VM & VPN Server Build

[Atheeq]

Budget (including currency): Singaporean Dollars $250 - 300

Country: Singapore

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for:  Proxmox Server with One Kali Linux (Powerful) and one TailScale VPN Server

Other details (existing parts lists, whether any peripherals are needed, what you're upgrading from, when you're going to buy, what resolution and refresh rate you want to play at, etc): I own nothing for this build

 

Hello Amazing Folks of the LTT Forum,

I'm planning to build my first Proxmox server and could really use some guidance! My goal is to set this up on a compact ITX-style board with a 10 Gbps network card (mainly for Tailscale VPN—I’m not sure if it’ll fully utilize the speed, but hey, why not aim high?).

Here’s what I’m hoping to achieve for now:

1. VM 1: A Kali Linux box with enough power (solid CPU and memory) to dive into pentesting and learning security tools.
2. VM 2: An LXC container for running Tailscale, ideally leveraging the full 10 Gbps connection. If there’s a better method to achieve this, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

I’d appreciate any recommendations for a good parts list to get started. Since it’s my first build, I want to make sure I’m choosing wisely.

For context, I plan to place this server in my TV console and might add cooling fans at the bottom in the future by drilling some holes for better airflow.

Looking forward to your advice—thanks in advance for helping out this excited newbie!

 

[Atheeq]

Anyone?

[brob]

5 minutes ago, Atheeq said:

Anyone?

 

The budget doesn't strike me as even remotely reasonable for an SFF box with 10 Gbps NIC.

 

[Atheeq]

12 hours ago, brob said:

 

The budget doesn't strike me as even remotely reasonable for an SFF box with 10 Gbps NIC.

 

Even if I go into the used market? Else I’d up it by 100-200 more. Would that allow me to try this build out?