Hello,
I would like to start working with home automation/ smart home. I have not yet worked with smart home.
I would like to do without all products that have a cloud connection or must be connected to the Internet. I would like to have all network components in a separate subnet that would only be accessible via a secure VPN connection.
Do you think this is possible?
Do you have any product recommendations software/hardware?
or any tips or sources where I can learn more about this topic?
I think homeassistant is what you want to use. Check out their website. They have several ways to deploy depending upon your technical abilities.