Pacey Conning
Linux Systems Enthusiast
Self-taught technologist with 8+ years of Linux experience. Running a multi-server home lab, experimenting with local AI/LLMs, and building practical tools for real-world problems.
About Me
Who Am I
I'm a self-taught technologist with over 8 years of Linux experience as a passionate hobbyist. I run a multi-server home lab hosting everything from AdGuard and Jellyfin to a local llama.cpp inference server for AI experimentation.
My approach is hands-on and practical—I learn by building and breaking things. Whether it's configuring an Arch install, managing a Proxmox Virtual Environment, or writing Python tools to manage local LLMs, I enjoy solving real problems with the right technology.
These days, I leverage AI tools like OpenCode to accelerate my development workflow while maintaining a strong foundation in systems administration and infrastructure.
Tech Stack
Home Lab Infrastructure
Multi-server environment hosting containerized services, local AI inference, and self-hosted applications
Hardware Setup
Dell Precision T7810
Primary Server
Xeon workstation, DDR4-2400, Dual RTX GPUs
Mini PC
Network & Media
Low-power x86, 2.5GbE networking
NAS
Storage Server
Multi-bay storage, RAID configuration
2.5GbE Network
Infrastructure
5-port gigabit switch, high-speed links
Running Services
llama.cpp Server
AI/LLMLocal AI inference server running 15+ optimized GGUF models for privacy-first machine learning
AdGuard Home
NetworkNetwork-wide ad blocking and DNS management for enhanced privacy and performance
Jellyfin
MediaSelf-hosted media streaming server for movies, TV shows, and music
n8n
AutomationWorkflow automation platform for integrating services and automating tasks
OpenWebUI
AI/LLMWeb interface for interacting with local LLM models via llama.cpp
Immich
MediaSelf-hosted photo and video management platform with automatic backups
Nginx Proxy Manager
InfrastructureReverse proxy with SSL termination for secure service access
Open Media Vault
StorageNAS management with centralized storage and qBittorrent integration
Why Self-Host?
Privacy, control, and learning. By running services locally, I maintain complete ownership of my data, reduce dependence on cloud providers, and gain hands-on experience with production-grade infrastructure. Every service teaches something new about systems administration, networking, or application deployment.
Learning Journey
A self-directed path through Linux, infrastructure, and emerging technologies
Linux Journey Begins
Started exploring Linux as a hobby, learning command line basics and system administration fundamentals.
Linux Journey Begins
Started exploring Linux as a hobby, learning command line basics and system administration fundamentals.
First Home Lab Setup
Built initial home server infrastructure, experimenting with self-hosted services and network configuration.
First Home Lab Setup
Built initial home server infrastructure, experimenting with self-hosted services and network configuration.
Multi-Server Expansion
Expanded to multi-server environment with containerization (LXC/Docker), running AdGuard, Jellyfin, and more.
Multi-Server Expansion
Expanded to multi-server environment with containerization (LXC/Docker), running AdGuard, Jellyfin, and more.
Local AI/LLM Deep Dive
Deployed llama.cpp inference server, built model management tooling, and integrated AI into daily workflows with OpenCode.
Local AI/LLM Deep Dive
Deployed llama.cpp inference server, built model management tooling, and integrated AI into daily workflows with OpenCode.
Web Development & Portfolio
Learned React, Next.js, and TypeScript to build modern web applications. Created this portfolio and CycleSync PWA.
Web Development & Portfolio
Learned React, Next.js, and TypeScript to build modern web applications. Created this portfolio and CycleSync PWA.
What's Next?
Seeking opportunities to transition hobby expertise into professional roles in systems administration, infrastructure engineering, or DevOps. Continuing to expand knowledge in Kubernetes, infrastructure as code, and advanced networking while contributing to open-source projects.
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