11 guides
Homelab & Home Server
Proxmox, Docker, reverse proxies, Tailscale, networking and home server foundations.
A homelab grows out of a NAS one service at a time: Docker containers, a hypervisor, a reverse proxy for HTTPS, and a safe way to reach it all from your phone. These guides cover the foundations in the order you will need them — networking, file sharing protocols, permissions, remote access and power protection.
- Getting started: what a homelab is and what to build first and Docker on a NAS for beginners.
- Remote access: how to access a NAS remotely — Tailscale vs Cloudflare Tunnel vs a reverse proxy, then set up Tailscale on a NAS and lock it down with Tailscale ACLs.
- Choosing a platform: Proxmox vs TrueNAS vs Unraid.
Index
All homelab & home server guides
- 01SMB vs NFS on a NAS: Which Protocol Should You Use?SMB vs NFS (Samba vs NFS) on a NAS: speed, security, identity and compatibility compared — SMB for people, NFS for machines.Sep 12, 2026 · 5 min
- 02How to Size a UPS for Your NAS (and Set Up Safe Shutdown)Size a UPS for a NAS from measured watts, pick a line-interactive unit and set up automatic safe shutdown with DSM, QTS, TrueNAS or NUT.Aug 31, 2026 · 5 min
- 03Docker PUID and PGID Explained for NAS UsersDocker PUID and PGID explained for NAS users: UID/GID mapping, bind-mount permissions, Compose examples and fixes for permission denied errors.Aug 11, 2026 · 5 min
- 042.5GbE vs 10GbE for NAS: Is the Upgrade Worth It?2.5GbE vs 10GbE for NAS: realistic throughput, cabling, switch and adapter costs, HDD/SSD bottlenecks and who should upgrade.Aug 7, 2026 · 5 min
- 05Tailscale ACLs for NAS: A Least-Privilege Access GuideUse Tailscale ACLs and grants for least-privilege NAS access: plan users, groups, tags and ports, then test admin, SMB and app access safely.Jul 21, 2026 · 5 min
- 06How to Access Your NAS Remotely: Tailscale vs Cloudflare Tunnel vs Reverse ProxyAccess a NAS from outside your home safely: Tailscale, Cloudflare Tunnel and a reverse proxy compared on exposure, CGNAT and setup effort.Jul 1, 2026 · 7 min
- 07Reverse Proxy Explained: HTTPS for Your Self-Hosted AppsReverse proxy explained for self-hosters: what it does, why you need it for HTTPS and clean URLs, and how Nginx Proxy Manager, Caddy and Traefik compare.Jul 1, 2026 · 4 min
- 08What Is a Homelab? A Beginner's Guide to Getting StartedWhat is a homelab? A beginner's guide: what people run, why it's worth it, and how to start small with a NAS or a mini PC and Docker.Jul 1, 2026 · 5 min
- 09Docker on a NAS: A Beginner's Guide (2026)Docker on a NAS for beginners: what containers are, enabling Docker on Synology/UGreen/TrueNAS, and running your first app with Docker Compose.Jul 1, 2026 · 4 min
- 10How to Set Up Tailscale for Secure Remote NAS AccessHow to set up Tailscale for secure remote NAS access in 2026. Reach your NAS from anywhere without port forwarding or exposing it to the internet.Jul 1, 2026 · 5 min
- 11Proxmox vs TrueNAS vs Unraid: Which Homelab OS in 2026?Proxmox vs TrueNAS vs Unraid in 2026. Hypervisor vs ZFS NAS vs flexible all-rounder — storage, VMs, apps, mixed drives and ease of use compared.Jul 1, 2026 · 5 min