HaaS: Homelab as a Service - Private Cloud Infrastructure

Building your own private cloud infrastructure with Synology NAS and Docker orchestration

Published on Jan 03, 2025

Reading time: 4 minutes.


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What is the significance of this?

  • Private Cloud: Complete control over your data and infrastructure
  • Cost Savings: Eliminates multiple SaaS subscriptions ($50-200/month)
  • Data Sovereignty: No dependency on third-party cloud services
  • Learning Platform: Hands-on experience with enterprise technologies
  • Scalability: Start small and grow with your needs
  • Security: Enhanced privacy and control over sensitive data

How is automation accomplished?

  • Docker Orchestration: Containerized applications with automated lifecycle management
  • Portainer Management: Web-based container orchestration and monitoring
  • SSH Automation: Terminal-based configuration and maintenance
  • Tailscale VPN: Zero-config secure remote access
  • Synology DSM: Built-in package management and system administration
  • Backup Automation: Scheduled data protection and disaster recovery

Prerequisites

  • Synology NAS (DS923+ or compatible)
  • Docker and Portainer installed
  • Tailscale VPN account
  • Basic understanding of containerization
  • Network infrastructure (router, switches)

Source Code

https://github.com/portainer/portainer

How to deploy the infrastructure

Synology NAS Setup

  1. Hardware Configuration

    • Install drives in RAID configuration
    • Configure network settings
    • Set up user accounts and permissions
  2. Software Installation

    • Install Docker package from Synology Package Center
    • Deploy Portainer container
    • Configure Tailscale VPN
  3. Network Configuration

    • Set up static IP addresses
    • Configure firewall rules
    • Enable SSH access

Portainer Deployment

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version: "3.8"

services:
  portainer:
    image: portainer/portainer-ce:latest
    container_name: portainer
    restart: always
    ports:
      - "9000:9000"
      - "8000:8000"
    volumes:
      - /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock
      - /volume1/docker-config/portainer:/data
    networks:
      - portainer-network

networks:
  portainer-network:
    driver: bridge

Architecture

Core Infrastructure

  • Synology DS923+: 4-bay NAS with AMD Ryzen processor
  • Docker Engine: Container runtime environment
  • Portainer: Container management and orchestration
  • Tailscale: Mesh VPN for secure remote access
  • SSH Access: Terminal-based administration

Service Stack

  • Media Server: Plex for movies and music
  • Finance Management: Actual Budget for personal finance
  • File Storage: Centralized file sharing and backup
  • Development: Code repositories and CI/CD
  • Monitoring: System health and performance metrics

Key Features

Container Management

  • Web Interface: User-friendly container orchestration
  • Stack Deployment: Docker Compose management
  • Volume Management: Persistent data storage
  • Network Configuration: Container networking
  • Registry Integration: Docker image management

Remote Access

  • Tailscale VPN: Secure connection from anywhere
  • SSH Terminal: Command-line administration
  • Web Interfaces: Browser-based service access
  • Mobile Apps: Remote management capabilities

Service Portfolio

Current Stack

  • Plex Media Server: Movies, TV shows, and music
  • Actual Budget: Personal finance management
  • File Sharing: Centralized document storage
  • Backup Services: Automated data protection
  • Development Tools: Git repositories and CI/CD

Planned Services

  • Home Assistant: Smart home automation
  • Nextcloud: File sync and collaboration
  • Grafana: Monitoring and analytics
  • GitLab: Code repository and CI/CD
  • Bitwarden: Password management

Cost Analysis

SaaS vs Self-Hosted

Service SaaS Cost/Month Self-Hosted Annual Savings
Media Streaming $15.99 (Netflix + Spotify) $0 $191.88
File Storage $9.99 (Google Drive) $0 $119.88
Finance Software $14.99 (YNAB) $0 $179.88
Password Manager $3.00 (Bitwarden) $0 $36.00
Total Monthly $43.97 $0 $527.64

Hardware Investment

  • Synology DS923+: $600 (one-time)
  • Hard Drives: $400 (one-time)
  • Payback Period: ~2 years
  • Long-term Savings: $2,000+ over 5 years

Security & Privacy

Data Protection

  • Local Storage: All data remains on your infrastructure
  • VPN Access: Encrypted remote connections
  • User Control: Complete privacy over your data
  • No Tracking: No third-party analytics or monitoring

Best Practices

  • Regular Updates: Keep system and containers current
  • Backup Strategy: Multiple backup locations
  • Access Control: Secure authentication and authorization
  • Network Security: Firewall and VPN configuration

Monitoring & Maintenance

Health Monitoring

  • Portainer Dashboard: Container status and resource usage
  • System Metrics: CPU, memory, and disk utilization
  • Service Health: Application availability and performance
  • Log Analysis: Troubleshooting and optimization

Maintenance Tasks

  • Container Updates: Regular image updates
  • Backup Verification: Ensure data protection
  • Security Patches: Apply system updates
  • Performance Tuning: Optimize resource usage

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

  1. Container Startup Failures

    • Check Docker daemon status
    • Verify volume mounts
    • Review container logs
  2. Network Connectivity

    • Verify Tailscale status
    • Check firewall rules
    • Test port accessibility
  3. Performance Issues

    • Monitor resource usage
    • Check disk space
    • Optimize container configuration
  4. Backup Problems

    • Verify backup schedules
    • Check storage capacity
    • Test restore procedures

Future Enhancements

Planned Features

  • High Availability: Multi-node deployment
  • Load Balancing: Traffic distribution
  • Automated Scaling: Dynamic resource allocation
  • Disaster Recovery: Automated failover

Technical Improvements

  • Kubernetes: Container orchestration upgrade
  • Monitoring Stack: Prometheus and Grafana
  • CI/CD Pipeline: Automated deployment
  • Security Hardening: Enhanced protection

Contributing

Development Setup

  1. Fork the repository
  2. Create feature branch: git checkout -b feature/your-feature
  3. Make changes and test locally
  4. Commit changes: git commit -m "Add your feature"
  5. Push to branch: git push origin feature/your-feature
  6. **Create Pull Request`

Code Standards

  • Docker: Container optimization guidelines
  • Infrastructure: Infrastructure as Code best practices
  • Documentation: Clear setup and maintenance guides
  • Testing: Automated infrastructure testing

Conclusion

This HaaS (Homelab as a Service) project demonstrates the power of building your own private cloud:

  • Complete Data Ownership with local infrastructure
  • Significant Cost Savings compared to SaaS subscriptions
  • Enhanced Privacy with no third-party data access
  • Technical Learning through hands-on infrastructure management
  • Scalable Architecture that grows with your needs

The project serves as both a practical private cloud solution and a comprehensive example of self-hosted infrastructure, making it an excellent foundation for any homelab enthusiast’s portfolio.

Live Demo: HaaS Setup Guide
Source Code: https://github.com/portainer/portainer