Self-Hosting with Proxmox VE: My 3-Node Dell OptiPlex Setup

The idea of self-hosting and home labs is a great alternative to cloud service and for those who want a bit more control, privacy, and cost efficiency. My journey into self-hosting began with a venture into Proxmox Virtual Environment (VE), running on a cluster of three nodes. Here’s a look at my setup, the hardware involved, and why I think this approach is great for personal and even small-scale professional projects.

The Hardware: Dell OptiPlex Micro Form Factor Nodes

After some research and a few lucky finds at a local used electronics store, I managed to put together a reliable and cost-effective Proxmox VE cluster using three Dell OptiPlex micro form factor desktops. These compact machines pack more power than their size suggests and are perfect for my self-hosting needs. Here are the specs for each node:

Node 1: Dell OptiPlex 3070

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-9500T (6 cores @ 2.20 GHz, 9th Gen)

  • RAM: 32 GB

  • Storage: 1 TB SSD + 128 GB SSD

Node 2: Dell OptiPlex 3070

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-9500T (6 cores @ 2.20 GHz, 9th Gen)

  • RAM: 16 GB

  • Storage: 1 TB SSD

Node 3: Dell OptiPlex 7070

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-8500T (6 cores @ 2.10 GHz, 8th Gen)

  • RAM: 32 GB

  • Storage: Two 1 TB SSDs

Why OptiPlex?

The Dell OptiPlex line, especially the micro form factor models, strikes a perfect balance between performance and size. These machines were originally designed for office environments but shine in a home lab setting. With their Intel Core i5 processors, I’ve got plenty of computational power to run multiple virtual machines (VMs) and containers. Here’s why I chose this setup:

  • Affordability: These machines were purchased at a fraction of their original cost from a used electronics store. Buying refurbished or second-hand is a great way to save money while still getting reliable hardware.

  • Scalability: The generous RAM and storage capacities allow me to scale up as needed. I can easily expand storage or even upgrade RAM in Node 2 if required.

  • Energy Efficiency: The “T” suffix in the processors indicates they’re energy-efficient models, which helps keep power consumption low, important for 24/7 operation.

Why Proxmox VE?

Proxmox VE is a powerful open-source virtualization platform that supports both virtual machines and containers. Its high availability (HA) capabilities are particularly appealing for my setup. By clustering my three nodes, I can:

  1. Ensure Redundancy: If one node goes down, the other two can pick up the load, minimizing downtime.

  2. Distribute Workloads: I can spread VMs and containers across nodes to optimize performance.

  3. Experiment Safely: Proxmox’s snapshot and rollback features let me test configurations without fear of breaking something permanently.

What I’m Hosting

With this setup, I’ve been able to self-host a variety of services:

  • Jellyfin Media Server: A robust media server for streaming my collection of movies, TV shows, and music across devices.

  • Job Search Web App: Hosted on a dedicated VM, this Flask-based app helps me manage job applications and stay organized in my career search efforts.

  • Samba Fileserver: A reliable and secure way to share files across my home network, enabling quick access to documents and media.

  • Home Assistant: Hosted on one of the LXC containers, this service powers my smart home setup, allowing me to control and automate various devices seamlessly.

  • Tailscale VPN: A simple and secure way to remotely access my home network from anywhere, ensuring I can manage my services even when I’m away.

Lessons Learned and Future Plans

Setting up a Proxmox VE cluster on these three nodes has been an incredible learning experience. It’s taught me about networking, storage, virtualization, and the importance of planning for failure (and recovery). I’ve also discovered how satisfying it is to take full ownership of my data and services.

Looking ahead, I’m considering experimenting with Kubernetes for container orchestration. The flexibility of this setup means I have plenty of room to grow and adapt.

Conclusion

Self-hosting isn’t just about saving money or avoiding third-party services; it’s about empowerment. With a modest investment in hardware and time, I’ve built a system that’s not only reliable but also immensely satisfying to operate and expand. If you’re thinking about diving into self-hosting, I can’t recommend the Proxmox VE + Dell OptiPlex combination highly enough. It’s been a journey of discovery, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.

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