homelab

Main Server and VM/Docker Host

Runs a few VMs - my Docker host on Ubuntu Server 24.04, a Windows dev box, a Home Assistant OS VM, and an AdGuard Home LXC.

Main Workstation

I use this machine for both gaming and work. I plan on switching to Linux in the future, but I see no need for it at the current moment.

Main Network Attached Storage

I built this server to use as my main NAS since I began to run low on storage, having only 4TB to work with in my main server (excidium). I use this server solely for file storage and use NFS shares to connect it to my application host.

I got the drives used through both my university surplus and through eBay. The motherboard, CPU, and RAM were repurposed from my old gaming rig. The case, PSU, and HBA were purchased off eBay.

My drives are in a single RAIDZ3 pool. I went this route to be able to afford multiple drive failures because I went the used route. Two of the drives I purchased from my university surplus were already failing, so it was worth the lower max storage.

I plan on switching to higher-capacity drives in the future. I was originally going to get 4 recertified 14TB drives before seeing how cheap secondhand 4TB drives are. If I were to travel back in time to before I built this, I'd go with the recertified drives instead, despite how much more expensive they are.

Testing and Experiment Machine

This was my first server, which I bought for $35 from my university's surplus.

This machine has seen many deployments and OS tests. I've used it to test things before I deploy them in my home. Since I bought it, it's been installed with Ubuntu, Proxmox, pfSense, and TrueNAS.

It originally came with 8GB of RAM, which I upgraded to 24 with old sticks from work.

I plan on using it as a dedicated game server host once I find a good place for it.

Development Laptop

This is my laptop that I use for development. I originally used it as my main system through college, and I repurposed it to use for dev and learning, which is why I opted for NixOS. I've found that it was difficult to get set up due to the unique hardware of a laptop, but once I figured it out, I've found that I really enjoy NixOS and how it's configured.

Streaming Box

I got this NUC to use in lieu of an Android / Apple TV box because I wanted something that could actually handle a user interface and I could configure exactly how I wanted. To do that, I opted for NixOS. I was familiar with its setup by having used it on my laptop.

I made the configuration very simple, only adding a few packages and flatpaks for streaming.