Stop using your ISP's DNS

https://www.xda-developers.com/please-stop-using-your-isps-dns/

"...  if you're still using the DNS servers that your ISP or cellular provider set up when you first got service, ... those plaintext queries get stored and sold to advertisers and anyone else who might want to get their hands on the information they hold."

"In no particular order, each of these DNS providers will be more secure and private than your ISP's:

• Cloudflare (1.1.1.1): Runs a large chunk of the internet, known for not blocking sites unless known as a threat
• Quad9 (9.9.9.9): Encrypted DNS, also known for not blocking sites without them serving malware or other threats
• Control D (76.76.2.2): No logging, various encryption methods, and works on Apple devices
• AdGuard Public DNS: Anonymized, uses some filtering, has Apple profiles."

"But self-hosting gives you more control - You get ad-blocking, locally resolved domains, and more":

" Self-hosting a DNS server is deceptively simple to do these days, whether you choose from any of the options, including Unbound, AdGuard Home, PowerDNS, or my personal favorite, Technitium. You'll still want to have some queries sent to an external DNS server in an encrypted manner for fallback, but having your own local DNS server making its own encrypted requests will increase the security and privacy of your home network and the devices using that DNS server."

The comments are interesting also.

Start a Hyper-V virtual machine (VM) automatically on boot-up

From MS Search Assistant:
"To start a Hyper-V virtual machine automatically on boot, open Hyper-V Manager, select the VM, go to Settings, and under 'Automatic Start Action', choose 'Always start this virtual machine automatically'. Make sure to apply the changes for each VM you want to start automatically. woshub.com redmondmag.com

Configuring Automatic Startup for Hyper-V VMs:
To ensure your Hyper-V virtual machines (VMs) start automatically when your host system boots up, follow these steps:

Setting Automatic Start Action:
    Open Hyper-V Manager:
        Launch Hyper-V Manager from your Windows system.

    Select the VM:
        In the left pane, select the Hyper-V host.
        In the middle pane, choose the virtual machine you want to configure.

    Access VM Settings:
        Click on "Settings" in the right "Actions" pane.

    Configure Automatic Start Action:
        Navigate to Automatic Start Action in the settings menu.
        Choose Always start this virtual machine automatically.

Additional Options:
    Startup Delay: You can set a delay for the VM to start after the host boots. This helps manage the boot order if you have multiple VMs.

    PowerShell Configuration: You can also use PowerShell to set the automatic start action. For example:

powershell:
    Set-VM -VMName "YourVMName" -AutomaticStartAction Start

Verifying Hyper-V Services:
Ensure that the necessary Hyper-V services are set to start automatically:

•     Hyper-V Virtual Machine Management: Should be set to Automatic.
•     Hyper-V Host Compute Service: Also set to Automatic.

Conclusion:
By following these steps, your Hyper-V VMs will automatically start when your host system boots up, streamlining your virtualization management."

Hyper-V: Configuring Automatic Startup and Boot Order of VMs:
https://woshub.com/hyper-v-vm-automatic-startup-boot-order/

How to make Hyper-V virtual machine launch automatically at startup:
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/make-hyper-v-virtual-machine-launch-automatically-at-startup
"Hyper-V mainly offers three launch options:
   *  Nothing: If you choose this option, Hyper-V won't start the virtual machine when you start your computer.
   *  Automatically start if it was running when the service stopped: At times, we restart our computer suddenly when it freezes or hangs a lot. If Hyper-V was running when you restarted the computer, Hyper-V will run the virtual machine automatically when you start your PC.
  *  Always start this virtual machine automatically: If you choose this option, Hyper-V will start the virtual machine automatically at startup. Whether it was running when you restarted your PC or not, Hyper-V will start the selected virtual machine without any prior permission."
"It is also possible to delay the start of the virtual machine. This helps when you want it to start automatically but wait for a few moments first. It is possible to set this up with the help of the Hyper-V Manager as well as PowerShell."

