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.
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.
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.
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I recently repurposed an old HP i3 laptop that had been idle due to outdated hardware.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 simplify access, I used WebToApp to convert IP addresses into APK files for direct access to services via mobile apps. I also created a Blogspot page to organize network links, offering LAN access for low latency and WAN access for remote use.