networking

In this follow-up to my homelab series, I share the final hardware configuration of my 18U rack, detailing the integration of a 4U server, NAS, and networking equipment. I also address practical concerns like noise levels, providing decibel measurements to show how the setup operates quietly enough to sit beside my daily workstation.

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 want to stay informed about critical events in your Tailscale network, this guide shows you how I built a custom notification engine using Azure Logic Apps and webhooks. During my winter holiday, I set up a simple solution that triggers HTTP requests to Azure whenever specific Tailnet management or device misconfiguration events occur, ensuring I never miss important alerts.

I share how I enhanced my home network security by deploying a Tailscale solution that eliminates the need for firewall port forwarding and NAT rules. By leveraging a Raspberry Pi to expose my internal subnet and integrating Pi-Hole via Magic DNS, I achieved seamless, passwordless remote access to all my services as if they were on the same LAN.

With the shift to remote work, I explore why a Point-to-Site VPN remains relevant for accessing Azure-based resources like file shares and virtual machines from home. I detail how leveraging Azure AD authentication simplifies the traditional setup, avoiding the cumbersome management of certificates or RADIUS servers while providing secure access to the cloud.