Latesti440fx vs q35 in Proxmox: VM Machine Types Explained
Understand i440fx and q35 in Proxmox, when PCI Express matters, and how to choose the virtual hardware layout for your VM.
Tech DecodeExplaining Tech the Easy Way
Welcome to TechDecode!
Practical, jargon-free guides on building your own self-hosted Homelab, eliminating Wi-Fi dead zones with Mesh Networks, and mastering Raspberry Pi and modern hardware.
Curious about tinkering with technology, learning new IT skills, or running your own mini-server for movies, files, or smart home devices? That's the world of Homelabs! A homelab is essentially your personal tech playground, set up right in your own home—giving you a safe space to experiment, learn by doing, and customize technology to your own needs.
Ever wandered around your home or office only to have the Wi-Fi signal disappear in certain spots? Mesh Networks are a clever solution to this common problem. Instead of relying on a single router, a mesh network uses multiple connected nodes spread throughout an area—creating a wide, reliable Wi-Fi blanket.
Beyond specific setups and network types, the world of General Technology covers the vast array of tools, systems, and innovations we interact with daily. From smartphones and apps to cloud storage and cybersecurity basics—this section is all about demystifying everyday technologies in straightforward terms.
Self-Hosted & DockerStep-by-step homelab guides
Mesh Wi-Fi ShowdownsTP-Link Deco · ASUS · Netgear
Featured Article
Latest Guide
LatestRecent Publications
Our Latest Articles
HomelabNetworks
Build Your Homelab: 46 - Secondary Fallback DNS on a Raspberry Pi
Set up a low-power Raspberry Pi as a secondary Technitium DNS server, link it to your Proxmox primary node with native clustering, sync your local zones, and eliminate single-host DNS outages.
SecurityHomelab
PHP2Shell Explained (CVE-2026-109618 & CVE-2026-109619): Why Every WordPress, Nextcloud, and Homelab Admin Needs to Patch PHP Right Now
Two critical PHP engine vulnerabilities dubbed PHP2Shell (CVE-2026-109618 and CVE-2026-109619) allow unauthenticated remote code execution before your app code even runs. Here is what they mean in plain English and how to patch your servers and Docker containers.
AIHomelab
OpenClaw Explained: Why a Self-Hosted AI Assistant Belongs in Your Homelab (Plus a Quick Proxmox Setup)
Yes, we are late to the OpenClaw party. Here is a plain-English guide to what OpenClaw actually does, why homelabbers are self-hosting it, and how to set it up safely in Proxmox.
HomelabHardware
iGPU and GPU Passthrough in Proxmox Explained
Understand when to share an Intel iGPU with Proxmox containers, when to assign a GPU to a VM, and how to verify video and AI acceleration.
HardwareHomelab
UPS and Graceful Shutdown Explained: Protecting Your Homelab, Proxmox and NAS from Power Cuts
A sudden power cut does not just turn your homelab off. It interrupts open databases, virtual machines, and NAS storage mid-write. Here is how an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and Network UPS Tools (NUT) work in plain English to shut down Proxmox and TrueNAS safely.
NetworksSecurity
SPF, DKIM and DMARC Explained: Set Up and Check Your Email DNS
Learn what SPF, DKIM and DMARC do, check your domain with a free tool, and follow simple steps to improve your email setup.
AISoftware
Google Gemini 4 Argon Is Rolling Out: Paid Access, API Limits and Workflows to Evaluate
Google DeepMind has announced Gemini 4 Argon access in the Gemini app, AI Mode, the API and Antigravity. We review the published limits and suggest workflows to evaluate.
AIHomelab
LocalAI in Your Homelab: Models, Hardware and a Proxmox Install
Run a LocalAI inference service in Proxmox with the Community Scripts installer, then choose a model, secure access and verify requests, resources and recovery.
AISoftware
GPT-6 Astra vs GPT-6.1 Sol: Which Model Should You Use?
Choose between GPT-6 Astra and GPT-6.1 Sol with practical task examples, copyable prompts and a fair workflow for checking quality, effort and cost.
HardwareHomelab
Intel N150 vs Intel N100: Choosing a Mini-PC or Homelab Server
Compare Intel N150 and N100 specifications, memory and expansion limits, power, video acceleration and complete mini-PC choices for a home server.
SecuritySoftware
Passkeys and Account Recovery: A Practical Adoption Guide
Learn how passkeys resist phishing, compare synced and device-bound credentials, and build a practical recovery plan before changing devices.
AIHardware
How Much RAM and VRAM Do You Need for Local AI?
Calculate model weights and KV-cache memory, then plan context, concurrency and CPU or GPU placement using a verified Qwen3 example.
AISoftware
Open WebUI: Give Your Local AI a Proper Chat Interface
Give Ollama or LocalAI a browser interface with persistent chats, controlled accounts, document retrieval and a practical backup and upgrade plan.
NetworksHardware
TP-Link Archer 8 Ultra: Wi-Fi 8, Specs and Upgrade Decisions
Explore the Archer 8 Ultra BN800: Wi-Fi 8 hardware, multigigabit ports, launch features, firmware promises and practical reasons to upgrade or wait.
HomelabSoftware
Proxmox Backup Server: A Practical Homelab Backup and Restore Guide
Set up Proxmox Backup Server for your homelab, protect encryption keys, manage retention, sync off-site and prove recovery with an isolated restore.
Software
Omarchy Linux Explained: A Desktop Built Around the Keyboard
Explore Omarchy 4.0.4: its DHH origins, Arch and Hyprland workflow, installation choices, useful shortcuts, customisation, updates and recovery limits.
AISoftware
Introducing GPT-6 Astra: Reasoning, Tools and Practical Uses
Meet GPT-6 Astra: its launch, reasoning and tool capabilities, practical homelab uses, example prompts, costs and the checks that make its results useful.
NetworksHardware
D-Link Eagle Pro AI: Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Architecture, AI Optimizations and Setup Guide
A comprehensive technical guide to the D-Link Eagle Pro AI Wi-Fi 6 ecosystem: exploring AI Wi-Fi, Mesh, and Traffic Optimizers, dual-band speeds, backhaul performance, and practical home network configuration.