Homelab Use Cases
openZro helps homelabbers securely access their home infrastructure from anywhere and connect multiple home networks together.
Common Scenarios
- Remote NAS Access: Access your Synology, QNAP, or TrueNAS from anywhere
- Home Automation: Reach Home Assistant, smart home devices, and IoT systems remotely
- Media Servers: Stream from Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby while traveling
- Family Network Sharing: Connect your home network with family members' networks
- Self-hosted Services: Access Pi-hole, Nextcloud, and other self-hosted applications
Getting Started
For connecting entire home networks (accessing devices that don't have openZro installed), see the Site-to-Site Connectivity Guide.
Guides
openZro on MikroTik Router
Run openZro directly on your MikroTik router for whole-network connectivity
Access Home Devices
Set up VPN-to-Site access to reach home network devices from anywhere
Connect Home Networks
Link multiple home networks together using Site-to-Site routing
Recommended Setup
For most homelabbers, we recommend:
- Install openZro on your devices - Laptop, phone, and any servers you access directly
- Set up a routing peer - Use a Raspberry Pi, NAS with Docker, or dedicated device
- Configure network access - Use Networks (simpler) or Network Routes (more flexible)
| Scenario | Recommended Feature |
|---|---|
| Access home devices from laptop/phone | Networks |
| Connect two home networks | Network Routes |
| Run openZro on router | MikroTik Guide |