Tellsanguis
cb1640c1cc
Add WOL relay, VPN server, and DNS/PiHole to the list of initial homelab projects. Consolidate audio services (Bluetooth, AirPlay, UPnP) on a single line for better readability.
4.3 KiB
About Me
Systems and network administrator specializing in cross-platform automation (Ansible/PowerShell/Bash), virtualization & containerization (Proxmox/Docker), and Active Directory. RNCP Level 6 certified through OpenClassrooms, with skills acquired through 12 technical projects covering enterprise networking, monitoring, backup/disaster recovery, and offensive security. Running a production homelab for continuous R&D.
The Beginning
It all started as a simple hobby with my first Minecraft servers back in 2013: custom game launchers, configuration file management, and my first Bash scripts, followed by Python around 2015.
In 2017, I built my first homelab with a Raspberry Pi that I used for various projects:
- Bluetooth audio server, AirPlay, UPnP
- Retro gaming console
- WOL relay (to wake my PC outside my local network)
- VPN server
- DNS server / PiHole
Discovering Self-Hosting
Initially, I was motivated by the desire to test and experiment: seeing if I could access my files or services remotely. Then came the practical aspect and the desire to keep my data on my own machines.
It was around 2020 that I discovered Docker. My first server was very simple: a few docker run commands with Nginx Proxy Manager and admin access via WireGuard.
Over time, I deepened my knowledge:
- Transitioning to Docker Compose files
- Networking concepts: subnets, VLANs, ACLs
- Moving from bare metal to virtualization
This led me to my current architecture: an Ubuntu server deployed under Proxmox, automated with Ansible and Docker Compose files.
Career Change
Before IT, I pursued a path in Literature: a degree from the University of Caen, then working as a contract French teacher in the National Education system for sophomore, STMG junior, and vocational degree classes.
In parallel, I worked as a civic service coordinator in health prevention at LMDE, and as a BAFA-certified youth worker for several years.
After a period of travel and seasonal work, I decided to turn what had been a passionate hobby into my profession: making systems and network administration my career. In November 2024, I enrolled in the Systems, Network, and Security Administrator program at OpenClassrooms.
The OpenClassrooms Program
This program, leading to an RNCP Level 6 certification (equivalent to a Bachelor's/Master's degree), allowed me to formalize and deepen my skills through 12 technical projects covering the full SysAdmin/DevOps spectrum:
- ITSM Management: GLPI ticketing, ITIL methodology
- Network Architecture: multi-VLAN LAN design, firewalls, IP addressing plans
- Containerization: deploying n-tier architectures with Docker
- Security Hardening: Apache hardening, Fail2ban, SSL certificates, encrypted FTP
- Windows Infrastructure: site-to-site VPN, Active Directory, RODC, GPO
- Cisco Networking: VLAN, ACL, EtherChannel, NAT/PAT, IPv6
- Monitoring: Nagios, custom probes, syslog centralization
- Automation: cross-platform Ansible, GLPI integration
- Backups: Bash rsync scripts (FULL/INC/DIFF), disaster recovery planning
- Compliance: applying ANSSI guidelines for healthcare IT systems
- Offensive Security: Active Directory auditing, pentesting (nmap, Mimikatz, Kerberoasting)
- Cloud: AWS migration, technical architecture, cost estimation
I obtained my certification ahead of schedule on November 6, 2025, after less than a year of training.
Details for each project are available in the OpenClassrooms Projects section.
Toward Infrastructure as Code and DevOps
The Infrastructure as Code aspect immediately appealed to me and led me to explore:
- The DevOps philosophy
- Terraform and its open-source counterpart OpenTofu
- Git and CI/CD pipelines
- Kubernetes
- Distributed storage and high availability
My current goal: a three-node Proxmox cluster (two production machines and one witness for quorum), after initially considering running all these tools on a single machine for cost reasons.
This architecture is currently being implemented in my Homelab repository. The previous architecture remains deployed in parallel to ensure a smooth migration.