Day 1 Goal: Bring the Blueprint to Life
Transform a single computing device into a live website on the internet. This POC proves the value of starting with a manageable foundation before scaling to multi-node Kubernetes clusters.
The Three-Step Journey
1
Choose Your "Star"
Select your hardware and verify it meets the requirements. One machine becomes the foundation for your entire home data center journey.
2
OS & WordPress
Install Ubuntu Desktop and deploy a WordPress site using Docker Compose. See tangible results quickly with a containerized application.
3
Go Live
Get a domain, configure Cloudflare, and expose your site to the internet. Transform localhost into a public website.
Hardware Specifications
Test POC Setup
4-core CPU
16GB RAM
256GB SSD
Perfect for learning and future cluster node
Long-term Single Server
8-core CPU
32GB RAM
500GB SSD
Plenty of headroom for growth
Hardware Options
Old laptop, desktop, mini PC, or capable single-board computer. Repurpose existing hardware for cost efficiency.
Technology Components
Operating System
Ubuntu Desktop with GUI for easier initial setup
Containerization
Docker & Docker Compose for application deployment
Application
WordPress for quick, tangible results
Domain & DNS
Custom domain name for professional branding
Security & CDN
Cloudflare for SSL, WAF, and tunneling
Network Requirements
100+ Mbps upload speed for self-hosting
From Hardware to Live Website
Single Computing Device
↓
Ubuntu Desktop Installation
↓
Docker & Docker Compose Setup
↓
WordPress Container Deployment
↓
Domain Registration & Cloudflare Configuration
↓
Live Website on the Internet
POC Success Achievements
🖥️
Functional Server
Stable Ubuntu Desktop OS running
📦
Containerized App
WordPress deployed via Docker
🌐
Live Website
Accessible via custom domain
🔒
Secure Foundation
SSL certificate via Cloudflare
⚠️ Internet Speed Reality Check
Before going live, verify your upload speed via Ethernet. 100+ Mbps is recommended for self-hosting.
Lower speeds may require cloud solutions, which have monthly costs.
Immediate Next Steps
Configure Application
Complete WordPress setup, choose themes, and build your actual site content
Master Docker
Study your Docker Compose file and understand containerization fundamentals
Plan Backups
Implement backup strategy if running long-term, or prepare for K8s migration
🚀 Coming Next: Day 2 - The Kubernetes Detour
Learn why I skipped the single-node approach and went straight to a multi-node Kubernetes cluster
for the Skill-Wanderer platform. Discover the decision process and journey ahead.
💡 The Beauty of Agile Development
What you build today can always be scaled up later. This POC is your foundation -
start small, learn fundamentals, gain momentum, then evolve your architecture as needs grow.
