My Private Mini Kubernetes Cluster - Powered by Tailscale

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/kuberne...

Mini Rack Giveaway details in the Tailscale Discord
  / discord  

Video Notes: https://technotim.live/posts/tailscal...

Product Links
Rackmate T0 4U Mini Rack https://amzn.to/4otCHO5
UniFi Cloud Gateways https://store.ui.com/us/en/category/a...
Beelink Mini S13 Pro https://amzn.to/43OLVfu
Slim Ethernet Cables https://amzn.to/43jsv2l
Acrylic Panels https://amzn.to/43hxccR

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Sponsor me on GitHub: https://github.com/sponsors/timothyst...
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(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!