Jackdjd - Proxmox Server

Proxmox Server

I decided to repurpose a mini Dell Optiplex PC into a Proxmox server to host several services I wanted to run, including a Minecraft server, Pi-hole, and Wazuh.

Through this project, I gained a deep understanding of virtualization on Linux and significantly enhanced my knowledge of the Linux command-line interface (CLI) and how to use it effectively.

What where my requirements for this server?

It had to be compact.

The PC would be placed downstairs near my router, so it needed to be compact and unobtrusive to fit neatly in the dining room without taking up too much space or disrupting the environment.

It had to be power efficient.

I wanted the server to be energy-efficient and not costly on my electricity bill, aiming for power usage under 80 watts and significantly lower consumption during idle periods.

It had to be affordable.

The total cost had to stay under £100, covering the PC itself, memory, and storage upgrades.

It had to be able to run Linux.

I wanted to install Proxmox on the system to set up and manage virtual machines tailored to my needs. These included a DNS blackhole for ad-blocking, a Minecraft server for gaming, and an SIEM for security monitoring.

What did I get?

I purchased a Dell OptiPlex 3060 Micro PC featuring an 8th Gen i5 processor for just £79.99 on eBay. This left me with a generous £20 remaining in my budget to allocate toward memory and storage upgrades.

The PC

The Process

Check the System

I needed to check the system and make sure I got what I bought. This included checking the CPU, Memory & Storage. I then booted the computer into Windows as a first test.

Upgrade the system

I upgraded the system by doubling the RAM to 16GB of DDR4 2666 MHz and adding a 500GB 2.5" SATA SSD.

Plan what I want to do

I needed to plan exactly what I wanted to do with this system, this included choosing the Operating System based on the power it has, and what Software I wanted to get installed on this.

Install the Operating System

I installed Proxmox as this is a powerful open-source virtualization platform that catered to all of my needs. Features like KVM Support, ZFS Support, Clustering, Snapshot support and the Web UI made me choose this as an OS.

Create Virtual Machines
I decided to create 3 Virtual Machines, these were PiHole, Wazuh and a Minecraft Server.

The Virtual Machines

Pi Hole

I set up a Raspberry Pi OS Virtual Machine to run Pi-hole, a powerful DNS sinkhole that blocks ads across all devices on your network by acting as the DNS server. Additionally, Pi-hole allows you to create custom local A records for services hosted on your home network.

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Wazuh

I set up Wazuh on a virtual machine in my home network by installing the Wazuh manager, configuring agents on monitored devices, and using its built-in features for centralized log management and analysis.

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Minecraft Server

I set up a Minecraft server on a virtual machine in my home network by installing the server software, configuring the server settings, and managing it for custom gameplay and local multiplayer sessions.

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