Hyper-V VMs start on same host after restart:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/812263/hyper-v-vms-start-on-same-host-after-restart
"You can view and change the automatic startup and shutdown settings of your Hyper-V virtual machines using PowerShell.

Display the current startup and shutdown settings of all VMs:

Get-VM –VMname * | Select-Object VMname,AutomaticStartAction,AutomaticStartDelay,AutomaticStopAction "

#Virtual Environment, #VM, #Server, #Automation

Home Assistant open-source software for home automation.

Home Assistant:  https://www.home-assistant.io/

• Getting started:  https://www.home-assistant.io/installation/
• Documentation:  https://www.home-assistant.io/docs/
• Integrations:  https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/?brands=featured -
• X10:  https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/x10/ -
• HEYU - X10 Automation for Linux, Unix, and Mac OS X:  https://www.heyu.org/

Home Assistant:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_Assistant
"Home Assistant is free and open-source software used to enable centralized home automation. It is a smart home controller that serves both as a smart home hub (sometimes called a "smart gateway") and an integration platform designed for interoperability, allowing users to have a single point of control and enable automating different smart home devices from a central location regardless of manufacturer or brand."
"The Home Assistant software application is commonly run on a computer appliance with "Home Assistant Operating System" that will act as a central control system for home automation (commonly called a smart home hub/gateway/bridge/controller), that has the purpose of controlling IoT connectivity technology devices, software, applications and services from third-parties via modular integration components, including native integration components for common wired or wireless communication protocols and standards for IoT products such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave, EnOcean, and Thread/Matter (used to create either local personal area networks or direct ad hoc connections with small smart home devices using low-power digital radios), or Wi-Fi and Ethernet connected devices on a home network / local area network (LAN)."

"Home Assistant supports controlling devices and services connected via either open and proprietary ecosystems or commercial smart home hubs/gateways/bridges as long they provide public access via some kind of open API or MQTT interface to allow for third-party integration over either the local area network or Internet, which includes integrations for Alexa Smart Home (Amazon Echo), Google Nest (Google Home), HomeKit (Apple Home), Samsung SmartThings, and Philips Hue."

"Home Assistant has its operating system implementation and is compatible to be installed directly on many hardware platforms including single-board computers (for example Intel NUC (mini-PC)), Raspberry Pi and Hardkernel ODROID, as well as virtual machines and most Network-Attached Storage systems. Installing the Home Assistant Operating System image on such other officially recommended hardware platforms just requires installing or flashing a corresponding system image onto a local storage from which the Home Assistant OS can boot from. Optionally it is possible to install the Home Assistant container on other operating systems like Linux, macOS, or Windows (under Windows Subsystem for Linux), but it then it is not possible to install addons and other features that is built-into the supervised operating system so will not get the same experience."

What Is Home Assistant? And Why Isn't Everyone Using It?
https://www.howtogeek.com/what-is-home-assistant-and-why-isnt-everyone-using-it/
" *    Home Assistant works with everything so you can connect all of your smart devices, no matter which platforms they support or how obscure they are.
  *    Automate your smart home like a pro by building complex rules to make your smart home work for you.
  *    The platform is simple and easy to use, so anyone in your household can control your whole smart home without breaking a sweat."
"Being an open-source and free product, Home Assistant isn't tied to any specific brand, offering a flexible solution that seamlessly integrates diverse smart devices. Getting started is remarkably easy, with a range of installation options to suit your needs.
You can run Home Assistant on a dedicated device like a Raspberry Pi, which is how I've set it up. Alternatively, you can repurpose an old computer or home server or even opt for a pre-built Home Assistant device for a hassle-free experience."

