Raspberry Pi 5 Homelab
Building a powerful and accessible homelab using a Raspberry Pi 5, Docker containers, Tailscale, and Cloudflare Tunnels.
Project Overview
In this project, I built a versatile homelab using a Raspberry Pi 5 with 8GB of RAM. The goal was to create a low-power, always-on server that could host various services for my home network while being accessible from anywhere.
Using Docker containers, I deployed multiple services including Dashwatch for monitoring, Uptime Kuma for uptime tracking, Navidrome for music streaming, and Jellyfin for media management.
To make these services securely accessible from anywhere, I implemented a combination of Tailscale for private networking and Cloudflare Tunnels for secure public access without exposing my home IP address.
Technical Details
Hardware
Raspberry Pi 5 with 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for storage, running Raspberry Pi OS Lite (64-bit) for maximum performance and compatibility with Docker.
Docker Stack
Docker and Docker Compose for container management, running Dashwatch, Uptime Kuma, Navidrome, Jellyfin, and other services in isolated containers.
Remote Access
Tailscale for secure private network access and Cloudflare Tunnels for exposing selected services to the internet without port forwarding or a static IP.
Hosted Services
Dashwatch
A dashboard for monitoring system resources and services, providing at-a-glance status of the entire homelab.
Uptime Kuma
Monitoring tool that tracks the uptime and performance of various services and websites, with alerts for any downtime.
Navidrome
Modern music server and streamer compatible with Subsonic/Airsonic clients, providing access to my music collection from anywhere.
Jellyfin
Open source media system for managing and streaming video content, providing a Netflix-like experience for personal media.
Challenges & Solutions
Power Efficiency
Challenge: Ensuring the Raspberry Pi could run 24/7 without excessive power consumption or overheating.
Solution: Implemented proper cooling with a heatsink case, optimized Docker containers, and configured services to use resources efficiently.
Remote Access Security
Challenge: Making services accessible remotely without compromising security or exposing my home network.
Solution: Used Tailscale for encrypted mesh networking and Cloudflare Tunnels to avoid opening ports on my home router.
Resource Constraints
Challenge: Running multiple services on limited Raspberry Pi hardware without performance issues.
Solution: Carefully tuned Docker resource limits, used lightweight container images, and prioritized critical services.
Data Persistence
Challenge: Ensuring data wasn't lost during container updates or system reboots.
Solution: Implemented Docker volumes mapped to the SSD, regular automated backups, and proper shutdown procedures.
Project Results
24/7 Availability
Created a reliable, always-on server that consumes minimal power while providing essential services.
Secure Remote Access
Achieved secure access to all services from anywhere without compromising network security.
Modular System
Built a flexible system where new services can be easily added or removed without affecting others.
Useful Resources
Docker Documentation
Official documentation for Docker and Docker Compose, essential for setting up containerized applications.
Visit DocumentationCloudflare Tunnels Guide
Guide to setting up Cloudflare Tunnels for secure remote access to self-hosted services.
Visit Guide