The pursuit of the perfect homelab is a journey many tech enthusiasts embark on. Like many of you, I’m a systems administrator by day, tinkerer by night. My homelab started as a playground for VMware, Windows Server, Active Directory, and the usual suspects. I embraced the familiar, leveraging Microsoft’s ecosystem with tools like System Center, Office 365, Azure DevOps, and Duo.
However, a growing unease has crept in. The allure of easy setup and maintenance with SaaS and proprietary solutions is increasingly overshadowed by concerns about vendor lock-in, escalating costs, and the unsettling feeling of not being entirely in control. The recent news of Microsoft’s data handling issues within GovCloud only amplified these concerns.
The “enshitification” of the digital world, where platforms gradually erode user control and freedom, is a palpable threat. This prompted a costly and challenging migration from VMware to Proxmox for my 60+ VMs. It was a steep learning curve, but the sense of reclaiming control was invigorating.
This brings me to the central question: just how sovereign is your homelab? How much control do you truly have over your data and infrastructure? Many of us operate in a hybrid environment, balancing the convenience of proprietary software with the freedom of open-source alternatives. We pick and choose based on necessity, familiarity, and sometimes, sheer curiosity.
I’m at a crossroads. Do I continue this hybrid approach or take the plunge into a fully open-source ecosystem? Should I embrace FreeIPA, Keycloak, Foreman, and self-host my mail server on a Linux foundation? This isn’t about paranoia or hiding from the NSA; it’s about reclaiming ownership and control over my digital domain.
I’m curious to hear your perspectives. What’s your stance on homelab sovereignty? What compromises have you made, and where do you draw the line? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below. Let’s explore together the path towards a truly sovereign homelab.
What are your thoughts? Consider these points:
- Vendor Lock-in: Are you tied to specific vendors? How easy would it be to switch?
- Data Control: Where does your data reside, and who has access to it?
- Cost: How much are you spending on licenses and subscriptions?
- Maintenance: How much time and effort do you invest in maintaining your infrastructure?
- Community Support: How important is community support to you?
Let’s start a conversation about building homelabs that empower us, not constrain us.
