Unraid is the GOAT for self hosting. An excellent way to learn VMs, Docker, and Linux in general. They have an “app store,” which is community templates for Docker containers, and have all the *arr programs you could want. Drive management is super easy, too.

It’s designed to scale. Plus it’s nifty to be able to add ~3 tags to a docker container and then it’s instantly online and ready to be used.

Think of it as more modular.

I personally used Traefik, but only because I’m a masochist and it would be useful to know in IT workplace.

Traefik + CrowdSec + CowdSec Traefik Bouncer.

Traefik handles the traffic, and said traffic has to get a green light from CrowdSec + Bouncer before it can go anywhere.

The concept of CrowdSec is honestly super awesome.

Reverse proxy with CrowdSec, which has setups specifically for Jellyfin. Docker for everything.

Get Unraid for your server OS. Its nuts how good it is at being beginner friendly, while being robust when needed. It has a docker app “store”, as well as plugins, and a virtual machine manager as well. It also has a very, very nice Web GUI: you manage the server from another PC you use in your house.

I can not overstate how much I learned by starting with Unraid.

The CPU was done in BIOS on an ASUS x570. For me it was under AI Tweaker > Precision Boost Override > Curve Optimizer.

The GPU was done in the driver software on Windows. Or LACT if on Linux.

Unraid + Unifi network equipment. Everything is scheduled and automatic, with the exception of large Unraid updates, but those are only every ~6 months. Every night mover from cache SSD - > HDD array, then checks for plugin updates, then docker container updates, if Monday morning SSD trim, and if 1st of the month does an array parity check/repair.

After all that if it’s Monday morning, Unifi will check for firmware then software updates.

Sometimes a docker container will get a breaking update maybe once a year, and then I just go look @ documentation and see what needs to be changed to the config to fix.

It will help some, and will also help temps, but AMD hardware does well with undervolting, especially the 5800X3D. I undervolt mine, and read the consensus that - 30 across all cores should be achievable for anyone, unless they’re really, really unlucky. My 6800 XT I also only run @ 92% Voltage, and it runs cooler and faster now, too.

Not sure if it’s exactly what you’re after, but Unifi gateways can install NextDNS with a script provided by NextDNS. It’s all the same lists as Pi-Hole, and possibly more intelligent ones, too. Bonus points are it makes every device in your home use encrypted DNS, as well!

I’m using it on a Dream Machine Pro, and the new Cloud Gateway Ultra.

Unraid!

Traefik + CrowdSec + Authelia ftw

Sounds familiar. Unraid? 🤠

Unraid does an excellent job at this. I helped a friend setup a rack mounted server, it runs home assistant, some other containers, and a VM for him to work in, or play games. AMD GPU being passed through.

Equalizer APO with PEACE for GUI.

I’ve been rocking recyclarr now for almost a year. Was a pain in the ass to figure out the config, but very nice automate another piece off the Arr machine.

Unraid is the GOAT when it comes to being headless for docker. They know how to walk the fine line of “this is too much. It’s bloat,” and “this is minimal and bare bones.” I seriously can’t hype them enough, and can’t do justice to describing their ease of use.

Adguard home is like pihole, but has built in encrypted DNS options. For easy mode NextDNS.

They pretty much all have the same block lists to choose from.

Chenbro makes quite a few ATX shallow rack mount cases. I have one and have no complaints.

I know you said you’re against rack mounting, but JUST in case:

I love the look and tidiness of a nice rack mount system. So I got a Chenbro 4U case. It’s perfect for reusing my old components, and it has a standard size area on the front to install a hot swap HDD cage.