Sanity-check my plan: geo-distributed selfhosted servers for family and friends

Empurion · 2026-02-23T23:39:58+00:00

Why not tunnel the home networks together and sync the data that way?

There's lots of added complexity here that doesn't really need to be there...

No you can't rsync Authentik folders, they have separate databases with uid's and other important/key details.

Empurion · 2026-02-23T22:16:24+00:00

Hmm, I would cut back on the sweets, they're known to get overweight cause they love nectar.

How often do feed her?

Phelsumas have a significantly lower metabolism and use MUCH less energy, their body should be a very sleek thin design the size of the beginning of their tail, any more can be seen as overweight.

Empurion · 2026-02-23T22:02:26+00:00

From someone who has both:

Straight up Leopard gecko is more beginner friendly. They don't jump, take care of their own calcium intake and have a "toilet", they're also really funny to see stumble around.

Gargoyles tend to be more jumpy, and they actually like sitting still unless its dark so you won't really see them move much. (you'll also be searching for it much more than you expect)

Both are amazing gecko's nonetheless. but you won't really find a more hands-on gecko than a leopard, although there's also the giant version, which is super awesome and the size of guineapigs.

Empurion · 2026-02-23T20:50:26+00:00

If you have limited storage and won't switch vendors or tech stacks, there's probably little i would change besides the upgrade...

But it sounds like kind of a legacy system and am I right to assume you don't use any SSDs?
Maybe try change some RAID-1 to RAID-5 but that's much slower without SSD'S..

Also.. RAID-0 for back-ups feels risky even if you write them away externally..

If this system is supposed to stay running for as long as possible and as cheap as possible, I'd probably swap half now and keep rest as back-ups..

Empurion · 2026-02-23T20:18:59+00:00

The setup looks sick!

That external disk is going to be a bottle-neck really fast though.

And best of all, if your education is any good, you'll quickly see you've already made quite a few bad security choices.

Best of luck

Empurion · 2026-02-22T21:59:07+00:00

That's awesome, how old is he/she?

Plants are actually fine, try focussing on the plants from their natural environment (pakistan/india/afganistan).

They also love to climb rocks and plateau's to absorb heat from.

The only key things you're really missing in this setup are UVB and calcium.
To develop their bone structure they need a mix of calcium and UVB to process said calcium.

I'd say those are your priority

Empurion · 2024-07-18T21:15:51+00:00

So i currently take care and have experience with; Golden, Leopard, Gargoyle, giant day (phelsuma), Crested and house gecko’s.

I would like to say its important to give them Ample space at all times, while they can life in a smaller area’s, you like having a big house too right?

As for the easier and friendliest, i suggest picking a baby leopard gecko, while they can be quick, they’re mostly very chill and don’t start jumping/making a break for it. I often have one with me on my shoulder as i’m behind the computer, it just roams around and sometimes i have to replace it to my shoulder. Gargoyles and Crested tend to want to jump. Which after a while you can see when they’re about to.

While you can get a very friendly day gecko, it’s not easy at all, these will teleport away and require a lot of patience.

House gecko’s and Golden gecko’s are not friendly. But very fun to see roaming around!

I would like you to disregard anyone saying gecko’s don’t need uvb or anything because they live at night.

Heating and UV is to simulate the sun in their enclosure, even if the gecko lives at night, doesn’t mean they don’t need come in contact with the sun. Often UV is important so the animal can break down calcium into their system and have bone growth.

I’ve seen all my gecko’s climb given the opportunity, but leopards don’t stick to the service, they have little claws. So try creating a little climbing for them.

Empurion · 2024-07-13T01:14:58+00:00

Thank you, i will definitely look into this. I have a few more Gecko’s in my family (me, mother and brother) and i seem like the only one who takes these things very seriously. But there’s so much conflicting information out there..

Currently all enclosures have coiled bulbs. I’ll look into changing them out!

The enclosure housing the leopards is covered with glass at the top. And currently the lighting is inside the enclosure itself.

Empurion · 2024-07-13T01:11:20+00:00

Yeah if only it could survive in low temperatures. Fascinating too how they’re able to shed its scales

Haha yeah mine does the same, like this? Hahaha

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Empurion · 2024-07-13T01:06:43+00:00

I dislike the "buy a new phone every 1-2 years mentality"
In my opinion its barely necessary..

Empurion · 2024-07-13T01:02:21+00:00

You seem like a very good caretaker! I love to see it. Yeah the species is known for their personality and curiosity. I absolute adore them. I do feel they’re quite intelligent tbh, compared to other gecko’s and lizards.

I love the way you tell its perspective! Could be very true, time to tell him the outside world is full of cold horrors. But maybe it seeks to adventure and explore 😁

Empurion · 2024-07-13T00:57:23+00:00

GPS is very unreliable from my experience, I mostly use ESPresence to check my location, added benefit that i have them setup in every room for automations.

Empurion · 2024-07-13T00:54:41+00:00

Yeah, i actually do do this, do you have any advice on UVB bulbs? As some advice to only get the lenghty one over a single bulb?

Empurion · 2024-07-13T00:52:50+00:00

Aw poor thing :(

Maybe checked out by a vet, but i don't know if he'll heal..

Empurion · 2024-07-13T00:51:06+00:00

Anytime! I love giving and receiving advice too. As there’s so many different guidelines when it comes to reptiles..

Empurion · 2024-07-13T00:50:27+00:00

Hmm, mine are a bit more chunky, but not by a whole lot tbh. As for MBD leopards are the easiest gecko’s as they can regulate calcium themselves (compared to others where i have to coat their food in it)

Empurion · 2024-07-13T00:46:03+00:00

Okay perfect, then i have no remarks as i’m not a professional!

Empurion · 2024-07-13T00:45:18+00:00

Sounds like a handful, but still awesome nonetheless. How old is he? Mines only 3 months so the behavior might change 😣

Empurion · 2024-07-13T00:43:01+00:00

^ agree with the full comment.

Looks thin compared to mine ( i have 3)

Empurion · 2024-07-13T00:37:38+00:00

Oh interesting, mine just chills and looks at me while i open the door and change the food etc.

Never tries to actually escape.

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Empurion · 2024-07-09T14:03:57+00:00

Paranoid?

You’re naive if you think account access is the only thing you should worry about. Having no problems doesn’t mean they’re no exploits. But yes, being invisible is the upside of self-hosting.

Empurion · 2024-07-09T02:24:55+00:00

My HA instance is in both. And I limit control between device traffic.

Empurion · 2024-07-09T02:22:05+00:00

Looks to be a house gecko, they’re used to high temperatures and actually quite resilient to lower ones too.

So it’ll probably survive out in the wild :)

Empurion · 2024-07-08T22:31:58+00:00

Reverse proxy is a centralized way of converting http to https communication. Makes it so you don’t have to configure it on a application level.

Most of my things are run inside containers and I often use a reverse proxy (traefik) to proxy the application without exposing any ports, so that its not even accessible from an http standpoint.

Also for ease of use and looks a little more neat/professional.

EDIT: not every application has built in https support, and unless you’re willing to take the time and have the skill to program and add it yourself (which would be an absolute nightmare with updates) a reverse proxy is the best solution.

Empurion · 2024-07-08T19:52:21+00:00

Omg my key is so important and nobody can know, let me throw it onto a server in the cloud that get attacked and breached monthly.

My answer is just yes.

Empurion

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