From FB Home Assistant group:
"Beginner here, started 2 weeks ago.  First impression, a bit of a learning curve.  So between YouTube, members in different groups and heavy use of ChatGPT was able to get a working dashboard.  This is the path from start to finish.
1. Installed HA on VMware Player v17 successfully and was able to open ESPHome.
2. Had no smart devices so I made my own using an ESP32-Wroom.  Installed a new device (ESP32) and installed the YAML code to it by USB.  Base system.  Flashed fine and showed up in the system.
3.  Added a DHT22 to it and YAML code made by ChatGPT and installed via USB.  Compiled ok and could see the temperature and humidity in the scrolling text.
4. Added 2 gauges on the dashboard linked to the temp/humidity entity and worked fine.  Modified the YAML code to add a static IP so I could install wirelessly without worrying about DHCP changing my IP.
5. Added a new device, Arduino Esp32S3 then added a LDR (light dependent resistor). Again, ChatGPT to the rescue.  Some changes needed.  The data value increases with less light so had ChatGPT invert that and to change the gauge from using voltage to displaying 0-100%.  Added gauge to dashboard.
6. Added a BME280 temp/hum/pressure sensor entity and added to the dashboard successfully.
Decided I didn't want my workstation running HA 24/7 so I looked at standalone options.  Saw home assistant green/yellow, RPi and x86 (including mini PC).  Had an Intel NUC in storage that was used as a media center computer so dusted it off.
I Used the Ubuntu method to install HA on the NUC successfully.  Of course I lost most of my dashboard and entities so I started nearly from scratch to rebuild it.
Very basic dashboard but happy I got there in 2 weeks.
Photos:
1.  The ESP32-Wroom and ESP32S3 wired up.
2.  The Intel NUC with 11" monitor
3.  Phone display of the dashboard
4.  RedMi Pad 2 android tablet display"

"... maybe install HA inside PROXMOX or another Virtual Machine. Very light, speedy & useful for backup / snapshots !"

"I'm currently running it with Supervisor on a Pi 5, which I also use as a regular PC. When Supervisor support ends sometime around December, I'll probably switch to running HA OS in a virtual machine.
HACS is also a useful add-on. For example, there are integrations for cat feeders (Petkit), cameras (Tapo), themes (Material UI), and many other things that aren't part of the standard integrations.
I built my own outdoor weather station — it's cheaper that way. For the lights, I use a mix of Tapo and Emos (Tuya), but Nous should work well too. For sockets, I use Tapo . One motion sensor is Tapo, and the other one is also homemade, similar to the weather station, built from an RPI Pico (Arduino is too expensive). Then I also have the Tapo hub and a Tapo two-channel switch.
I have Starlink internet, though I haven't managed to get the integration working yet. I also use other HACS elements, like astronomical graphs. During setup, it even discovered my printer automatically, as well as the Nest Mini and maybe a few other devices."

"I think most folks doing HA are using premade devices for stuff like temp/humidity/etc - it's a lot simpler to set up compared to programming arduinos or esp32 devices. You can get decent temp/etc sensors for like $20 or so a pop that connect via zigbee. I quite like the Thirdreality branded stuff from Amazon
That said, arduinos and esp32's would still have a place for more niche uses that store bought devices don't cover. One I'll probably set up mine for, my electric provider's meter has an IR LED on the top that pulses every time a watt hour is consumed. I'll set up an arduino or something with an IR receiver so I can collect electricity usage data"

"Add Google drive backup, it's fantastic and free. One day something will go bonkers and everything will be gone if you don't.
Keep having fun, rule #1."

Avoid HDD deals that are too good to be true

"Counterfeiters are using intricate methods to pass off used desktop drives from Seagate, WD, and Toshiba as high-capacity surveillance drives. With fake drives permeating all sales channels, here's what you can do to protect yourself." 

https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-spot-counterfeit-hdd/

Use Nextcloud to create a private cloud at home. Docker @ home also

Nextcloud is a suite of client-server software for creating and using file hosting services.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nextcloud

Among other systems, it can be installed on Raspberry Pi micro-computers.

What Is Nextcloud and How Does It Work?

https://dhabaka.com/what-is-nextcloud-and-how-does-it-work/

"If you use a Nextcloud server and its online office suite, you get a safe and easy way to store, share, and work together on your files. It works with both desktop and mobile devices."

"For first-time installations, Docker containers are invaluable. They streamline setup by bundling dependencies into isolated packets. This supports multi-platform configurations, whether it's on Windows or Linux."

