English
Skip to content
Homelab: From Zero to One Practical Series
从硬件选型到终极远程访问 | 一份完整的 Homelab 搭建与运维指南
A complete hands-on guide to building a Homelab from scratch. It covers server hardware selection and assembly, ESXi virtualization platform deployment, vCenter centralized management configuration, intranet planning and isolation, unexpected power loss fault recovery, Cloudflare Tunnel zero-trust remote access, Nginx unified access layer architecture, and deployment practices for applications such as GitLab, Kubernetes clusters, and distributed storage. It includes complete configuration code and operations scripts, ready to use.
Chapter 1
Building a Homelab from Scratch (1): Creating an ESXi 8.0 Bootable USB on macOSA detailed record of the complete process for creating an ESXi 8.0 bootable USB on macOS using balenaEtcher, including ISO download, burning steps, and resolving the "no partition table found" warning — preparing for Homelab server installation.Chapter 2
ESXi 8.0 NTP Time Synchronization Configuration Tutorial: Step-by-Step Guide to Using Alibaba Cloud Public NTP ServiceA detailed introduction to the complete steps for configuring NTP service on VMware ESXi 8.0, using the Alibaba Cloud public NTP server ntp.aliyun.com for precise time synchronization, with common troubleshooting and best-practice recommendations.Chapter 3
ESXi 8.0 DNS Configuration Pitfall Guide: How Exactly Should You Fill in Domain Name and Search Domains?A step-by-step guide to correctly filling in ESXi 8.0's Domain name and Search domains to avoid save errors. Includes real screenshots, solving the two common problems "Please provide a valid domain name" and "Please provide valid search domains."Chapter 4
Complete Guide to Installing and Deploying vCenter Server 8.0 | Building a vSphere Management Platform from ScratchThis article explains in detail the complete installation and deployment process of VMware vCenter Server 8.0, covering ESXi target deployment, network configuration, SSO domain creation, NTP time synchronization, and post-installation verification and configuration recommendations. Includes complete screenshots, so even beginners can get started easily.Chapter 5
Complete Guide to Adding an ESXi Host to vCenter Server 8.0 | The First Step to Building a vSphere ClusterA detailed record of the complete process for adding an ESXi host to vCenter Server 8.0. From vSphere Client login, creating a datacenter, the add-host wizard, certificate confirmation, and license assignment, to finally verifying the host and VM inventory. Suitable for Homelab beginners and virtualization operations developers.Chapter 6
Homelab Unexpected Power Outage Recovery Record: Complete Resolution of vCenter Startup Failure "no healthy upstream"Server won't boot after a home power outage, and vCenter reports no healthy upstream? This article completely records the entire process of hardware troubleshooting, CMOS reset, ESXi boot recovery, and manual vCenter service repair after an unexpected Homelab power outage, providing a reusable server exception recovery guide.Chapter 7
The Most Elegant Homelab Remote Access Solution: Cloudflare Tunnel Zero Trust in PracticeNo public IP, no open ports — securely access your home ESXi, vCenter, and any intranet service through Cloudflare Tunnel. A complete record of the whole process from cloudflared installation and tunnel creation to multi-service routing configuration, with both minimalist and advanced configuration paths.Chapter 8
The Ultimate Homelab Remote Access Architecture: Cloudflare Tunnel + Nginx Unified Access LayerNo more assigning a subdomain to every service, no more struggling with how to tunnel SSH. Through an Nginx unified access layer + Cloudflare Tunnel, achieve intelligent routing of HTTP/HTTPS and TCP (e.g., SSH) traffic, building a scalable ultimate remote access solution for your Homelab.Chapter 9
Troubleshooting Record: vSphere Datastore File Locked and Cannot Be Deleted or MovedIn a vSphere environment, a datastore file was locked because a VM's CD/DVD continuously mounted an ISO. The file lock was fully released by deleting snapshots + shutting down. A complete troubleshooting record.Chapter 10
Complete Guide to Adding a New Hard Drive in ESXi 8.0: VMFS Datastore Creation Pitfalls and PracticeBased on real ESXi 8.0 Host Client screenshots, a detailed explanation of the full workflow of new hard drive recognition, VMFS 6 formatting, and datastore mounting, including capacity display differences and partitioning pitfalls.Extra: Part 1
vSphere Content Library Creation Tutorial: Local Library Setup and VM Template Management (Illustrated)Using 7 hands-on screenshots, this article teaches you step by step how to create a local content library in vSphere Client from scratch. Covers name configuration, type selection, security policy, storage addition, and verification steps — helping operations staff centrally manage VM templates and OVF files and say goodbye to scattered templates.Extra: Part 2
Complete Practice of Cloning a vSphere Virtual Machine into an OVF Template: From VM to Content Library to R2 StorageA step-by-step demonstration of the complete process for cloning a vSphere virtual machine into an OVF template. Covers right-click clone operations, OVF type selection, content library storage, export verification, packaging as tar.gz and uploading to R2 object storage, and a pre-configuration checklist for the Ubuntu 22.04 template (root + SSH + base components + Shell optimization). Includes complete screenshots, suitable for Homelab enthusiasts and virtualization operations developers, enabling centralized template management and rapid batch deployment.Extra: Part 3
vSphere OVF Template Batch Deployment in Practice: From Content Library to Production Virtual MachinesA detailed demonstration of the complete process for batch deploying Ubuntu 22.04 virtual machines from OVF templates in a vSphere content library. Covers template import into the content library, OVF deployment wizard configuration, static IP modification, SSH remote login verification, and other core steps, achieving rapid delivery of fully configured server nodes in 6–12 minutes. Includes complete screenshots, suitable for Homelab enthusiasts and K8s cluster operations developers.