So you want to build a homelab, but where do you even start?
You should think about the purpose for which you are purchasing a homelab. Hardware requirements will depend on your needs.
Most people who start with a homelab, want for example space for storing various media, or a way to view them on home devices. Others because they want to test new things for work. Or they want to start working in IT and need a place to learn it all.
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Let’s talk about a few examples of features that Servers have advantages over ordinary PCs: Link to heading
- Servers have built-in low-level remote management tools ( IPMI, BMC, iLO, iDRAC )
- ECC Memory ( Memory with the ability to detect and correct errors in real time, which minimizes the risk of system crashes. )
- Memory capacity over 128GB
- Redundant components ( power supplies, fans, hard drives, memory DIMMs)
- Hot-swap components (power supplies, fans)
- Higher number of PCIe lines (desktop CPU approx. 28, servers up to 128) more PCIe slots (graphics cards, RAID cards, network cards, etc.)
- Support for SAS disks (faster sister from the SATA bus)
- Cooling - servers have high-speed fans built for 24/7 operation (disadvantage is noise - silent operation is not a priority in servers)
- FormFaktor - servers are offered both in Tower (normal PC) and in RackMount which are used in RACK cabinets
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Let’s go through a few topics that will guide your hardware selection. Link to heading
My eight pillars of a useful home lab (or even business infrastructure) Link to heading
Power Consumption Link to heading
- Main interest in my homelab, is power consumptopn at the moment, I chose components with a focus on low consumption.
Expandability Link to heading
- do you want a big “all-in-one” server that can do everything? Will you need a high-quality motherboard on which you can fit all the necessary components? CPUs for regular PCs have a limited number of PCIe lanes. If you want e.g. combine a dedicated graphics card, a RAID card and a faster network card in the server, you will have to choose an adequate platform.
Computing power Link to heading
- Do you plan to have several small services or run the entire company software package? Deciding which CPU to use can be tricky. Fewer high frequency cores or more cores? Each choice has its advantages for different cases.
Storage Link to heading
- Do you need a lot of storage space? Do you want spinning disks for storing regular data or fast SSD / NVMe disks for virtual machines or databases? Storage Type, RAID, Software Defined Storage, Replicated Storage. This is one of many rabbit holes in IT infrastructure.
FormFactor Link to heading
- Differences between MiniPC and RACK server in size and capacity of various components. It’s basically a fancy way of expressing the size, shape, and other specifications that determine how a component looks and fits into a system.
Cooling Link to heading
- based on the previous pillars your homelab needs to be adequately cooled, LARGE servers with lots of hard drives or containing GPUs will need to have either: High airflow = noise | cool environment = air conditioning (or cool basement) | Low consumption = less heat generation (may mean lower computing power)
Network infrastructure Link to heading
- Are you planning to run a modest homelab with some basic networking, or are you planning to run a video editing server with a 10Gbit network? Maybe a cluster of servers with high speed storage on a 100Gbit network? Networking in general is another one of those rabbit holes you can fall down and never get out of. I use the Mikrotik or Ubiquiti brands, which offer both Routers and Switches as well as wifi that we can use.
Budget Link to heading
- Okay, let’s talk about the real elephant in the room - money! The lifeblood of this digital playground, the fuel that keeps our home labs humming! The initial cost of home lab components is one thing. Today you can buy used servers or components quite cheaply on ebay or other marketplaces. However, keep in mind pillar no. 1 POWER, which can easily increase operating costs by more than $50 dollars per month.
When we talk about computer hardware, the market is usually divided into three categories according to the size and needs of the target segment: Link to heading
1. Enterprise (Large companies): Link to heading
- These are organizations with complex IT infrastructure needs.
- Emphasis is on scalability, reliability and support.
- Typically hardware such as servers, storage systems, network infrastructure and workstations, designed for heavy workloads and critical operations.
2. SMB (Small and Medium-Sized Businesses): Link to heading
- This category includes small and medium companies.
- Their needs are more cost-oriented, with an emphasis on the balance between performance and price.
- Hardware can include mid-range servers, network devices, laptops, desktops, or NAS (Network-Attached Storage) for medium workloads.
3. SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) or home users: Link to heading
- This category includes individuals or very small businesses such as home offices.
- Focuses on consumer hardware that offers basic features at a low price.
- Hardware includes personal laptops, desktops, printers, Wi-Fi routers and external storage.
Key Differences: Link to heading
- Enterprise: High-end solution, robust and designed for large operations.
- SMB: Middle class, cost effective, focused on growing businesses.
- SOHO/home users: Basic, consumer oriented, with an emphasis on simplicity and accessibility.