So, you want to start self-hosting? Part 1 - How to install Proxmox and pick your hardware.

Summary

In this video, Alex from Tailscale introduces the process of setting up a self-hosted home server using Proxmox. The video covers hardware choices, including the differences between Raspberry Pi and small-form-factor PCs, as well as detailed steps for installing and configuring Proxmox. Alex also discusses networking basics, setting static IPs, and remote management via SSH. The setup is completed by rebooting the server to apply updates. The video ends with a teaser for Part 2, where applications like Image, Home Assistant, and Jellyfin/Plex will be installed and connected via Tailscale for secure, encrypted communication.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tailscale allows you to self-host cloud services behind your own firewall, enhancing privacy and security.
• 😀 Raspberry Pi is a budget-friendly option for self-hosting, but its performance and expandability are limited.
• 😀 Dell's small form factor PCs offer more expandability and performance compared to Raspberry Pi for self-hosting setups.
• 😀 The video will guide viewers through installing Proxmox as a base for running self-hosted applications and virtual machines.
• 😀 Tailscale enables secure and private remote access to your self-hosted services, even when they are behind a firewall.
• 😀 Proxmox is a hypervisor that allows you to run multiple virtual machines and containers on a single machine.
• 😀 Setting up a bootable USB drive with Proxmox and using tools like Rufus or Bellina Etcher are the first steps in the installation process.
• 😀 Using managed switches like Ubiquiti can help optimize networking for self-hosting setups with VLANs, providing more control over traffic.
• 😀 The video demonstrates using a Jet KVM device to remotely control the server for a headless setup, making setup and troubleshooting easier.
• 😀 The Proxmox installation process involves configuring static IPs and networking settings, and then logging in via SSH for further management.
• 😀 Part two of the video series will cover setting up self-hosted applications like Image, Home Assistant, and Plex, and using Tailscale for secure communication.

Q & A

What is the main goal of the video series?

The main goal of the video series is to introduce viewers to the world of self-hosting, where users can bring cloud services like Google Photos or Netflix in-house, behind their firewall, using Tailscale to build a secure private network.

Why is the Raspberry Pi not ideal for certain self-hosting tasks?

While the Raspberry Pi is affordable and compact, it's limited by slow USB bandwidth, making it inefficient for connecting devices like hard drives. Additionally, the shared bandwidth between the USB and Ethernet ports on the Raspberry Pi 4 hampers its overall performance.

What is the advantage of using a small form factor PC like the Dell one shown in the video?

The small form factor Dell PC offers better performance, more expandability, and easier upgrades compared to the Raspberry Pi. It includes a CPU, RAM, USB ports, and the ability to upgrade components like memory and storage, which makes it more suitable for self-hosting.

What is Proxmox, and why is it used in this setup?

Proxmox is a hypervisor that allows the user to run virtual machines and containers. It is used in this setup as the foundational layer for creating a mini self-hosting HomeLab, enabling the user to virtualize various self-hosted applications.

How does Proxmox help in self-hosting applications like Image or Home Assistant?

Proxmox enables the creation of isolated virtual environments or containers where various self-hosted applications like Image (a Google Photos clone) or Home Assistant can run independently. This ensures better resource management and scalability for the applications.

What tool is recommended for creating a bootable USB drive for Proxmox installation?

For macOS, Bellina Etcher is recommended for creating a bootable USB drive. For Windows, Rufus is suggested instead, while Linux users are assumed to already know how to make bootable USB drives.

Why is the Jet KVM device used in this setup?

The Jet KVM is used to emulate a full-size keyboard, monitor, and mouse setup in a very compact form. It makes it easier to demonstrate the installation process remotely, as it allows for video output and remote control of the system through a network connection.

What is the purpose of configuring a static IP address for the Proxmox installation?

A static IP address is configured to ensure that the Proxmox server has a consistent network address. This is crucial for remote access and for ensuring that the server can reliably communicate with other devices in the network without IP address changes.

What does the post-installation script for Proxmox do?

The post-installation script corrects the Proxmox Virtualization Environment sources by removing the enterprise repository and disabling subscription nags. It also updates the system's package list and installs the latest updates, ensuring the system is properly configured and up to date.

What is the importance of VLANs in the networking setup shown in the video?

VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) are used to segment the network and provide better traffic management. While not fully covered in the video, VLANs can help isolate different devices or services for security and performance reasons, and the Ubiquiti managed switch makes it easier to configure and manage these network segments.