jamielab@console :: /_projects/vaultwarden-byopm.md
online 2026-02-03 05:32
VaultWarden BYOPM

Status: Building
Tags: docker, vaultwarden, security, self-hosted

Overview

Self-hosted password manager built on VaultWarden (Bitwarden-compatible server), running in Docker with Unbound DNS for secure recursive lookups and automated backup systems. Moving password management in-house to maintain full control over credentials while keeping the convenience of modern password management tools.

VaultWarden BYOPM architecture schematic
System architecture diagram

Architecture

Core Services

  • VaultWarden: Open-source Bitwarden server implementation
  • Unbound DNS: Recursive DNS resolver for privacy
  • Gitea Runner: Lightweight CI/CD for automated tasks
  • Backup System: Automated SQLite backups with retention policy

Network Design

  • Isolated on services VLAN with restricted firewall rules
  • Reverse proxy with HTTPS/TLS termination
  • Tailscale integration for secure remote access
  • Rate limiting and fail2ban protection

Setup

Prerequisites

Installation Steps

For the sanitized Docker Compose template and detailed configuration, see:
VaultWarden Compose Template

Security Hardening

Features & Functionality

Password Management

Backup & Recovery

Monitoring

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge: Secure Remote Access

Challenge: Backup Integrity

Lessons Learned

Next Steps

  • Implement automated backup testing
  • Set up Grafana dashboard for service metrics
  • Document disaster recovery runbook
  • Add hardware 2FA support (YubiKey)
  • Configure email notifications for backup failures

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