AstraCore is a sci‑fi inspired homelab platform built on Proxmox and Docker, focused on virtualization, automation, and distributed systems.
AstraCore is a multi-phase homelab project designed to evolve from a distributed, low-power cluster into a centralized, enterprise-style infrastructure.
The project serves as both a learning platform and a production-style environment, enabling experimentation with modern infrastructure concepts such as virtualization, containerization, storage, and network architecture.
Status: 🚧 Actively being built, tested, and refined. > Active build and experimentation phase using modular, low-power hardware.
- Hardware: 10-node ThinkCentre cluster (M73 / M93)
- Virtualization: Proxmox VE deployed across multiple nodes
- Containers: Docker workloads running within virtual machines
- Storage: TrueNAS (NFS)
- Compute: Distributed compute across multiple nodes with containerised workloads.
- Access: Reverse proxy for service exposure and VPN for secure remote management.
- Goals: Learn clustering concepts, build a flexible environment, and continuously optimize hardware.
Core services running within AstraCore, categorized by function:
| Category | Service | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 🌐 Networking & Security | AdGuard Home Traefik Cloudflare Tunnel WireGuard Authelia |
Network-wide DNS filtering & ad blocking Reverse proxy and dynamic routing Secure external access without port forwarding VPN for secure remote connectivity SSO / 2FA Authentication & access control |
| 🏠 Automation & IoT | Home Assistant OS TP-Link Tapo |
Smart home platform Device control and monitoring integration |
| 🎬 Media & Storage | Plex Sonarr / Radarr Prowlarr / Overseerr Immich |
Media streaming server Automated TV and Movie management Indexer management & media request system Self-hosted photo backup with AI/ML features |
| 📊 Monitoring & Dev | Portainer Grafana / Prometheus Loki / Promtail Uptime Kuma Diun Gitea NetBox |
Container management UI Metrics collection, monitoring, and visualizations Centralized log aggregation Service uptime monitoring Docker image update notifications Self-hosted Git service Network source of truth & IPAM |
| 🤖 AI & Local LLM | Ollama Open WebUI pve-ai2 |
Local LLM runtime Web interface for AI interaction (planned 16GB RAM upgrade) Secondary Ollama instance (dedicated AI node) |
| 🧰 Infrastructure & Utils | Proxmox Backup Server PostgreSQL qBittorrent / Recyclarr Homepage Rewards App |
VM and container backups Database backend Downloading & automated media quality management Unified family dashboard & service portal Internal/custom reward system |
Status: 📝 Planned — transition will begin following relocation. > Full redesign transitioning to a centralized, rack-based architecture.
- Primary Compute: Dell PowerEdge R610 running Proxmox VE
- Storage: Rack-mounted TrueNAS system (12-bay storage) providing shared ZFS-based storage
- Networking: Cisco 48-port managed switch & Sophos XG firewall
- Workloads: Docker workloads hosted within VMs, traffic routed via reverse proxy
- Consolidation: Centralized compute replacing distributed, low-power nodes.
- Networking: Enterprise-grade security and VLAN segmentation (Servers, IoT, Guest, Management).
- Resilience: ZFS-based storage with high redundancy.
- Efficiency: Simplified power, cooling, and hardware management.
- Outcome: Transition from a learning cluster to a highly reliable, production-style homelab.
AstraCore represents a modular compute core, built to evolve over time.
The long-term goal is to create a scalable, stable, and high-performance homelab platform that mirrors real-world enterprise infrastructure while remaining flexible for ongoing experimentation and learning.
- 🚧 Phase 1: In Development
- ⏳ Phase 2: Planned
This project is continuously evolving as new hardware, tools, and ideas are introduced. Expect regular changes, improvements, and experimentation throughout its development.