Hardware¶
Quick Overview
What: Choose and prepare the physical gear for your homelab. Why: Hardware is the bedrock — without it, nothing else works. Time: 30–60 minutes to review, longer if buying hardware. XP: Up to 70 points (like Whose Line, the points are made up but the fun is real).
Entry Checks¶
Before proceeding, ensure you have:
- Administrative access to your network and hardware.
- A planned budget for purchasing or upgrading hardware.
- Adequate physical space and power availability for your equipment.
- Basic understanding of virtualization and networking concepts.
Outcomes¶
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Determine the hardware requirements for your workstation.
- Understand the specifications needed for Proxmox Nodes.
- Identify suitable NAS/Storage solutions for reliability and performance.
- Plan and configure networking hardware and VLAN segmentation.
- Understand domain name usage and SSL certificate requirements.
- Recognize the importance of a public IP or dynamic DNS service.
- Select appropriate power management solutions for your setup.
Your homelab starts with hardware. From workstation to power protection, this chapter helps you choose and prepare the foundation for everything else.
1.1 Workstation Requirements¶
A workstation acts as your primary interface for developing, configuring, and managing your homelab. This lab helps you review the minimum and recommended workstation hardware specifications.
Workstation Hardware Requirements¶
| Resource | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 8 GB RAM | 16+ GB RAM |
| CPU | Dual-core CPU | Quad-core or higher CPU |
| Storage | 128 GB SSD | 256+ GB SSD/NVMe |
Operating System Support: Windows, macOS, Linux Package managers such as Homebrew (macOS package manager) and Chocolatey (Windows package manager) simplify software installation.
Validation¶
- I have identified a workstation that meets or exceeds the minimum hardware requirements.
- I understand the recommended specifications for better performance.
- My workstation's operating system supports the necessary software tools.
🏆 Achievement Unlocked: Your workstation meets the challenge!
1.2 Proxmox Nodes Specifications¶
Proxmox Nodes provide the compute power and virtualization capabilities to run multiple workloads. This lab reviews the hardware needed to build effective Proxmox Nodes.
Proxmox Node Hardware Requirements¶
| Resource | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 8 GB RAM | 32+ GB RAM |
| CPU | Dual-core CPU | Quad-core or higher CPU |
| Storage Type | Basic storage | SSD/NVMe storage (prefer enterprise-grade) |
| Storage Size | 128 GB+ disk size | 500 GB+ disk size |
| Networking | 1 GbE NIC | 10 GbE or multiple bonded NICs |
| Network Interface Cards (NICs) | 1 NIC | Multiple NICs |
Optional Upgrades:
- Increase NIC count for better network segmentation and redundancy.
- Add GPUs for hardware acceleration and GPU passthrough.
Validation¶
- I have reviewed the minimum and recommended hardware for Proxmox Nodes.
- I have identified or planned for nodes that meet these specifications.
- I understand optional upgrades and their benefits.
🏆 Achievement Unlocked: Proxmox nodes powered up!
1.3 NAS/Storage Solutions¶
Reliable storage is essential for data protection, backups, and fast file access. This lab helps you evaluate NAS and Storage options suitable for your homelab.
NAS/Storage Hardware Requirements¶
| Resource | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol Support | NFS (Network File System) or SMB (Server Message Block) support | NFS and iSCSI support |
| Device | Basic NFS-capable device | NAS with multiple drive bays |
| Network Interface | 1 GbE network interface | 10 GbE networking |
| RAID Support | Optional | Required (RAID 1/5/6/10, etc.) |
| NIC Count and Speed | 1 x 1 GbE | 2+ x 1/10 GbE |
| Expansion Options | Not required | Support for expansion units or JBOD |
Validation¶
- I have reviewed the NAS/Storage protocols and device options.
- I have identified storage solutions that meet my data reliability and performance needs.
- I understand the importance of RAID and network interfaces for redundancy and throughput.
🏆 Achievement Unlocked: Storage fortress secured!
1.4 Networking Hardware and VLANs¶
Networking hardware enables segmentation, security, and performance optimization. This lab covers the selection of switches, VLAN configuration, and network protocols.
