cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/1411505

I’m currently using a Windows machine as the “server” in my home lab, but I just ordered some new hardware and I’d like to change things up to add some more flexibility and capability.

Based on my research so far, my plan is to install Proxmox on the bare metal and use it to run any regular VMs I need. However, I am still trying to figure out what to do about containers.

I know Proxmox also, supports LXC containers, but based on everything I’ve read, I think I’d like to use something more “industry standard”. I was thinking Docker, but it sounds like Podman is lighter and more secure, so I am now leaning that direction. I plan on setting up an Ubuntu server VM in Proxmox and running Podman on that.

I’m thinking of running full blown VMs for more complex applications (Plex for example), but containers for simple applications (Pihole, ddclient, cloudflared, etc).

Does that all sound like a reasonable plan? Are there any obvious gotchas I might be missing? Any tips or resources you’d recommend for a first time user of Podman (and containers in general)?

I have been doing my own research and I think it’s going well but sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know, so I’d value a second opinion.

I am pretty tech savvy, so I don’t mind learning new things. Windows has always been my primary platform, but I would like to branch out a bit and containers are starting to seem like a must for personal and professional growth. I’m pretty familiar with virtualization (mostly VMWare) but I’m new to containers.

Thanks in advance for taking a look and sharing any tips!

  • DevoidWisdomEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    Have you got your setup going yet? I recently started using Proxmox and initially was planning to run Podman containers inside LXC’s. I settled running programs directly inside LXC and cutout the extra step. I do have Podman running on a full VM for a few small game servers. Then 3 LXC’s for Pihole+unbound, Gitea, FTP server.

    • joelslaw@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      Funny enough, I think I came to the same conclusion. I was trying to get some simple applications setup in docker (was going to start there, then move to podman) but I was having some trouble getting it going. I was finding it super inconvenient to try to get config files and logs in and out of the container. So I decided to give LXC containers a try and man are they way easier! I now have cloudflared, inadyn, and Pihole all running in LXC containers and I’m pretty happy with them.

      I will still likely setup docker and podman VMs, and maybe Kubernetes down the line, because I need to get more familiar with the for work. But I am thinking about just sticking with LXC for my personal applications.

      Also, since it sounds like you are still learning Proxmox, like me, I’ll share this: https://youtu.be/LCjuiIswXGs It’s a whole Proxmox course by “Learn Linux TV” on YouTube. I am working through it one video at a time and it has been super helpful and informative!

      Thanks for sharing your insights!