69 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
69 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: "What am I currently working on"
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date: 2025-12-03
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tags: ["blog"]
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draft: false
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---
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# Building a Self-Sustaining Infrastructure: A Two-Server Docker Setup
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## Overview
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Creating a resilient, self-sustaining infrastructure doesn't require complex enterprise solutions. With two strategically configured servers and a well-thought-out backup strategy, you can achieve both reliability and security for your self-hosted applications.
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## The Architecture
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### Docker Host Server
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The primary server runs all application workloads using Docker containers. This containerized approach provides:
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- **Isolation**: Each service runs in its own container with defined resources
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- **Portability**: Services can be easily migrated or replicated
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- **Consistency**: Docker Compose configurations ensure reproducible deployments
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The Docker host maintains minimal external exposure, with only essential ports opened to the internet. This reduces the attack surface while still providing necessary services.
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### Backup Storage Server
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The secondary server serves as a dedicated backup repository with substantial storage capacity. This server is:
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- **Isolated from the internet**: No external access is permitted
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- **Secured via iptables**: Firewall rules prevent unauthorized connections
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- **Connected via WireGuard VPN**: Encrypted tunnel ensures secure communication between servers
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## Security Through Network Segmentation
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The WireGuard VPN creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between the Docker host and backup server. This architecture provides several benefits:
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- Private communication channel for backup operations
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- Zero trust model for the backup server (completely isolated from public internet)
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- Reduced risk of data exfiltration
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- Encrypted data transfer between servers
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## Automated Backup Strategy
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Daily automated backups capture the critical components:
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### Database Backups
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All databases are exported and stored, ensuring data consistency and point-in-time recovery capabilities.
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### Docker Volume Backups
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Persistent data from Docker volumes is systematically backed up, including:
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- Application configuration files
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- User-generated content
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- Service-specific data stores
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This comprehensive approach ensures that the entire infrastructure can be restored from backups, making the system truly self-sustaining.
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## Benefits of This Approach
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**Resilience**: Hardware failure on the Docker host doesn't result in data loss
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**Security**: Multi-layered security with network segmentation and minimal exposure
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**Maintainability**: Containerized services are easy to update and manage
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**Scalability**: Additional Docker hosts can connect to the same backup server
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**Cost-effective**: Self-hosted solution with predictable costs
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## Conclusion
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This two-server architecture strikes an excellent balance between simplicity and robustness. By combining Docker containerization with a dedicated, secured backup server connected via WireGuard, you achieve enterprise-grade reliability without enterprise-level complexity. Daily automated backups provide peace of mind, while the security-first network design protects your data from external threats.
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---
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*This setup demonstrates that effective infrastructure doesn't require massive cloud budgets—just thoughtful design and consistent execution.*
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