Some days in the homelab are quiet — a config tweak here, a firmware update there. And then there are days like today. April 29, 2026, turned into a full-blown infrastructure marathon: eight distinct projects spanning networking, virtualization, AI deployment, storage management, and documentation. Here is a complete rundown of everything that got done.
1. GitHub Documentation — 565 Lines of Technical Writing
Documentation is the backbone of any serious homelab. Today I pushed 565 lines of new documentation across multiple GitHub repositories. This included updated READMEs, configuration guides, topology diagrams, and step-by-step walkthroughs. Every project in my lab now has proper technical documentation that anyone can follow to replicate the setup. If it is not documented, it did not happen — and today, it all got documented.
2. EVE-NG CCNA Lab Updates — 29 Nodes
My EVE-NG CCNA lab got a major overhaul. The lab now contains 29 active nodes, covering routing, switching, and network services. This includes Cisco IOS routers and switches configured for OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, VLANs, STP, ACLs, NAT, and DHCP. The lab features API troubleshooting support, Proxmox migration readiness via Terraform and Ansible, and qcow2 image management. Whether you are studying for the CCNA or just want a robust network simulation environment, this lab has you covered.
3. Blog Post Publishing — 2,943 Words
Earlier this month, I published a comprehensive 2,943-word blog post on the Network ThinkTank blog covering how to self-host AI on a Proxmox homelab with Ollama and Open WebUI. Today’s writing adds to that momentum. Consistent publishing is key to building a knowledge base that helps both myself and the broader homelab community.
4. Ollama Models Deployment — 4 Models
Local AI is the future of privacy-conscious computing. Today I deployed four Ollama models on my Proxmox homelab, running inference entirely on local hardware. The models are served through Open WebUI, giving me a polished ChatGPT-like interface without any data leaving my network. No API keys, no cloud dependency, no privacy concerns — just pure local LLM power. The models cover different use cases from general conversation to code generation and technical assistance.
5. OpenClaw AI Agent Deployment
OpenClaw, an AI agent framework, was deployed and configured in the homelab today. This adds autonomous AI agent capabilities to the infrastructure, enabling task automation and intelligent workflows. The deployment involved setting up the agent runtime, configuring API endpoints, and testing basic agent interactions. This is a step toward building a more intelligent, self-managing homelab environment.
6. Windows Server VM Build
A fresh Windows Server virtual machine was built from scratch today. This VM will serve as a core infrastructure component for Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and Group Policy management. The build process included creating the VM in the hypervisor, installing the OS, applying initial configurations, and setting up remote management. Having a Windows Server in the lab opens up enterprise-grade identity and access management capabilities.
7. NAS Storage Cleanup — ~20GB Freed
Storage hygiene is critical in any homelab environment. Today’s cleanup operation freed approximately 20GB of space on the NAS. This involved removing outdated VM snapshots, clearing old ISO images, purging stale Docker volumes, and archiving completed project files. A clean NAS is a happy NAS — and with 20GB reclaimed, there is plenty of room for new projects.
8. UniFi Network Server Installation
The UniFi Network Server was installed and configured today, bringing enterprise-grade network management to the homelab. This provides centralized control over UniFi access points, switches, and security gateways. The installation included setting up the controller software, adopting network devices, configuring wireless networks, and establishing monitoring dashboards. With UniFi in place, the entire network infrastructure can be managed from a single pane of glass.
Wrapping Up
Eight projects. One day. From AI deployments to network labs, from storage cleanup to documentation — today was a masterclass in homelab productivity. Every one of these projects builds on the others, creating a more capable, better-documented, and more resilient infrastructure.
The key takeaway? Documentation makes everything better. By writing things down — both in GitHub repos and blog posts — I am building a knowledge base that pays dividends every time I need to troubleshoot, replicate, or expand my setup.
If you are running a homelab, I encourage you to document your work, share your configs, and keep building. The community is stronger when we share what we learn.
Until next time — keep labbing.
Follow the Network ThinkTank blog for more homelab guides, networking tutorials, and infrastructure deep-dives. Check out the companion GitHub repositories at github.com/jczaldivar71 for configs, scripts, and technical documentation.