    MATER v0.0.1 Release. Maintenance, Asset, Tracking, Equipment, Registry. (aCar-like)
  • Consider adding couple of screenshots or even a small sped-up GIF to the GitHub, right at the top. Also, GDrive video is loading extremely slow, better host it YouTube/Vimeo.

    Congrats!

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    How do you efficiently document your self hosted journey?
  • Knowledgebase + OIDplus + scripts/configs in git repo.

    I chose local instance of Wordpress for my knowledgebase a decade ago. Today I'd probably use Bookstack.

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    How do you use NUC in homelab?
  • Not exactly a NUC - a fanless MSI Cubi N with Celeron N4000.

    Bare metal Ubuntu Server running nginx + docker-compose for everything other.

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    Is it worth the bother (or even possible) to encrypt LAN traffic with NGINX Proxy Manager?
  • Everything in my LAN is TLS-protected. Primarily because of convenience (no 'unsafe' warnings), unification (all I do everywhere is TLS). Also for learning purposes (I like challenges). Security is on the last place here (but is still important to me).

    Probably your main threat is not people, but malware. Especially since they are not tech-savy. Remember how $35M of crypto assets were recently stolen: in the beginning it was a LastPass engineer who did not update his Plex instance.

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    Documentation system for IT infrastructure
  • Probably not your case, but that's what I use for my homelab:

    • OIDplus for keeping OIDs, IPs, .home.arpa subdomains etc
    • local-only Wordpress as a knowledgebase. Today I'd probably chose Bookstack, but it did not exist 11 years ago....
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    Security Concerns: Exposing My Local RESTful API to the Internet via Cloudflare Tunnel – Is My Home Network at Risk?
  • A DMZ is always recommended in such cases.

    > Should I create a sub network and get a raspberry pi to host these apps?

    Yes, it's always better. However, Pi may be overpriced now. Take a look at NUC-sized miniPCs, for roughly the same price you'll get much more computing power.

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    Be honest: Are you doing SelfHosting just for the sake of it - or do you have apps, that really improve your daily life?
  • Well, I'm running my own CA/PKI just for the sake of it. Still very useful and more private and convenient for my homelab+.

    As for apps themselves, some of them are really useful to me:

    • bookmarks (own software)
    • Samba/WebDAV
    • knowledgebase (WordPress)
    • IoT stuff (own software)

    The others are useful, but I still haven't unleashed their true potential:

    • NextCloud+Collabora
    • (photos solution, deciding on it now)
    • Gitea

    The third group helps me to run my homelab:

    • OIDplus
    • speedtest
    • monitoring
    • NTP
    • sandboxes/playgrounds
    • (internal mail server, still choosing)

    Tried these, but decided not to use, at least for now:

    • PiHole (using uBlock/MikroTik DNS+firewall for now)
    • Grist
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