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Latest Posts

24
Mar
A macro shot in a dark server room shows an Ethernet cable plugged into a NIC, featuring a "Digital Fortress" maintenance log overlay with an OPNsense upgrade progress bar at 88% complete.

Upgrading to OPNsense 26.1

The jump to OPNsense 26.1 changes how DHCP and DNS interact. Learn how to navigate Kea migration, fix subnet mask mismatches, and resolve Android Wi-Fi errors.
7 min read
17
Mar
A three-part composite showing an old Dell PC, a modern white cube server, and a professional rack-mounted server with glowing green lights on a wooden desk against a bookshelf.

Best Plex Server Hardware (2026): Budget Builds to Enterprise NAS Guide

Building a Plex server in 2026? Learn how to choose the best hardware for 4K transcoding, from scavenged Intel QuickSync builds to high-end enterprise ZFS rigs.
21 min read
17
Mar
Conceptual network command center. Left display: OPNsense 1.5Gbps throughput and low latency. Right display: AdGuard Home stats and active IDS/IPS shield for threat detection.

Advanced OPNsense Networking: Cloudflare Bypass, DNS/NTP Hijacking & SQM

Learn advanced OPNsense routing techniques including Cloudflare proxy bypass, DNS/NTP interception, and SQM bufferbloat fixes for high-performance homelab networks.
13 min read
08
Mar
Futuristic cyberpunk tower server with side panel removed, revealing a glowing quantum-style CPU core on the motherboard and a bright display reading “Updates Applied.”

Core Lab Q1 Update: Homelab SIEM, CG-NAT Bypassing & Modernization!

Core Lab Q1 update: new homelab SIEM stack, CG-NAT Plex bypass, networking guide overhaul, hardware updates, and upcoming firewall & NAS build guides.
4 min read
03
Mar
Grafana dashboard showing a global threat map of cyberattacks and a top 5 attackers bar gauge parsed from OPNsense firewall and NGINX Docker logs.

Building a Homelab Mini-SIEM with Grafana, Loki, and Promtail

Stop guessing and start visualizing. Turn siloed OPNsense and NGINX logs into a real-time threat map with the lightweight GLP stack. Includes GeoIP and Discord alerts.
13 min read
26
Feb
Cyberpunk illustration of a home Plex server securely tunneling to a cloud VPS, bypassing ISP CG-NAT with an encrypted connection.

How to Access Plex and Jellyfin Behind CGNAT: A 2026 Guide

Stop Plex Relay throttling! Learn how to bypass CG-NAT using a VPS relay with WireGuard or Headscale (Tailscale). Secure, full-bitrate remote access without port forwarding.
19 min read
20
Feb
Screenshot of the Jellywatch website showing their icon/mascot (A cartoonish single eyed purple jellyfish!) & brief introduction.

JellyWatch Review: The Ultimate Jellyfin Admin Dashboard for Android

Always wanted a mobile native app to manage Jellyfin? Discover JellyWatch - an Android app with "Arr" integration, real-time stats, and a killer "Watch Pass" feature.
13 min read
16
Feb
Screenshot of the Seerr dashboard after a successful migration from Overseerr or Jellyseerr, showing the 'Discover' page with movies and TV shows.

Hello Seerr: A Guide to Migrating from Overseerr & Jellyseerr

Switching from Overseerr or Jellyseerr to Seerr? Here is a step-by-step guide to migrating your Docker container, fixing UID 1000 permissions, and keeping your data intact.
6 min read
12
Feb
Cyberpunk-themed hacker graphic with neon high-contrast visuals representing secure, encrypted media streaming and advanced digital privacy techniques.

Updates from Core Lab!

A featured series on protecting your identity as a Canadian, plus lab updates on the Dirty Snow build and the latest threat landscape roundup.
6 min read
12
Feb
Smartphone screen showing an Instagram "Incorrect Password" error, while a background monitor displays a "Login from Moscow, Russia" security alert on a world map.

Part 3: The Domino Effect - What To Do When Your Email & Socials Get Hacked

Locked out of Facebook or Gmail? Don't panic. Follow this NIST-based cyber response guide to kick attackers out, secure your SIN, and reclaim your digital identity.
8 min read