Self-Hosting With Docker & Linux: Run Your Own Services

Replace SaaS tools, take control of your data, and run your own private infrastructure using open source software.

What you'll learn

Deploy and manage self-hosted services using Docker and Portainer on a secure, private infrastructure.

Use Tailscale and TSDProxy to securely access self-hosted services over HTTPS without exposing them to the public internet.

Find, evaluate, and deploy self-hosted alternatives to commercial SaaS products by using self-hosting directories, community recommendations, and Docker images.

Configure custom domains with Caddy and Cloudflare to access your self-hosted services using your own branded URLs with valid SSL certificates.

Requirements

No prior experience with Linux, Docker, or self-hosting is required — you’ll be guided every step of the way. If you can follow clear instructions and copy/paste a few commands, you can take this course.

A basic understanding of how to use a computer and a web browser.

A stable internet connection for downloading software and Docker images.

Description

Take Control of Your Digital Life with Self-Hosted ServicesIn this course, you'll learn how to:Deploy essential self-hosted services quickly and securelyManage and monitor your own private cloud environmentProtect your data with robust security tools and techniquesGain practical experience with Linux, Docker, and TailscaleMaster the Art of Self-Hosting to Gain Ultimate Privacy and ControlIn an era dominated by cloud services and subscriptions, self-hosting offers a powerful alternative: complete control over your data, enhanced privacy, significant cost savings, and the freedom to customize your digital services exactly how you want. Imagine accessing your files, managing tasks, communicating with your team, or streaming media—all from your own secure and private infrastructure.This course guides you step-by-step through building a robust, secure, and scalable self-hosted environment using Docker, Linux, and Tailscale. You'll start by mastering the essentials of Linux and Docker, learning how to install, configure, and manage critical services such as Portainer for container management, Tailscale for secure remote access, and Homepage for centralized dashboards.Whether you want to replace third-party services like Dropbox, Slack, and Trello, or simply learn valuable IT skills, this course provides the tools, techniques, and practical experience you need.You'll finish the course equipped to deploy and manage new self-hosted services with confidence, ensuring your data stays exactly where it belongs—in your hands.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction, Course Overview, and Course Downloads

Lecture 1 Course Overview

Lecture 2 Course Downloads

Section 2: Self-Hosting Fundamentals

Lecture 3 What Self-Hosting Is and Why It Matters

Lecture 4 Benefits of Self-Hosting

Lecture 5 Virtual Private Servers (VPS)

Lecture 6 Gain Valuable Skills Through Self-Hosting

Lecture 7 Challenges of Self-Hosting

Lecture 8 Summary of Self-Hosting

Section 3: Linux Fundamentals for Self-Hosting

Lecture 9 What is Linux and What Are Linux Distributions?

Lecture 10 Why Linux is Ideal for Self-Hosting

Lecture 11 Choosing a Linux Distribution for Self-Hosting

Lecture 12 Bare Metal vs. Virtual Machines: Which Linux Deployment Option Is Right for You?

Lecture 13 Summary of Using Linux for Self-Hosting

Lecture 14 Your Next Step

Section 4: Ubuntu Installation and Setup

Lecture 15 Installing Ubuntu on Windows 11

Lecture 16 Installing Ubuntu on macOS

Lecture 17 Installing Ubuntu on Hardware (Linux Bare Metal Installation)

Section 5: Secure Networking with Tailscale

Lecture 18 Using Tailscale for Secure Networking

Lecture 19 Installing Tailscale on Your Ubuntu Linux Docker Host

Lecture 20 Installing the Tailscale Client on Windows

Lecture 21 Installing the Tailscale Client on macOS

Lecture 22 Installing the Tailscale Client on iOS

Lecture 23 Installing the Tailscale Client on Android

Section 6: Docker and Portainer Setup

Lecture 24 Installing Docker on the Ubuntu Linux Docker Host

Lecture 25 Introduction to Portainer

Lecture 26 Preparing the Directory Structure for Docker Applications

Lecture 27 Docker Compose vs. Docker Run and YAML Configuration Files

Lecture 28 Creating and Understanding the Portainer compose.yaml File

Lecture 29 Deploying Portainer and the Initial Portainer Setup

Lecture 30 Portainer UI Walkthrough (Dashboard and Key Features)

Lecture 31 Portainer Summary

Section 7: Secure Web Service Access with TSDProxy and Tailscale

Lecture 32 Deploying File Browser for File Management

Lecture 33 Introduction to Configuring TSDProxy for Tailnet-Based HTTPS Access

Lecture 34 Tailscale Account Configuration (Renaming your Tailnet and Enabling HTTPS)

Lecture 35 Deploying TSDProxy

Lecture 36 Configuring File Browser for use with TSDProxy

Lecture 37 Configuring Portainer for use with TSDProxy and TSDProxy Summary

Lecture 38 Finding Open Ports on your Docker Host

Section 8: Building a Centralized Dashboard

Lecture 39 Introduction to Setting Up HomePage as a Self-Hosted Dashboard

Lecture 40 Deploying Homepage Using Portainer

Lecture 41 Homepage Overview and Features

Lecture 42 Customizing Homepage

Lecture 43 Homepage Summary

Lecture 44 Installing IT-Tools (How to convert "docker run" to compose.yaml)

Section 9: Publishing Services on Your Own Domain

Lecture 45 Introduction to Accessing Self-Hosted Services Using Your Own Domain with Caddy

Lecture 46 Setting Up a Domain and DNS for Self-Hosted Services with Cloudflare

Lecture 47 Configuring Cloudflare DNS and Deploying Caddy as a Reverse Proxy

Section 10: Discovering & Deploying Additional Self-Hosted Services and Applications

Lecture 48 Intro to Finding, Evaluating, and Deploying Self-Hosted Services and Solutions

Lecture 49 Finding Self-Hosted Solutions (Directories, Search Engines, and Communities)

Lecture 50 How to Evaluate Self-Hosted Applications (Self-Hosted Application Criteria)

Lecture 51 Deploying Self-Hosted Applications using Docker, Docker Compose, or Portainer

Lecture 52 Summary of How to Find, Evaluate, and Deploy Self-Hosted Services and Solutions

Anyone tired of paying for SaaS tools they could replace with open-source alternatives.,Beginners who are curious about self-hosting but don’t know where to start.,People who want to learn practical Docker, Linux, and networking skills through real-world projects.,Developers, IT pros, and tech-savvy hobbyists looking to build a secure, private infrastructure for running apps at home or in the cloud.