For awhile I’ve liked the idea of using a VPS for “critical” services. Currently looking at running:
- Authentik
- Komodo (with periphery agents on local boxes)
- Uptime Kuma
- NTFY
- Panglolin (or Cosmos Cloud?)
So, first of all, to folks already using a VPS, do you think it’s worth it? Do you think I’m missing anything? Happy to discuss/research alternatives, too. I’ve thought about TinyAyuth+PocketID in place of Authentik. While I think Authentik is probably more complex (and likely overkill), it’s a single solution. That said, I haven’t played with TinyAuth/PockedID.
Second, I was pretty interested in Pangolin until I saw Cosmos Cloud mentioned elsewhere. It seems like it actually ticks a lot of boxes:
- Built-in authentication
- Reverse Proxy
- VPN (At least for local-to-VPS connection, but possibly also for external clients?)
- Docker management(?): They have an “app store” that’s all docker images, so there’s some docker capability built-in. Not sure yet if it can handle multiple hosts like Komodo.
- DNS (I would still keep at least 1 local pi-hole instance)
Looking at the doc for chaining proxies and hiding IP, here, it mentions creating an A record for services hosted on a different server. I’m curious to know if this means Cosmos will only manage DNS for services hosted on the same box. Honestly this seems kind of odd, unless I’m misunderstanding how proxy servers work.
Anyway, I know this was a bit of a meandering post. Curious to know thoughts on my original plan, but also if anyone has played with Cosmos, I’d like to hear your thoughts.
Lastly: This morning, I found this interesting write-up to manage container updates using Forgejo, Renovate, and Komodo. Another rabbit hole to explore!
EDITS:
- Spelling
I remember the first Linux server I stood up on a VPS. It got thoroughly hacked almost immedietly. Not only did they hack the server, they set up attack vectors on other servers…aaaand a bitcoin miner. Got up that morning, checked mail, and there was a nastygram from my host wanting to know WTF over. Since then, I did a ton of reading, took a couple basic online courses for my own edification. I now tend to go overboard on security now days if that is possible. I’ve been told my set up is way over engineered. However, it’s been ticking along these many, many years now without issue. Also, since I am the only user of my network, it’s a little easier to lock down. Users create complexities and complexities cause issues.
I’m sure you have done the leg work in bolstering your knowledge base in setting up your first VPS server, but as others have said, beware. It reminds me of the movie Constantine, where just beyond light, in the shadows, lurk thousands and thousands of demons. They are sophisticated bots too, and are quite autonomous.
In my reading, tho I don’t run it, VoidAuth is supposed to be lighter than Authentik. Do you have a directive or purpose sketched out for your server? What you want to accomplish, etc?
Tailscale is my choice for my VPN overlay on the server. I also use the evil Cloudflare Tunnel/Zero Trust. All devices also run their own VPN.
I have played around with Cosmos. Pretty neat little package, especially for someone just starting out. I can’t speak to it’s performance, but I read glowing reviews. YunoHost would be in that category as well, with a very large app catalog.
Looks like you are heading in the right direction.
reminds me of my first mail server, accidentally set up an open relay and got a lot of abuse reports from mail providers saying they blocked my server due to it. Took forever to get fixed again.
I mean, there can be some serious consequences, especially if your server starts attacking other servers. They don’t take that shit lightly.
oh for sure, it made sense that they wanted to make sure was fixed. Just was super alarming the speed it was advertised that the relay was there!