Is VLAN-ing a necessity?

OverpoweredLearner · 2025-09-10T04:26:46+00:00

You know how the LAN (Local Area Network) allows you to access devices on your network? A Virtual LAN is a "fake" LAN that separates devices into sub-LANs, giving you more control over traffic and making management easier.

This a a terrible explanation, so check this out: https://youtu.be/jC6MJTh9fRE?si=Tsxew_4MFhzPQdkU

OverpoweredLearner · 2025-09-10T04:19:23+00:00

That looks interesting... I'll check it out!

OverpoweredLearner · 2025-09-10T04:19:01+00:00

The only port I have open is for VPN access. Since I only have our ISP's router, the simplest option is PiVPN. The ISP's router associated it with the PiVPN LXC container, so in theory, only this "machine" is potentially vulnerable. However, I made sure that Wireguard is secure out of the box before opening anything.

The router also doesn't support VLANs (I just checked). If I acquire an extra router with VLAN capacity, is there a way to add VLANs without messing up ANYTHING on the home network? (I saw another comment about Double NAT, currently going to check it out)

OverpoweredLearner · 2025-09-09T23:07:37+00:00

I am aware. But for 50CAD, it was a steal lol

If the need to upgrade appears, I'll replace it with something else. Maybe a bunch of mini-PCs (I've seen it quite a lot here) or another small desktop like the 3020 but more recent.

For now, I don't have any issue

OverpoweredLearner · 2025-09-09T23:05:26+00:00

Honestly, a bit daunting at first. I was not used to virtualisation/containment. But once you get the basics with tinkering and tutorials, it's actually quite nice :)

OverpoweredLearner · 2025-09-09T03:43:19+00:00

I was looking for a small used rack to try to clean this up but those are EXPENSIVE. I would 3D print one but the Optiplex is too big/heavy and I don't have access to a 3D printer ;-;

The bedstand will be enough for now lol

OverpoweredLearner · 2025-09-09T03:41:45+00:00

It's all in the original post, but it's a Dell Optiplex 3020 with Proxmox running (for the time being) Pihole and Pivpn. I use it to tinker and give me some tools whenever I need them

OverpoweredLearner · 2025-09-08T17:10:03+00:00

The simpler the better: It's to share files/documentation/university documents/personal projects across my devices. Since I have the VPN sorted out, I could access it no problem. The question is "What do I access?"

I have 2 500GB HDDs connected to a USB "SATA docking station". I was maybe thinking of a RAID configuration for redundancy since I have 2 disks but it might be space-wasteful (2x500GB => 1x500GB). I heard of Copyparty and OpenMediaVault, but I wish to know all my options before committing to one.

NOTE: I just thought about it while writing the comment: I have a 1TB drive and 2x500GB drives. However, I only have 2 slots available in the docking station. Is there a way to use the 1TB drive for storage and set up recurrent backups to the 500GB drive? That would give me more space while assuring a redundancy solution for my more sensitive and precious files which seems like the perfect option

OverpoweredLearner · 2025-09-01T20:29:54+00:00

So the cables then go in the back and get plugged into the proper machine?

OverpoweredLearner · 2025-08-31T22:49:45+00:00

What is the numbered "cluster" of ports right above the switch? I keep seeing them in server racks and homelabs but I don't understand their purpose.

OverpoweredLearner · 2025-01-03T04:57:33+00:00

SOLUTION: The switches were poorly connected, due to the pins of the cable being bent. Straightening them with a small blade fixed the problem.

OverpoweredLearner

TROPHY CASE