René Welches

TECH NOTES TO MYSELF

Expanding My Proxmox Cluster: Minisforum UM700 for $69

Adding a refurbished mini PC to my homelab cluster

A $75 refurbished Minisforum UM700 (Ryzen 7 3750H) makes a perfect second node for a Proxmox cluster. Step-by-step guide on creating a cluster, joining nodes, and understanding quorum with practical command references.

Posted by Rene Welches on Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Last Modified on Thursday, January 29, 2026

Securing Proxmox API Tokens with Apple Keychain Access for Terraform

Store and retrieve Proxmox credentials securely using macOS Keychain instead of plain text files

Securely manage Proxmox API tokens for Terraform using macOS Keychain Access. Eliminates plain text credential files and integrates seamlessly with automated Terraform workflows.

Posted by Rene Welches on Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Last Modified on Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Starting My Homelab Journey

Building a Proxmox-based homelab with GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra and setting up SSL certificates

Starting a homelab with a $256 GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (Ryzen 7 7730U) and Proxmox VE. Includes setting up self-signed SSL certificates for secure HTTPS across all homelab services including Home Assistant.

Posted by Rene Welches on Monday, December 8, 2025
Last Modified on Thursday, January 29, 2026

Secure Home Network Access with Twingate

Alternative setup to Pi-Hole and Pi-VPN with Twingate, Home Assistant and AdGuard Home

Modern zero-trust VPN setup using Twingate for secure home network access, with AdGuard Home for local DNS resolution. No port forwarding or DDNS required - a simpler alternative to Pi-Hole and PiVPN.

Posted by Rene Welches on Thursday, November 13, 2025
Last Modified on Thursday, January 29, 2026