Proxmox Homelab Setup: From Zero to Your Private Cloud
This tutorial is the entry point for building the BeingDevOps Proxmox homelab. It defines the order of operations and links to (or will link to) dedicated tutorials for each major component. Follow the steps in order so DNS, reverse proxy, backup, and VPN are in place before you add optional services.
Prerequisites
- Hardware: one or more x86 machines (or compatible) with virtualization support (Intel VT-x / AMD-V).
- Installable image: Proxmox VE ISO or use a cloud image with Proxmox installed.
- Network: static IP for the Proxmox host (or DHCP reservation) and router access if you want internet for VMs/LXCs.
High-Level Order of Operations
- Install Proxmox VE — Base install, storage, and network.
- DNS (Pi-hole / AdGuard) — LXC or VM so everything uses one DNS and ad-blocking.
- Reverse proxy + TLS — Traefik or Nginx Proxy Manager so you have
https://service.homeinstead of ports. - Backup — Proxmox Backup Server or scheduled backups so you can restore.
- VPN — WireGuard or Tailscale for secure remote access.
- Dashboard — Homepage or Homarr so all services are one click away.
- Optional: Monitoring, Docker host, identity, and other services (tutorials added over time).
Tutorials (Planned / In Progress)
| Step | Topic | Status | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | Technitium DNS (full chain) | Available | See chain below |
| 1 | Proxmox VE install & base config | Planned | (tutorial to be added) |
| 2 | DNS LXC/VM (Pi-hole or AdGuard Home) | Planned | (tutorial to be added) |
| 2b | Technitium DNS: VM → Docker → primary DNS & router | Available | Create VM 112-Technitium-DNS_Server → Docker & utilities → Technitium in Docker → Primary DNS & router |
| 3 | Reverse proxy + TLS (Traefik or NPM) | Planned | (tutorial to be added) |
| 4 | Backup (PBS or VM/LXC backup to NAS) | Planned | (tutorial to be added) |
| 5 | VPN (WireGuard or Tailscale) | Planned | (tutorial to be added) |
| 6 | Dashboard (Homepage / Homarr) | Planned | (tutorial to be added) |
| 7+ | Monitoring, Docker, identity, etc. | Planned | (tutorials to be added) |
Technitium DNS chain (step-by-step): Create VM 112-Technitium-DNS_Server (Ubuntu 24, 4GB, 2 cores, static IP 172.100.12.112) → Docker, Docker Compose & utilities → Technitium DNS in Docker → Technitium as primary DNS & router DHCP. Each page links to the next so you can follow the whole chain.
As we publish each tutorial, we’ll add the link here and in the Proxmox Homelab project. Screenshots and diagrams will come from a real Proxmox homelab so you can match your environment.
Why This Order?
- DNS first — So every VM/LXC uses the same resolver and you have stable names.
- Reverse proxy next — One place for HTTPS and host-based routing; add services behind it.
- Backup early — So you can experiment without fear; restore is possible.
- VPN — Secure access from outside without exposing Proxmox or services directly.
- Dashboard — Convenience after the foundation is solid.
Related Content
- Proxmox Homelab: Your Private Cloud (Project) — Full architecture, tool list, diagrams, and service tables.
- Homelab: Why Every DevOps Engineer Should Have One (Blog) — Motivation, pros/cons, and must-have vs good-to-have services.
Once the per-service tutorials are in place, you’ll be able to go from a blank machine to a fully functional homelab by following this path and the linked guides.