Why I Chose Sophos Firewall for My Homelab – My Step Towards a More Secure Network
My Homelab Continues to Grow
When I started rebuilding my homelab during my recovery, I did not begin with a big plan or a complete technical environment.
I simply started by rediscovering the enjoyment of technology.
Working with computers, systems and new technologies gave me structure again. Every step I took gave me a sense of progress.
The foundation was an old Dell R415 server that was given a second life. With Proxmox, I could run different systems alongside one another and rediscover the many possibilities offered by existing hardware.
But as my homelab continued to grow, I reached a new point.
The servers were there. The virtual systems were running.
But how could I make sure everything remained secure, clear and well organised?
From Separate Systems to a Network
A homelab is not just about servers and software.
The way systems are connected to one another is just as important.
At first, things are simple. You connect systems and make sure everything works.
But as your environment grows, new questions arise:
- Which systems are allowed to communicate with one another?
- How do I keep my website environment separate from my internal systems?
- How do I maintain an overview when I add new projects?
That is when network security becomes important.
Why Use a Firewall?
A firewall gives you control over traffic entering and leaving your network.
You decide which connections are allowed and which are not.
For me, however, a firewall is not just about security.
It is also about understanding.
I want to know how a network is built, why certain choices are made and how I can manage my own environment more effectively.
That learning and discovery are important parts of my homelab.
Why Sophos Firewall?
While looking for a suitable solution, I came across Sophos Firewall.
My choice of Sophos was not based solely on the product’s capabilities, but mainly on how well it fits the way I want to build my homelab.
I want an environment that is:
- Well organised.
- Secure.
- A place where I can learn.
- Able to grow alongside new projects.
Sophos helps me bring more structure to my network and gives me the opportunity to gain more insight and control, step by step.
The Next Step: Network Segmentation
An important part of my plans is network segmentation.
When you use multiple systems, you do not want everything to automatically have access to everything else.
That is why I want to continue building my network with separate areas, such as:
- My server environment.
- My website environment.
- System management.
- Test environments.
- Internal devices.
By separating these areas more effectively, my environment becomes clearer and more secure.
Learning by Building
Just like the rest of my homelab, I am building my network step by step.
I do not need to get everything perfect straight away.
I learn the most by building, testing, encountering mistakes and looking for solutions.
I recognise that process in my recovery, too.
Some steps happen quickly, while others take more time.
But every step forward means growth.
My Homelab Continues to Grow
A homelab is never really finished.
There are always new technologies to discover, new challenges to solve and new ideas to develop.
That is why Sophos Firewall is more than just a security solution for me.
It is another step in my technical journey.
A step that helps me make my environment more secure while continuing to develop myself and gain new knowledge.
For me, building is not just about hardware and software.
It is about staying curious, continuing to learn and moving forward in a way that suits me.
My recovery.
My technology.
This website.
My future.
My life changed because of a stroke, but my curiosity and passion for technology have remained.