Discover the Latest Tech in My Home Lab - 2023 Hardware Edition
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Networking
- Dual Wi-Fi Setup
- UniFi Dream Machine Pro
- UniFi Enterprise 24 Poe Switch
- UniFi Enterprise 8 Port Poe Switch
- UniFi xg4 Switch
- Wi-Fi
- In-wall AC Access Points
- U6 Pro Access Point
- U6 Long Range Access Point
- Servers
- Main Server
- Proxmox Cluster
- 45 Drives hl1-15 Storage Server
- Synology RS822 Plus Backup Server
- Synology DS923 Plus Remote Server
- Additional Machines
- Streaming Mini PC
- Main PC
- Super Tiny PC and Terramaster Das
- Zema Board Cluster
- The Rack and Accessories
- Naveo Open Rack
- Mini Split Unit
- Industrial Insulated Curtains
- Triplite 8 Port KVM
- Triplite Smart LCD 1500 UPS
- Emporia Power Monitoring
- Conclusion
What's in My Home Lab: A Tour of My Hardware
Introduction
Last year, I did a tour of my entire home lab, but within this last year, a good bit has changed. So, let's do this all over again. This time, I'm going to separate the tour into two videos: hardware and software. In this video, we'll be taking a look at the hardware in my home lab, which I have broken down into three categories: networking, servers, and miscellaneous.
Networking
I have made significant changes to the networking setup in my home lab. I now have a dual Wi-Fi setup, with my primary connection being AT&T 1 gig fiber and my backup connection being Xfinity cable. Both connections feed into my gateway, which is the UniFi Dream Machine Pro. This switch replaces my previous PF Sense box and offers a more Cohesive ecosystem with my other UniFi devices. However, I do miss some functionalities of the PF sense firewall rules and built-in reverse proxy.
Connected directly to my UniFi Dream Machine Pro is my main switch, the UniFi Enterprise 24 Poe. This switch has 12 1 gig ports, 12 2.5 gig ports, and 2 10 gig SFP+ ports. It is the perfect switch for a home lab, providing a good balance of ports, PoE power, and high-speed connectivity.
To extend the reach of my network, I have set up a fiber connection from my rack to one of my bedroom closets using a UniFi Enterprise 8 Port Poe switch. This switch is ideal for this purpose as it has 2.5 gig ports and PoE capability to power the access points in each room.
My networking setup also includes a TPLink Omada short stack setup, which I use for testing Omada releases and as a separate test LAN.
Wi-Fi
In terms of Wi-Fi, I have a total of five access points in my house. Three of them are in-wall AC access points connected to the UniFi Enterprise 8 Port switch in the closet. These access points cover the entire first floor of my house and can also daisy-chain a PoE connection via one of the four ports on the bottom.
For the upstairs area, I have a U6 Pro access point, which is a 4x4 Wi-Fi 6 device. It provides a solid Wi-Fi connection, even reaching speeds of up to 800 megabits per Second.
Lastly, I have an access point outside on the patio, which is a U6 Long Range device. While I don't necessarily need the long-range capability, it adds to the aesthetic of my setup.
Servers
My main server is powered by an AMD EPYC 7302 processor with 16 cores, 256GB of DDR4 ECC RAM, and 12 12TB drives. It runs Proxmox and handles the heavy lifting for my home lab. I also have a highly available Proxmox cluster consisting of three Supermicro X10 SDV 4C TLN 2F servers. Each server has a four-core, eight-thread Xeon processor and dual 10 gig networking, making them ideal for basic services and Docker.
The newest addition to my home lab is the HL1-15 storage server from 45 Drives. This 4U system features 15 friction mount bays for storage and is designed for home labbers who value build quality and aesthetics. I will cover this server in more Detail in a separate video.
I also have a Synology RS822 Plus backup server and a Synology DS923 Plus remote server for easy remote backups.
Additional Machines
In addition to the main servers, I have a few other machines in my home lab. A streaming mini PC connected to a Tiny Pilot KVM allows me to use it from anywhere. My main PC is also located in the rack, keeping cables clean and Hidden.
