My Private Mini Kubernetes Cluster - Powered by Tailscale

Description

A full Kubernetes cluster you can take anywhere - securely. I built a portable Kubernetes cluster that runs over 5G, powered by Tailscale - no traditional VPNs, no open ports, no public exposure. This mini homelab rack runs Kubernetes and the Tailscale Kubernetes Operator, making it easy to self-host apps, expose private services, and connect clusters together with GitOps and zero-trust networking. And yes — Tailscale is giving away the exact mini rack from this project. Find all the giveaway details in the Tailscale Discord. Thank you for Tailscale for sponsoring this video. https://tailscale.com/ Use coupon code “YouTube25” for 2 months free on any Tailscale plan. Tailscale Operator for Kubernetes https://tailscale.com/kb/1236/kubernetes-operator Mini Rack Giveaway details in the Tailscale Discord http://discord.gg/tailscale Video Notes: https://technotim.live/posts/tailscale-kubernetes-operator/ Product Links - Rackmate T0 4U Mini Rack https://amzn.to/4otCHO5 - UniFi Cloud Gateways https://store.ui.com/us/en/category/all-cloud-gateways?a_aid=TechnoTim - Beelink Mini S13 Pro https://amzn.to/43OLVfu - Slim Ethernet Cables https://amzn.to/43jsv2l - Acrylic Panels https://amzn.to/43hxccR Merch Shop 🛍️: https://l.technotim.live/shop Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/technotim Sponsor me on GitHub: https://github.com/sponsors/timothystewart6 Subscribe on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/technotim Become a YouTube member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOk-gHyjcWZNj3Br4oxwh0A/join Gear Recommendations: https://l.technotim.live/gear Get Help in Our Discord Community: https://l.technotim.live/discord 2nd channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TechnoTimTinkers (Affiliate links may be included in this description. I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.) 00:00 - Building a Private Kubernetes Cluster 00:46 - Tailscale Sponsors This Project 01:29 - Building the Mini Rack 02:19 - Dark Mode Mini Rack 02:59 - Network Configuration and VLAN Setup 03:27 - Configuring Mini PCs 04:16 - Installing Kubernetes (RKE2) 04:47 - Power Usage and Efficiency Check 05:06 - Using Tailscale Subnet Routing on my PiKVM 05:34 - Don't install Tailscale on machines (lesson learned) 05:54 - Boostrapping the cluster 06:13 - Managing Cluster State with Flux (GitOps) 06:37 - Installing the Tailscale Kubernetes Operator 07:52 - Accessing the Cluster via Tailscale 09:03 - Deploying DrawIO Privately 09:48 - Cross-Cluster Monitoring with Grafana and Prometheus 10:50 - Metrics Flowing Between Clusters 11:11 - Lessons Learned with Tailscale + Kubernetes 11:30 - The Mini Rack Giveaway 11:47 - Thanks to Tailscale - and Thanks for Watching Thank you for watching!