VLAN Example Table¶
| VLAN ID | Name | Purpose | Minimum Devices | Recommended Devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Management | Network device management | Optional | Separate VLAN for management |
| 20 | Workstations | User devices | Optional | Separate VLAN for workstations |
| 30 | Servers | Homelab servers | Optional | Separate VLAN for servers |
| 40 | IoT | Internet of Things devices | Optional | Isolated VLAN for IoT |
Additional Notes:
- Managed switches from UniFi, Cisco, or Netgear are recommended.
- Software options such as UniFi (default in this lab), pfSense, or OPNsense can handle routing and firewall duties.
- Use RJ45 (Ethernet connector) with Cat6 or better for copper; SFP/SFP+ modules and fiber for higher speeds or longer distances.
- Port forwarding and firewall rules are essential for secure external access.
- Consider PoE (Power over Ethernet) capable switches if you plan to power APs or cameras.
Validation¶
- I have reviewed VLAN segmentation best practices.
- I have identified networking hardware that supports my VLAN and performance requirements.
- I understand how to configure port forwarding and firewall rules.
🏆 Achievement Unlocked: Network pathways established!
1.5 Domain Names and SSL Certificates¶
Domain names allow external and internal access to homelab services. This lab reviews public and private domain usage and SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate considerations.
Key Points¶
- Public domain names require valid SSL certificates (e.g., via Let's Encrypt or Cloudflare DNS-01).
- Private domains often use self-signed certificates or internal certificate authorities (CAs), requiring client configuration.
- Choose domain types based on access scope and security needs.
- SSL/TLS certificates should be automated where possible using ACME (Automated Certificate Management Environment) clients.
Validation¶
- I understand the difference between public and private domain names.
- I have planned for SSL certificate acquisition or management.
- I know how to configure certificates for secure connections.
🏆 Achievement Unlocked: Domain identity claimed!
1.6 Public IP and Dynamic DNS¶
Remote access to your homelab requires a static public IP or dynamic DNS service. This lab covers verifying your public IP and assessing internet speed.
Verification Commands¶
curl -s ifconfig.me
curl -s https://ipinfo.io
Speed Test Options¶
speedtest-cli
# or
curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sivel/speedtest-cli/master/speedtest.py | python -
Additional Notes¶
- ISPs often provide asymmetric connections; upload speed is critical for hosting.
- Dynamic DNS services like DuckDNS, No-IP, or Cloudflare map changing IPs to fixed domain names.
- Consider IPv6 support for future-proofing and broader compatibility.
- For homelabs behind CGNAT, a VPN or tunneling service may be required for external access.
Validation¶
- I have verified my public IP address or set up dynamic DNS.
- I have tested my internet upload and download speeds.
- I understand the impact of internet speed on hosting services.
🏆 Achievement Unlocked: Public presence secured!
1.7 Power Management Solutions¶
Power management protects your homelab equipment and ensures uptime. This lab reviews power strip, surge protector, and UPS options.
Power Management Options¶
- Power Strip: Multiple outlets, no surge or outage protection.
- Surge Protector: Protects against voltage spikes, no backup power.
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Battery backup and surge protection.
- Smart PDU: Network-manageable power distribution with per-outlet control.
UPS Sizing and Buying Guides¶
Validation¶
- I have selected appropriate power protection for my homelab.
- I understand the benefits of UPS units for uptime and data protection.
- I have budgeted for power management solutions.
🏆 Achievement Unlocked: Power shield activated!
Exit Criteria¶
- I have identified or acquired a workstation that meets minimum requirements.
- I have selected or planned Proxmox Nodes with adequate compute, memory, storage, and networking.
- I have chosen NAS/Storage hardware appropriate for reliability, redundancy, and performance needs.
- I have planned networking hardware and VLAN segmentation.
- I understand domain name and SSL certificate requirements.
- I have verified public IP or dynamic DNS setup.
- I have selected power management solutions (UPS, surge, or smart PDU) for equipment protection.
🎉 Chapter Complete! You’ve earned up to 70 XP (like Whose Line, the points are made up but the fun is real). Onward to the next adventure!
Quick Overview
What: Shared abbreviations and hover tooltips for the campaign. Why: Ensures acronyms and jargon stay consistent across all docs. Time: Ongoing; update whenever a new term is introduced. XP: +5 per new acronym (like Whose Line, the points are made up but the fun is real).
Think of this file as your universal translator—every acronym here powers hover definitions site-wide.
🎉 Abbreviations updated! You’ve earned +5 XP for each new term (points don’t matter, but consistency does).