A Three Server HomeLab for less than $1,000!

Building your first homelab is always fraught with challenges. Do you build or buy? What platform? Will your spouse divorce you? If you've asked yourself any of these questions, this might be the video for you.

But first... What am I drinking???

Ft. George Brewing Vortex IPA. Just a classic NW IPA. Hop forward, lots of hop oils will leave you tasting nothing but IPA for the next hour. Some people don't like that... I see it as a plus, because I get to taste nothing but IPA for the next hour.

*Links to items below may be affiliate links for which I may be compensated*

Other parts from this build:

Follow me on Twitter @CraftComputing

Music:
Hot Swing by Kevin MacLeod
No Good Layabout by Kevin MacLeod

[sublockdown]

The swearing while mounting shows this guy knows what he is doing.

[WilliamAudette]

Pro installation tip, take two of your least favorite screwdrivers and insert it through the Server Ear Eye Holes of your choice on both sides (e.g. bottom left and bottom right hole) of the rack to pin it in place through the appropriately aligned rack holes that will eventually have screws in them too. The screwdriver bears the weight while you fiddle with the screws. The largest diameter screwdriver that will fit through both sets of holes will glean you the least fiddling as it will achieve the best temporary alignment, they also act as handy levers for slight alignment adjustments pre tightening.

If you like this idea, bend the pair into hook shapes and they won't ever slide out until you work them out.

[Romnipotent]

I ordered the case, but it did not include free cat. Did I order the wrong one?

[dainipeagram]

back in the day (1980's) you could get plastic feet for MB mount holes that did not line up to any mount points in the case (you can probably still get them). This would solve your wobbly MB corner

[viperhalberd]

I love this channel. Thanks so much! Brings back memories of when I worked for a small server system builder for 10 years. The number of cheap Chinese cases like this that we had to find work-arounds for to get all the cables connected and everything to fit was insane. I was so glad when they fully switched over to pure Supermicro, although even that came with its challenges when the customer wanted non-standard kit in the build.

This channel was an easy subscribe!

[senzelian]

To overcome the airflow issue with ATX power supplies in 2U chassis, I used an SFX to ATX adapter and mounted an SFX power supply inside the chassis. This will leave about 1cm of space between the case wall and the fan for the power supply to breathe.

[TheRogueBro]

Rosewill, such a great company. Cheap server chassis have saved my life a few times lol. I'm very tempted to follow this and make a Proxmox Cluster!

[TechnoTim]

Really nice work! I see some Proxmox HA in your future! Can't wait to see what goes on them!

[CraftComputing]

21:17 *Dell R710... So both on-camera Jeff and editor Jeff are idiots this week.

[TheBrettDuncan]

Great video, man. I love seeing builds like this where you're making due with low-cost hardware and not pretending like everyone needs a Threadripper.

[RemyL]

Magnetic-tipped screwdrivers.... are not a backup LMAO
Also, Rambo was helping LOL.

[lohannes]

I have been doing homelab for over 4 years now, and I just want to say that you are my absolute favourite youtuber. I was in a bit of a homelab rut in the past couple of months, and you have reignited my love for networking. Thanks for the videos!

[osrr]

Don't lie, your case decision was solely based on the free cat.

[PaulBarsotti]

Tip on getting the significant other on board: point out that if you don't have a home lab, you'll be screwing around with VMs on the same system that your family photo backup is on.

[beauregardslim]

Venting for standard PSUs is why I prefer 3U cases. And room for full height cards. Totally in agreement when talking about fan noise.

[GC]

I'm looking forward to videos about what you decide to use your brand new servers for. Homelab fascinates me, but always seems like too much hardware for my needs.

[TheAnoniemo]

You can also get ATX powersupplies with an 80mm fan pulling air through the powersupply front to back so that would remove the need for top ventilation in this case.

[skaal_]

Quick way to double the cost of all these servers replace all the 80mm fans with Noctua NF-A8s

[malbeth]

OMG. Free cats are the best bonus item! Love you Rambo <3

[darkienescariot]

"It was cryptocurrency e-waste, babe! Oh - those? I'm...just...recycling... these old Xeons and chipsets."