I started my HomeLab around 2018 / 2019 and it has been a wild ride. Like every HomeLab, it’s constantly changing and will never be 100% complete. I started with one single Dell PowerEdge server, and it grew and morphed from there.
Originally, I started with a Dell PowerEdge R410 running ESXi and that’s where the virtual environment took off. I really enjoyed using the free ESXi hypervisor (while it lasted.) But as my needs changed and as Broadcom took over VMWare, I moved away from using their software.
My original Setup was the following;
- Dell OptiPlex 7010 desktop running PFSense
- Dell PowerEdge R410 (ESXi – Standalone)
I made the jump to ProxMox as my Hypervisor, and I’m thrilled with the results. From my original Dell PowerEdge, soon doubled as I received a server from an employer that was retiring the unit.
My next version of my Homelab was;
- Dell OptiPlex 7010 desktop running PFSense
- Dell PowerEdge R410 (ProxMox Cluster)
- Dell PowerEdge T620 (Proxmox Cluster)
Fast Forward to the current day, I have switched modes to a more low-powered HomeLab. Since the Raspberry Pi Boards were introduced, I have grown to love them. I use a mixture of Raspberry Pi Boards, Zima Boards, Zima Blades and 3 HP EliteDesk 800 G2 Mini Desktops.
I highly Recommend the Raspberry Pi Boards and the Zima Blade / Zima Boards.
Networking Equipment:
- Unifi UDM Pro
- Switch 48 POE
Servers:
- 3 HP EliteDesk 800 G2 Mini Desktops (ProxMox Cluster)
- 2 Zima Boards
- 1 Zima Blade
- 10 Various models of the Raspberry Pi Boards
- 2 Dell PowerEdge R620 – Not currently used
Within my Homelab, I run a bunch of various servers and services.
Happy Homelabbing!