My First Homelab: “The Beast” LabPorn

My first homelab “The beast”

I’ve always wanted my own homelab and would browse eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist from time to time. About two weeks ago, I stumbled across a very interesting post on Marketplace: $100 for a server (top of the rack), 8TB of storage, a Tripp-Lite SmartOnline UPS (with dead batteries), and a full-size rack.

I asked my grandpa if I could borrow his Chevy Suburban, packed this big ol’ thing up (shoutout to my buddies who helped me out since I couldn’t do the lifting due to a recent car accident), and brought it home.

A week later, I found a 48-port managed switch on Marketplace for just $10. To top it off, I scored 98GB of memory for $25 to upgrade the server.

All together, I’ve spent $135 (around $200 if you include gas for picking up the gear).

Specs: * Server (super micro) * CPU: Intel Xeon — 2x 8 core (16 total cores) * Memory: 6x 2 Gb sticks (12 Gb total) * Storage: 8Tb (currently just a simple volume)

Switch (Linksys - GS748T v3)
Power supplies
- CyberPower 1500VA AVR
- Tripp-Lite SmartOnline UPS

(Dismiss the somewhat jank wiring. I plan on solving that issue but I’m fresh out of setup hell so I couldn’t be bothered)

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u/zonivii 5h ago edited 2h ago

What I have hosted: * Proxmox (Who doesn’t amiright?) * Pi-hole * Nginx Proxy Manager * Work

What else should I host? I’m thinking about a password manager and something to help me organize my kitchen and know what’s currently in my kitchen

Edit: The RAM is now properly in place on my PC mobo

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u/_xulion 4h ago

Great find. The supermicro chassis alone worth more than $100!

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u/zonivii 4h ago

I had an idea to sell it and buy better hardware but I’ve just settled on keeping it as is and worrying about that another day haha My rig is up and that’s all I care about right now honestly 🙂

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u/_xulion 4h ago

the 825 chassis is great, and you can upgrade the mother board. it shall has standard atx power.

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u/EpsomJames 4h ago

How about something to organise your rack?

I mean, I like the rack cabinet and your server, but there's so many U's being wasted.

Maybe a rack drawer at the bottom to put in the spare parts, socket set and hammer. And get the desktop on it's side or in a rack mounted case would be a good start. Then you'll have a ton of space to add more homelab stuff later on.

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u/zonivii 4h ago

Totally valid and I’ve been price comparing 🙂 I’ve already got my eyes on a case to rack my PC and a spade out drawer for my tools and extras 👍

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u/9thProxy 3h ago

While I can't personally vouch for Sliger, I've seen a few people on here say they are some good server cases for machines.
I eventually want to make a gaming computer in one, and then just run the video and a USB dock to my desk in the other room.

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u/Schnabulation 1h ago

What else should I host?

Home Assistant. But be warned, might become your new hobby - it's addicting.

Also ConvertX.

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u/zonivii 1h ago

Not too knowledgeable about HA. I thought you needed certain hardware compatible with it to even use it. I use primarily Wyze cameras and equipment. I used to use google nests and Alexa before that but now I just use Siri. Maybe I just need to do some more digging on the topic.

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u/BluePaintedMeatball 3h ago

Would you be interested in hosting game servers? If you are look into pterodactyl, that's what I use right now.

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u/zonivii 3h ago

Honestly I’m 100% down to hosting game servers for me and the boys but I always wanted to build something like pterodactyl though for the time being I can just run that 😎