Projects

Overview

This page highlights hands-on infrastructure and automation work from my homelab and real-world troubleshooting experience. Each project is written like a short case study, focusing on the problem, solution, and lessons learned.

Pi-hole and Unbound DNS (Local Recursive Resolver)

Problem
Default router and ISP-provided DNS offer limited visibility, privacy, and control. I wanted deeper insight into DNS behavior across my network and the ability to reduce ads, tracking, and unnecessary external dependencies.

Solution

  • Deployed Pi-hole as a centralized DNS filter for the network
  • Integrated Unbound as a local recursive resolver instead of relying on public upstream DNS
  • Gradually cut over clients and DHCP to validate stability before full adoption

What I learned

  • DNS is a critical shared dependency and small issues can cascade quickly
  • Services can appear healthy while failing due to underlying DNS problems
  • Change management matters even in small environments, especially when modifying edge devices and core network services
  • Weak points in a network often surface only when a new dependency is introduced

Technologies
Pi-hole, Unbound, DNS, Linux, networking fundamentals

Personal Infrastructure Lab (Proxmox + Docker)

Goal
Build a safe and repeatable environment to learn networking, automation, and modern infrastructure concepts.

What I built

  • Proxmox host running Linux virtual machines and containers
  • Docker-based services for consistent and repeatable deployments
  • Snapshot and rollback workflows to safely test changes

Why it matters

  • Demonstrates the ability to operate systems and recover from failures
  • Provides a foundation for networking and automation labs

Technologies
Proxmox, Linux, Docker, virtual networking

Reverse Proxy and Secure Public Access (Traefik + Cloudflare Tunnel)

Problem
I wanted services to be accessible from the internet without exposing my home network through port forwarding.

Solution

  • Deployed Traefik to route traffic to multiple internal services
  • Used Cloudflare Tunnel to publish applications securely
  • Organized routing and service separation for predictable access

What I learned

  • How request routing, DNS, and tunnels interact in real deployments
  • How small configuration errors can break connectivity and how to debug them

Technologies
Traefik, Cloudflare Tunnel, Docker, DNS

Website Contact Form Integration

Problem
I needed a reliable way for recruiters and collaborators to contact me directly through my website.

Solution

  • Integrated a hosted form handler with end-to-end validation
  • Added user feedback on successful form submission
  • Corrected layout issues caused by HTML and markdown interaction

What I learned

  • How static site generators handle embedded forms
  • How to debug front-end layout and rendering issues efficiently

Technologies
Hugo, HTML, CSS, form handling services

Service Monitoring and Health Checks (Uptime Kuma)

Problem
Services can appear online while still being unusable. I needed visibility into real availability.

Solution

  • Deployed Uptime Kuma to monitor key services and endpoints
  • Configured health checks that reflect actual user experience

What I learned

  • Effective monitoring focuses on meaningful checks, not quantity
  • Early detection reduces troubleshooting time and downtime

Technologies
Uptime Kuma, Docker, HTTP monitoring

Configuration Automation and Repeatability (Ansible)

Problem
Manual configuration leads to inconsistency and slow rebuilds.

Solution

  • Began automating baseline system configuration with Ansible
  • Standardized common rebuild steps for predictability

What I learned

  • Automation is most valuable along the rebuild and recovery path
  • Idempotent tasks prevent configuration drift

Technologies
Ansible, Linux, SSH, YAML

In Progress

Network Engineering Practice Lab

Goal
Develop hands-on experience with routing and switching in a controlled lab environment.

Planned scope

  • Build multi-router virtual topologies
  • Practice OSPF concepts and failure scenarios
  • Introduce automation as the lab matures

Technologies
Virtual networking, routing fundamentals, automation concepts

What I am focusing on next

  • Converting more work into structured case studies
  • Adding simple architecture diagrams for each project
  • Mapping projects to DevNet-style skills and workflows