Docker: https://docs.docker.com/get-started/#foundations-of-docker

Setting Up Docker in a Home Lab: 

https://mattadam.com/2025/07/02/setting-up-docker-in-a-home-lab-your-simple-guide-to-getting-started/

"Picture your application working perfectly on your system. However, when you attempt to move it to another platform, it fails. That is where Docker steps in. Docker "wraps" apps with whatever they require to execute—code, libraries, and config—so that they will execute the same everywhere.
It's like placing your app in a neat little box. Where you put that box is where it's going to do just what you want it to do."

How I Run My Entire Homelab on Docker (And Why You Should Too):

https://www.howtogeek.com/how-i-run-my-entire-homelab-on-docker-and-why-you-should-too/

•    "Docker containers are lightweight, self-contained virtual systems for running services in minimal space & resources.
•     Docker simplifies setting up, managing, updating, and uninstalling a variety of services with ease.
•     I run over 30 services in my homelab, which fully operates on Docker, showing just how flexible it is and its ease of use."

Best 5 Home Server Projects to start learning Docker:

https://www.virtualizationhowto.com/2025/01/best-5-home-server-projects-to-start-learning-docker-in-2025/

MS Hyper-V Server Freeware

Hyper-V Server: is a freeware edition of Windows Server with limited functionality and the Hyper-V component:. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-hyper-v-server-2012-r2 -  

2012 Download Link: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?linkid=2196267&clcid=0x409&culture=en-us&country=us

See also: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-hyper-v-server-2016

                https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-hyper-v-server-2019

"Microsoft Hyper-V Server is a dedicated stand-alone product that contains the hypervisor, Windows Server driver model, virtualization capabilities, and supporting components such as failover clustering, but does not contain the robust set of features and roles as the Windows Server operating system. As a result, Microsoft Hyper-V Server produces a small footprint and requires minimal overhead."

How to Install and Configure Free Hyper-V Server 2019 / 2016:

https://woshub.com/install-configure-free-hyper-v-server/

"Hyper-V Server 2019 is suitable for those who don't want to pay for a hardware virtualization operating system. The Hyper-V has no restrictions and is completely free. Key benefits of Microsoft Hyper-V Server:

• Support of all popular OSs. There are no compatibility problems. All Windows and modern Linux and FreeBSD operating systems support Hyper-V;
• A lot of different ways to backup virtual machines: simple scripts, open-source software, free and commercial versions of popular backup programs;
• Although Hyper-V Server doesn't have a Windows Server GUI (graphical management interface), you can manage it remotely using a standard Hyper-V Manager console or Windows Admin Center web interface;
• Hyper-V Server is based on a popular Windows Server platform, familiar and easy to work with;
• You can install Hyper-V on a pseudoRAID, for example, Inter RAID controller, or Windows software RAID;
• You do not need to license your hypervisor, it is suitable for VDI or Linux VMs;
• Low hardware requirements. Your processor must support software virtualization (Intel-VT or VMX by Intel, AMD-V/ SVM by AMD) and second-level address translation (SLAT) (Intel EPT or AMD RV). These processor options must be enabled in BIOS/UEFI/nested host. You can find full system requirements on the Microsoft website;
• It is recommended to install Hyper-V on hosts with at least 4 GB RAM."

You can download the Hyper-V Server 2019 ISO install image here: 
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-hyper-v-server-2019. 

System requirements for Hyper-V on Windows and Windows Server:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/host-hardware-requirements?pivots=windows

Microsoft has officially phased out the free version of Hyper V with Windows Server 2025.

https://www.starwindsoftware.com/blog/windows-server-2025-and-free-hyper-v-dream/

#Virtual Environment, #VM, #Server

Kubuntu - Wikipedia

A version that runs well on smaller systems …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kubuntu

Ubuntu Budgie - Wikipedia

Another flavor to try …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_Budgie

Ubuntu MATE - Wikipedia

A version Windows users may prefer …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_MATE

15 Best Free and Open Source Linux Webcam Tools - LinuxLinks

To view security cameras?
https://www.linuxlinks.com/webcam/