No Server No NAS No Problem! Build Your Cloud Career With a Budget Homelab running Proxmox

In today’s video, I’ll show you how I built a homelab with a secondhand PC under $100.
It has 64GB of RAM and runs Proxmox for virtualization.
You don’t need a server or NAS to get started.
I’ll also share Udemy courses that helped me learn. \ And how I use GitHub to build a project portfolio.
If you’re aiming for a cloud career, this is a great place to start.

1. Intro – Why I Built a Homelab

  • I’ll show you how I built my homelab using a secondhand PC.
  • This setup is focused on hands-on experience, not expensive gear.
  • There’s huge demand for Cloud Engineers and DevOps professionals.
  • A homelab is one of the best ways to gain real-world experience from home.

2. My Homelab Setup: Simple but Powerful

My Homelab PC

  • I use a secondhand Dell Optiplex 9020 PC with 64GB of RAM and an Intel i7 CPU.
  • Proxmox runs on a dedicated 512 GB SSD drive.
  • Two 2TB hard drives provide storage for VMs, containers, and backups.
  • I prioritized RAM over buying a full server or NAS—memory is key for running multiple services.

3. Why I Use Proxmox

Proxmox Image

  • Proxmox is free, open-source, and perfect for homelabs.
  • It supports both virtual machines and LXC containers.
  • It has a great web UI and is lightweight on resources.
  • It lets me easily manage different environments for testing and learning.

4. How This Homelab Helps Me Learn Cloud & DevOps

Cloud Skills

  • I run Docker containers, Kubernetes clusters, and Linux VMs on this setup.
  • It allows me to practice real-world skills like:
    • Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
    • Automation and CI/CD pipelines
    • Linux system administration
    • Networking and storage
  • I use it to replicate cloud environments on a local scale.

5. Udemy Courses I Recommend

  • I’ve used Udemy to build foundational knowledge.
  • Some of the most useful courses I took covered:
    • Docker & Containers
    • Kubernetes for Beginners
    • Terraform and Infrastructure as Code
    • Linux Essentials
  • I applied what I learned directly in my homelab for hands-on practice.

6. My GitHub Portfolio – Showing What I’ve Built

My GitHub Repositories

My YouTube Channel

  • I upload my homelab projects to GitHub as part of my portfolio.
  • These include:
    • Docker Compose setups
    • Kubernetes manifests and Helm charts
    • Automation scripts and CLI tools
  • A public GitHub portfolio is great for showing future employers what you can do.

7. Final Thoughts – Your Career Starts at Home

  • You don’t need a datacenter to start learning cloud tech.
  • A budget PC and a bit of RAM is enough to simulate real environments.
  • Your homelab can become your playground—and your resume.
  • Start small, document your work, and share your journey.

5 Apps to selfhows in your Homelab plus 35 more

Usefull apps