Building My Personal Cyberinfrastructure

Here's a suggested checklist and outline for learning about setting up your own personal cloud, which you could use as a framework for a series of blog posts in Obsidian:

1. Understanding the Basics

   • What is a personal cloud?
   • Benefits of self-hosting vs. commercial cloud services
   • Key components: hardware, software, networking

2. Planning Your Setup

   • Defining your needs and use cases
   • Choosing hardware (e.g., old PC, Raspberry Pi, NAS device)
   • Selecting an operating system (e.g., Ubuntu Server, Proxmox)

3. Network Configuration

   • Setting up a home network
   • Configuring your router
   • Understanding and implementing Dynamic DNS

4. Security Fundamentals

   • Importance of security in self-hosting
   • Basic security practices (firewalls, strong passwords, etc.)
   • Introduction to VPNs for remote access

5. Installing Core Software

   • Choosing cloud software (e.g., Nextcloud, ownCloud)
   • Step-by-step installation guide
   • Basic configuration and user setup

6. Data Management and Backup

   • Organizing your cloud storage
   • Implementing a backup strategy
   • Data redundancy options (e.g., RAID)

7. Advanced Features and Integrations

   • Calendar and contacts syncing
   • Document collaboration tools
   • Media streaming options

8. Remote Access Setup

   • Configuring port forwarding
   • Setting up a VPN server (e.g., OpenVPN, WireGuard)
   • Mobile app configuration

9. Maintenance and Troubleshooting

   • Regular update procedures
   • Monitoring system health
   • Common issues and their solutions

10. Expanding Your Cloud

    • Adding more storage
    • Implementing additional services (e.g., Plex, Home Assistant)
    • Exploring containerization with Docker

For each topic, you could create an Obsidian note that includes:

• Key concepts and definitions
• Step-by-step instructions or guides
• Resources used (links, books, videos)
• Personal notes and observations
• Challenges faced and solutions found

As you progress, link related notes together to create a web of knowledge. This approach will help you track your learning journey and create a valuable resource for future reference or sharing with others.