Old Laptop to a Powerful Home Server Setup

Objective:

Repurpose old hardware (an HP laptop and Raspberry Pi) to create a fully functional, multi-OS virtualized environment with personal cloud storage, secure IoT integration, VoIP systems, and remote access—all protected by a robust security infrastructure that combines VPN, encryption, firewalls, and intrusion detection.

Project Overview:

I built an integrated solution combining cloud computing, cybersecurity, IoT automation, and private cloud storage using low-cost hardware like a Raspberry Pi 5 and an old HP i3 laptop. The project showcases my skills in virtualization, remote access with Cloudflare Tunnel and Tailscale VPN, cloud services, and penetration testing, all while using open-source tools.

Key Technologies and Skills Demonstrated:

Virtualization: Proxmox VE, LXC containers, multiple VMs including Ubuntu Server, Kali Linux, Windows 11, Android TV OS.

Networking: Tailscale (VPN using WireGuard), Cloudflare Tunnel (secure remote access), Ethernet & Wi-Fi bridging.

Cloud & IoT: CasaOS, UmbrelOS, OpenMediaVault, Nextcloud (private cloud storage), Tasmota (IoT home automation).

VoIP: Asterisk and FreePBX for local IVR and VoIP systems.

Turning an Old HP Laptop into a Multi-OS Virtualization Platform:

I recently repurposed an old HP i3 laptop that had been idle due to outdated hardware. To bring it back to life, I upgraded the storage with an SSD, increased the RAM, and modified the power button to enable booting without opening the lid (since the laptop does not support Wake-on-LAN (WoL)). Initially, I kept the lid open for video output, but the modification allowed for a sleeker setup.

Installing Proxmox VE and Multiple Operating Systems

After the hardware upgrades, I installed Proxmox VE, a powerful virtualization platform. Using Proxmox, I configured and installed several operating systems including Ubuntu Server, Ubuntu Desktop, Kali Linux, Windows 11, Windows Server, and Android TV OS, along with a few LXC containers. Each virtual machine (VM) was set up with automatic backups and snapshots for easy management and disaster recovery.

I accessed all VMs through Proxmox’s built-in VNC feature, which can be used via any web browser, offering convenient access from anywhere.

Networking Setup

For network connectivity, I connected the HP laptop to my personal laptop using an Ethernet cable, leveraging the internet connection shared by the personal laptop. This ensures that the HP laptop stays consistently online and accessible within the network.

Additionally, I set up a Raspberry Pi 5 running UmbrelOS and CasaOS, connected to my network via both Ethernet and Wi-Fi. Several demo apps were installed on the Pi for testing purposes.

Remote Access with Cloudflare and Tailscale

To enable secure remote access, I installed Cloudflare Tunnel on both the HP laptop and the Raspberry Pi. This allows me to securely access these devices outside my home network through Cloudflare-generated links. I also created subdomains under my existing domain for easy access to each device via dedicated URLs.

I integrated Tailscale, using WireGuard for a seamless VPN solution. By connecting all my devices to Tailscale using my Gmail account, I gained access to my home network through IPv4 addresses assigned via the Tailscale dashboard. This setup was successfully tested across various platforms, including Windows and Android NetHunter, allowing full SSH and ping access to all hosts, such as Proxmox, UmbrelOS, and CasaOS, even when off-network.

Simplifying Access with WebToApp and Blogspot

To make things more convenient, I used WebToApp to convert these IP addresses into APK files, allowing direct access to specific services via dedicated mobile apps.

I also created a Blogspot page to organize all the network access links. Each service has two options: LAN for internal network access to minimize latency, and WAN for remote access when outside the home network.

Use Cases: Personal Cloud, Web Server, Media Streaming, and Home Automation

Private Cloud Storage
I attached a 500GB SSD to the Raspberry Pi 5 and configured it as a personal cloud using Nextcloud and OpenMediaVault (OMV). This setup allows me to access files from anywhere across multiple platforms, including Windows (via SMB), Linux, and Android—providing my own private cloud solution.

Proxmox for Cloud Computing
The Proxmox setup enables cloud computing tasks, accessible via SSH or VNC, even when outside my home network.

Web Server
I configured a web server on the Proxmox environment for hosting personal projects and demos.

IoT and Home Automation
Several IoT devices configured for home automation (such as Tasmota) operate only on the LAN, without internet connectivity. Using Tailscale and Cloudflare Tunnel, I can now remotely monitor and control these devices from anywhere.

Media Server
I installed Plex and Jellyfin to stream my personal media collection across devices within my network and beyond.

VoIP System Setup
On the Ubuntu Server, I installed Asterisk and FreePBX to set up a basic IVR system using 3CX. This allowed me to establish a functional VoIP system on my LAN, which I successfully tested on multiple phones—it works seamlessly.

Proxy Browser
To ensure secure browsing, I set up Firefox inside both CasaOS and UmbrelOS for use as a proxy browser.

All Done for Free!

The best part? Everything was done at no cost! Apart from electricity and internet expenses, all the tools and services I used are open-source and completely free.