Welcome

Welcome to the IT & Networking section of my portfolio! Here, I go into extreme detail about how and why I self-host my services instead of relying on cloud providers. From hosting my own website to running game servers, email services, and even a full drone surveying system, I take full control over my infrastructure. This page is designed to be both easy to understand and technically advanced, explaining my setup in a way that anyone can follow, whether you're just curious or an IT professional. Below, you'll find a breakdown of everything I host, why I chose each component, and how it all fits together.

Choosing a Server

Why a Dell PowerEdge?

I chose a Dell PowerEdge server instead of a pre-built NAS or cloud hosting due to its cheap entry price and easy upgradability. It was designed for datacenter use, making it reliable and easy to manage.

Server Specifications

  • CPU: 32 cores (2 CPUs)

  • RAM: 128GB (planning to upgrade)

  • Storage: 4TB (RAID mirror, with plans to expand)

Virtualization with Proxmox

Why Proxmox?

I chose Proxmox for its strong community support and open-source nature, unlike VMware, which is run by a money-hungry company. I had used VMware before but found Proxmox to be a better fit.

Resource Allocation

I manage resources fluidly—some VMs require more than others, so I allocate hardware accordingly based on their needs.

Security Measures

How I Secure My Server

I use Cloudflare and multiple NGINX reverse proxies to protect my services. I also take precautions like closing unnecessary web ports when needed. My site isn't DDoS-proof, but it is safe from common web threats and bots.

TrueNAS vs. Cloud Storage

TrueNAS is far superior to Google Drive or OneDrive because:

  • It is self-hosted, eliminating Google's data snooping.

  • It has a strong community for support.

  • It provides better data security and control.

RAID Configuration

I use RAID 1 (mirror) to ensure redundancy, effectively giving me 2TB of usable storage. I maintain three backups total, including an offsite backup for critical data.

Remote Access & Backups

Accessing Raw Images Remotely

I connect to my server via FTP software (Windows Explorer or WinSCP) to access stored images and VM storage.

Backup Strategy

I manually check drive health and logs monthly. If needed, I transfer backups to my main PC.

Web Hosting & Security

Why CloudPanel Over cPanel or HestiaCP?

CloudPanel is community-driven and easy to set up, without the overhead of corporate control.

Website Security Measures

I secure my self-hosted sites using Cloudflare and NGINX reverse proxies.

SSL Certificates

I use Let’s Encrypt for SSL because it's simple and free.

Handling Downtime

If my site goes down, I check logs first, then troubleshoot from there.

Game Hosting & Eco Server

What is Eco Global Survival?

Eco is a game that simulates an ecosystem and player-driven economy. I have experience running large servers and now host one once a year for my community.

Why Windows Server for Eco?

I use a Windows Server VM instead of Linux for ease of use. This allows community managers to access and manage the server remotely, reducing downtime since we're in different time zones.

Server Capacity & Automation

  • Max players: 50 (typically 20 active)

  • Restarts: Every 12 hours to maintain performance

  • Backups: Every 24 hours

Self-Hosting Email

Why Not Use Gmail?

I prefer self-hosting to avoid Google’s tracking and because it’s fun.

Mail Server Software

I use Mail-in-a-Box for email hosting.

Testing Malware in a Secure Environment

Isolating the Test Environment

I run malware tests on burner VMs, which I can destroy instantly if needed.

Handling Infections

I don’t use snapshots—I simply reinstall the OS if anything goes wrong.

Types of Malware Tested

I test free software, cracks, and GitHub applications to check for security risks.

Has a Virus Ever Escaped?

No, and it's almost impossible due to my isolation setup.

Container Management with Portainer

Why Portainer?

I use Portainer for managing containers because of its strong community support and ease of use.

Drone Surveying with WebODM

What is WebODM?

WebODM is my dashboard for drone surveying, an open-source project for aerial scanning and mapping.

WebODM vs. NodeODM

  • WebODM: The web-based interface (GUI)

  • NodeODM: The backend that processes images into 3D scans

Processing Time

Processing a scan takes 5 to 20 hours, depending on the complexity.