If you’re looking to centralize security monitoring for your home network, this guide shows how I leveraged a new Microsoft preview solution to connect Unifi hardware logs to Azure Sentinel. I walk you through provisioning a Linux syslog server in Azure and configuring your Unifi controller to ship data, effectively offloading the heavy lifting of integration to Microsoft.

As I prepare for an upcoming move, I’m redesigning my homelab to transition from scattered equipment to a proper rack-mounted setup that supports my current and future technical experiments. In this first installment, I outline my core requirements—such as a 10 Gigabit backbone, high availability for virtual machines, and dedicated IoT networks—while beginning the process of consolidating my gear into a standardized cabinet.

If you are considering a managed UniFi ecosystem for your home network, this review details my experience upgrading to the UDM-Pro to consolidate my controller, firewall, and surveillance needs into a single 1U device. I share insights on the seamless setup process, the cost of adding a large drive for video storage, and the trade-offs between the new and legacy administrative interfaces.

If you are tired of managing the On-Premises Data Gateway to trigger Power Automate Desktop flows, this post explores the new Direct Connection feature that allows hosts to connect directly to the cloud. I explain how this preview capability simplifies infrastructure by using machine groups instead of gateways, while also providing enhanced monitoring and statistics for your automation hosts.

I discovered that while existing tools like Tautulli could handle my Plex notification needs, I decided to build a custom integration using Azure API Management and Logic Apps to deepen my understanding of Azure services. This post details how I leveraged Plex’s webhook capabilities to trigger notifications for my family whenever new episodes are added to our media server.

Drawing on my extensive background in scripting and automation, I explore the distinction between traditional coding methods and Robotic Process Automation, highlighting when tools like UiPath or Microsoft Power Automate Desktop are the right choice. I walk you through getting started with the free Power Automate Desktop tool, covering installation, login procedures, and the basic structure of creating your first automated flow.