Blog Posts - 2025

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Set up Plex remote access with a GL.iNet Flint 2 router
December 23, 2025 9 min read
Plex has built-in remote access that mostly just works, but you still have to configure your router to use it properly. Here is a quick guide on configuring a GL.iNet Flint 2 router, which probably also works with other GL.iNet routers using the same GUI.
Using a Google TV streaming device with Tailscale to remotely stream my Plex library while on vacation
October 28, 2025 11 min read
I have a Plex Pass subscription, but unfortunately Plex's built-in remote access won't work behind CGNAT, so I use Tailscale to securely access my Plex library and entire home network when I'm not home. Aside from streaming music or video from my phone or tablet at work, I've also started taking a Google TV stick on vacation with me, and with the Tailscale and Plex apps I can stream my library of movies, TV shows and music from anywhere that has a TV and Wi-Fi.
How to upgrade from Debian 12 Bookworm to Debian 13 Trixie
May 21, 2025 4 min read
My old Dell Optiplex has been a great desktop PC for just minimal interneting and coding. I've been running Debian 12 Bookworm on it since it became available. Now that Debian 13 Trixie is available I upgraded to it, and it was a smooth and painless transition. Here's the process.
Bypass the Plex Pass and Remote Watch Pass requirements for Plex remote access by using Tailscale
May 17, 2025 12 min read
Beginning April 29th, 2025 the pricing for Plex Pass increased at the same time that remote access got paywalled behind it. Plex no longer allows streaming your own content outside of your home network without paying for Plex Pass, or the new Remote Watch Pass. You can bypass these paywalls, at least for now, by using Tailscale.
Setup Apt-Cacher NG as a caching proxy server in your homelab and configure your other Linux hosts to use it
March 3, 2025 4 min read
If your homelab has more than a few servers or VMs running Debian-based distributions, it makes sense to set up a package caching proxy on one of your servers. This guide will show how to set that up, configure your other Linux hosts, and optionally how to use Ansible to automate configuring those other hosts.
How to remove CasaOS from a ZimaBoard and upgrade to Debian 12 Bookworm
February 10, 2025 4 min read
ZimaBoard is an x86 single board server that comes running Debian 11 Bullseye and CasaOS. It's a cool little machine, but after a few months I realized I don't like CasaOS. Nothing against it, I'm just set in my way of doing things, and their GUI was limiting some of my options. In this post I'll explain how to remove CasaOS from the ZimaBoard and then upgrade it to Debian 12.
How I set up a home server for self-hosting and as a NAS with secure remote access via Tailscale
January 31, 2025 20 min read
I turned my old Dell PC into an all-in-one home server and network attached storage to self-host all my data, my photos, and my media library, running Home Assistant, Plex and other services, all securely accessible from outside my home with Tailscale.
Setting up a reverse proxy for HTTPS with a custom domain using Nginx Proxy Manager, AdGuard Home and Cloudflare
January 28, 2025 13 min read
I've used a reverse proxy to access my self-hosted apps and services for years, and used Pi-Hole as my home network DNS for even longer, but recently switched to AdGuard Home. That meant redoing all my DNS records within AdGuard so I could get my reverse proxy back up and running, and I decided to write down the steps I took. When done, we'll be able to access our apps and services through a custom domain, with unique sub-domains for each app or service, with full HTTPS and accessible only locally.