Homelab Hardware Tour: My Current Setup Overview

Hey guys, welcome back! I wanted to take a moment to share what I’ve been building —a small functional lab environment that’s finally starting to take shape. I’ve been piecing everything together bit by bit, and now it's time to walk through what the setup looks like, what gear I’m using, and how much everything has cost me so far. Let’s dive in.

The Rack

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Let’s start with the backbone of the setup: the rack. I went with the VIVO 12U Open Frame Server Rack. It’s compact, adjustable, and fits perfectly in the corner of my space. The depth is adjustable from 23 to 40 inches, which gives me the flexibility to mount different kinds of equipment, including a mini server down the line or even my existing home server if I decide to move it here.

Assembly was straightforward, and the build feels sturdy. You can mount it to the wall or just let it sit on the floor like I do—it even comes with wheels, making it super easy to move around. It includes two trays: a thicker one on the bottom for heavier items and a lighter one on top. For now, these two trays are more than enough, but you can always add more if needed.

At the price point, I think this rack is an awesome option for anyone starting a small home lab who needs something affordable but reliable.

The Firewall

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Next up is the firewall. I’m using OPNsense, installed on the ZimaBoard 832. I’ve already made a separate video about this device and the OPNsense installation.

The firewall gives me more control over network traffic and segmentation—super helpful when I’m testing apps and making constant configuration changes. Plus, it’s a great way to keep learning more about network security.

The board costs around $217, and it’s been handling OPNsense really well so far. Of course, if I hit any snags, I’ll make a video about it. Keep in mind, you don’t need physical hardware for this. You could totally virtualize OPNsense with something like Proxmox. But I prefer the physical separation, so this works for me.

The Switch

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For the switch, I’m using the TP-Link TL-SG108PE—an 8-port Gigabit PoE switch. Four of the ports support Power over Ethernet, which is handy if I ever need to power devices like access points or cameras without running extra cables.

It’s part of TP-Link’s Easy Smart Managed series, which means I get VLAN, QoS, and a few other features that are perfect for a small lab like mine. It’s not overly complex, and that’s exactly what I want right now—just enough functionality without overkill. Cost? Around $60. Definitely a budget-friendly option for small labs.

Wireless Access Point

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For Wi-Fi, I’m using the GL.iNet Slate AX—a compact travel router that’s currently acting as my wireless access point. This thing is packed with features, including Wi-Fi 6, and honestly deserves a full video on its own.

I had it lying around and didn’t feel like buying a new access point, so I repurposed it—and it's doing a great job. It’s lightweight, portable, and only about $100 depending on where you buy it. If I ever outgrow it, I’ll upgrade, but for now, it’s a solid placeholder.

The Brain of the Lab

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Last but definitely not least: the main server. I’m using the AOOSTAR WTR Pro with TrueNAS installed. I did a video walkthrough of the setup—You can check it out here (Installing TrueNAS).

Here’s the breakdown:

• Device cost: $609 (Ryzen 7, 64GB RAM, 1TB SSD)
• SSD upgrades: One for $90, another for $76
• HDDs: Four 10TB drives for a total of $800

That brings the total to around $1,575 for this server setup alone. This is where all my services and projects will live. TrueNAS has been running great, and while its virtualization capabilities aren’t on par with Proxmox, they’re good enough for now.

I do plan to eventually add a separate box for virtualization once I run into limitations, but I want those limitations to come from actual testing—not just gut feelings. For now, this setup is working perfectly.

Total Cost So Far

So what’s the total for everything in this environment, including cables and accessories? Around $2,100. Yes, the AOOSTAR WTR Pro took up most of the budget—but for good reason. It’s powerful, reliable, and scalable.That said, you can definitely scale this build down if needed:

• Use smaller SSDs or fewer HDDs
• Skip physical firewall hardware and virtualize it
• Choose a smaller rack or skip the rack altogether

Final Thoughts

The whole idea behind this setup isn’t to flex crazy hardware—it’s to build something practical, affordable, and expandable. I want to build, experiment, and learn. When I run into limitations, I’ll know it’s time to upgrade.

I’m not here to chase the latest gear or the flashiest home lab you see on YouTube. I want to show that you can start small, and grow from there.

So that’s it for now! I’ve got a ton of videos planned to document what I’ll be building in this lab—from school projects to personal experiments.  Stay tuned for more home lab content, and don’t forget to subscribe for upcoming tutorials. Stay Geeking!