The Life of an SRE: From Day Job to HomeLabineer

As an SRE (Site Reliability Engineer) by day and a HomeLabineer by night, my life revolves around the fascinating world of technology and automation. During the day, I ensure the smooth operation and reliability of complex systems, while at night, I immerse myself in the endless possibilities of home automation.

One of my favorite projects is setting up permanent holiday lights using smart devices. With the help of Home Assistant, Zigbee, and Zwave technologies, I can create stunning lighting displays that can be controlled remotely. It brings joy not only to me but also to my neighbors who are always amazed by the magical ambiance.

Speaking of Home Assistant, it is the heart and soul of my home automation setup. This open-source platform allows me to integrate various smart devices and create seamless automations. From controlling lights and thermostats to managing security cameras and door locks, Home Assistant is the ultimate tool for turning a house into a smart home.

When it comes to networking, I rely on Unifi equipment to ensure reliable and fast connections throughout my home. With their range of access points, switches, and routers, I can create a robust network that supports all my automation needs. Plus, the Unifi Controller makes it easy to manage and monitor my network from a centralized interface.

To handle the vast amount of video data from my security cameras, I use Blue Iris, a powerful video management software. It allows me to record, view, and manage multiple camera feeds simultaneously. With Blue Iris, I can rest assured that my home is secure, and I can easily access the footage whenever needed.

Containerization is another essential aspect of my setup, and Docker is my go-to solution. With Docker and Portainer, I can easily deploy and manage containers, making it effortless to run various applications and services. Whether it’s a media server, a file-sharing platform, or a development environment, Docker simplifies the process and ensures scalability.

As a developer, my trusty companion is Visual Studio Code (VSCode). This versatile code editor provides a seamless development experience with its extensive plugin ecosystem and powerful features. Whether I’m writing scripts, configuring my smart home, or working on personal projects, VSCode is my go-to tool.

Of course, all my automation and development work is built on the solid foundation of Linux, specifically Ubuntu. Its stability, flexibility, and vast community support make it the perfect operating system for my needs. Whether I’m running Home Assistant, Docker containers, or managing my virtualization environment with ESXi, Ubuntu never fails to deliver.

Speaking of virtualization, I rely on ESXi to create and manage virtual machines for various purposes. It allows me to run multiple operating systems simultaneously, enabling me to experiment, test, and deploy new technologies without impacting my main setup. ESXi provides the flexibility and isolation I need to maintain a stable and reliable home automation environment.

For storage, I trust QNAP NAS devices to handle the vast amount of data generated by my home automation setup. With their RAID capabilities and extensive storage options, QNAP NAS ensures that my data is safe and accessible at all times. Whether it’s media files, backups, or documents, I can rely on QNAP to store and protect my valuable data.

No home automation setup is complete without a powerful media server, and Plex is my weapon of choice. With Plex, I can organize and stream my media library to any device, anywhere. Whether it’s movies, TV shows, or music, Plex makes it easy to enjoy my favorite content without any hassle.

Last but not least, I rely on the ARR Suite and Paperless for my administrative tasks and document management. The ARR Suite provides automation and monitoring capabilities for my infrastructure, ensuring that everything runs smoothly. On the other hand, Paperless helps me go paperless by digitizing and organizing my documents, making it easy to search and retrieve information.

Being an SRE by day and a HomeLabineer by night is a fulfilling and exciting journey. It allows me to apply my skills and passion for technology both in my professional life and personal projects. The world of home automation is constantly evolving, and I can’t wait to see what new technologies and possibilities the future holds.