I have set up a unique system using a super tiny PC connected via USB to a Terramaster Das for testing purposes. This setup has proven to be stable and works well for my needs.
Lastly, I have a Zema Board cluster that acts more as an enhancement to the aesthetic of my office, as it does not serve any specific purpose.
The Rack and Accessories
All of my equipment resides in a 42U open rack from Naveo, which offers good quality and easy mobility with casters. To regulate the temperature in my garage, where the rack is located, I installed a mini-split unit, providing efficient cooling.
For soundproofing and insulation, I replaced the cheap Amazon curtains with industrial insulated curtains from Acon. These curtains have been effective in maintaining stable temperatures in the rack room.
To manage multiple devices efficiently, I use a Triplite 8 Port KVM with a 15-inch screen, which doubles as a sturdy shelf when not in use. I also have Triplite Smart LCD 1500 UPS units for backup power and protection against power flickers.
Monitoring power consumption is made possible by an Emporia Power Monitoring device, which provides real-time power outputs and enables me to keep track of energy usage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my home lab setup may not be optimal, but it works perfectly for my needs. I have a well-structured networking setup, powerful servers, and efficient cooling and power management systems. While there is always room for improvement, I'm satisfied with the Current state of my home lab. Let me know your thoughts and suggestions in the comments!
Highlights
- Dual Wi-Fi setup with AT&T 1 gig fiber and Xfinity cable as primary and backup connections.
- UniFi Dream Machine Pro gateway for a cohesive networking ecosystem.
- UniFi Enterprise 24 Poe switch with a good balance of ports, power, and high-speed connectivity.
- Fiber connection to UniFi Enterprise 8 Port Poe switch for extended reach.
- In-wall AC access points for comprehensive coverage on the first floor.
- U6 Pro and U6 Long Range access points for upstairs and outdoor areas respectively.
- Powerful main server with AMD EPYC processor and Proxmox for heavy lifting.
- Proxmox cluster with Supermicro servers for basic services and Docker.
- HL1-15 storage server from 45 Drives for reliable storage with impressive build quality.
- Synology RS822 Plus backup server and DS923 Plus remote server for easy remote backups.
- Additional machines include a streaming mini PC, main PC, and unique setups like Zema Board cluster.
- Naveo open rack with mini-split unit for cooling and industrial insulated curtains for soundproofing and insulation.
- Triplite 8 Port KVM, Triplite Smart LCD 1500 UPS, and Emporia Power Monitoring for efficient management.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the dual Wi-Fi setup in the home lab?
A: The dual Wi-Fi setup provides a primary and backup connection for uninterrupted internet access in the home lab.
Q: Which UniFi switch is recommended for a home lab?
A: The UniFi Enterprise 24 Poe switch is ideal for most home lab setups as it offers a good balance of ports, power, and high-speed connectivity.
Q: What are the benefits of in-wall AC access points?
A: In-wall AC access points provide comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage on the first floor while also offering PoE power and the ability to daisy-chain connections.
Q: What is the AdVantage of the Proxmox cluster?
A: The Proxmox cluster provides high availability and allows for the distribution of workload across multiple servers, ensuring better performance and reliability.
Q: How does the HL1-15 storage server from 45 Drives enhance the home lab setup?
A: The HL1-15 storage server offers superior build quality and aesthetics, coupled with a large number of storage bays, making it an excellent choice for storage-intensive applications.
Q: What are the benefits of industrial insulated curtains in the rack room?
A: The industrial insulated curtains help regulate temperature by maintaining stable conditions in the rack room, ensuring the optimal performance of the equipment.
Q: How does the Triplite 8 Port KVM simplify device management?
A: The Triplite 8 Port KVM allows for efficient control of multiple devices from a single screen, providing convenience and organization in the home lab.
Q: Why is power monitoring important in a home lab setup?
A: Power monitoring enables users to monitor energy consumption accurately, helping to optimize power usage, reduce costs, and ensure reliable performance of the home lab equipment.