Homelab Hardware Components

Comprehensive inventory and specifications for all physical infrastructure components in the homelab environment.

Table of Contents

Overview

The homelab infrastructure is built on enterprise-grade components scaled for home use, providing:

  • High Availability: Redundant compute and storage systems
  • Scalability: Modular design for easy expansion
  • Performance: NVMe storage and high-speed networking
  • Efficiency: Low-power consumption with maximum capability

Current Configuration Summary

  • Compute: 3x Intel NUC cluster (12 cores, 192GB RAM total)
  • Storage: 8TB NAS with NVMe cache
  • Network: Ubiquiti UniFi ecosystem with VLAN segmentation
  • Management: Centralized monitoring and automation

Compute Infrastructure

Primary vSphere Cluster

Intel NUC NUC6i7KYK (Qty: 3)

  • CPU: Intel Core i7-6770HQ (4C/8T @ 2.6-3.5GHz)
  • Memory: 64GB DDR4-2666 (2x 32GB modules)
  • Storage: 250GB Samsung 960 EVO NVMe SSD
  • Network: 1x Gigabit Ethernet + 1x USB-to-Ethernet adapter
  • Form Factor: 4” x 4” x 1.5” mini PC
  • Power: ~35-50W per unit

Why Intel NUCs?

  • Compact: Minimal physical footprint
  • Reliable: Proven enterprise-class components
  • Expandable: Dual M.2 slots and USB expansion
  • Energy Efficient: Low power consumption vs. performance
  • ESXi Compatible: Full VMware support with dual NICs

Memory Configuration

  • Total: 192GB across cluster (64GB per node)
  • Type: Samsung 32GB DDR4-2666 SO-DIMM modules
  • Configuration: 2x 32GB per NUC for dual-channel performance
  • Headroom: Sufficient for production workloads plus development

Storage Configuration (Per Node)

  • Boot/VM Storage: Samsung 960 EVO 250GB NVMe SSD
  • Performance: 3,200 MB/s read, 1,500 MB/s write
  • Endurance: 100 TBW (suitable for homelab workloads)
  • Interface: M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4

Storage Systems

Network Attached Storage (NAS)

Synology DiskStation DS918+ 4-Bay NAS

  • CPU: Intel Celeron J3455 (4C @ 1.5-2.3GHz)
  • Memory: 4GB DDR3L (expandable to 8GB)
  • Drive Bays: 4x 3.5”/2.5” SATA
  • M.2 Slots: 2x M.2 2280 NVMe for cache acceleration
  • Network: 2x Gigabit Ethernet (with Link Aggregation)
  • Features: RAID 0/1/5/6/10, SHR, volume encryption

Storage Configuration

Primary Storage Pool

  • Drives: 2x WD Red Pro 4TB (WD4003FFBX)
  • Speed: 7200 RPM, 256MB cache
  • Interface: SATA III 6Gb/s
  • RAID: RAID 1 (mirrored) for redundancy
  • Usable Capacity: ~4TB

NVMe Cache (Recently Upgraded)

  • Previous: 2x Samsung 970 EVO 250GB
  • Current: 2x Crucial P3 Plus 500GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe
  • Performance: Up to 5,000 MB/s read, 4,200 MB/s write
  • Configuration: Read/Write cache for VM storage acceleration

Why This Storage Design?

  • Redundancy: RAID 1 protects against drive failure
  • Performance: NVMe cache accelerates VM and database workloads
  • Capacity: 4TB usable for VM storage, backups, and media
  • Expandability: Can add 2 more drives for RAID 5/6 expansion

Network Equipment

Network Topology Overview

The network infrastructure uses Ubiquiti UniFi components for centralized management and VLAN segmentation:

Internet → Arris S34 Modem → UXG-Lite Gateway → Core Infrastructure
                                ↓
                         ┌─────────────────┐
                         │ Garage (Patch   │
                         │ Panel Entry)    │
                         │ US-8 Switch     │
                         └─────────────────┘
                                ↓ Uplink
                         ┌─────────────────┐
                         │ Office Network  │
                         │ USW-16-PoE +    │
                         │ US-8 (vSphere)  │
                         └─────────────────┘

Core Network Components

Gateway/Router

  • Model: Ubiquiti UXG-Lite (UniFi Gateway Lite)
  • Location: Garage
  • Features: IPS/IDS, VLAN routing, firewall rules
  • Throughput: 3.5 Gbps with IPS enabled
  • WAN: Ethernet connection to cable modem

Management Controller

  • Model: UniFi Cloud Key Gen2 Plus (UCK-G2-Plus)
  • Location: Garage
  • Features: UniFi Network Controller, Protect NVR, Access
  • Storage: 1TB HDD for video recording
  • Remote Access: UniFi Cloud integration

Switching Infrastructure

Garage Distribution

  • Model: Ubiquiti US-8-60W (8-port PoE switch)
  • Location: Garage equipment rack
  • Purpose: Patch panel uplink and garage devices
  • PoE Budget: 60W for cameras and APs

Office Core Switch

  • Model: USW-Lite-16-PoE (16-port PoE switch)
  • Location: Office
  • Purpose: Main office distribution
  • PoE Budget: 45W for phones and devices
  • Uplink: Single gigabit to garage switch

vSphere Dedicated Switch

  • Model: Ubiquiti US-8-60W (8-port switch)
  • Location: Office (connected to USW-16-PoE)
  • Purpose: Dedicated ports for vSphere cluster
  • Configuration: VLAN trunking for ESXi management and storage

Wireless Access Points

Office Coverage

  • Model: UAP-AC-Lite
  • Location: 3rd floor office
  • Coverage: Office and adjacent areas
  • Bands: 2.4GHz (300 Mbps) + 5GHz (867 Mbps)

Main Floor Coverage

  • Model: UAP-AC-Pro
  • Location: 2nd floor central
  • Coverage: Primary living areas
  • Bands: 2.4GHz (450 Mbps) + 5GHz (1300 Mbps)
  • Features: 3x3 MIMO, PoE+ powered

Mesh Extension

  • Model: UniFi Beacon HD
  • Location: 1st floor
  • Purpose: Extend coverage to basement/ground floor
  • Technology: Wireless mesh backhaul

Network Cabling

Structured Cabling

  • Standard: Cat6 throughout house
  • Termination: Patch panel in garage
  • Runs: 8 drops to office, additional drops per floor
  • Testing: All runs certified for Gigabit performance

vSphere Cluster Networking

  • ESXi Management: Built-in Gigabit Ethernet
  • vMotion/Storage: USB-to-Ethernet adapters (Plugable brand)
  • VLAN Configuration: Trunked VLANs for traffic separation
  • Redundancy: Dual NICs per host for high availability

Power and Cooling

Power Consumption

Compute Cluster

  • Per NUC: 35-50W typical, 65W maximum
  • Total Cluster: ~150W typical, 195W maximum
  • Annual Cost: ~$130 at $0.12/kWh

Storage and Network

  • Synology NAS: 30-45W (depends on drive activity)
  • Network Equipment: ~60W total for all switches and APs
  • Total Infrastructure: ~240W typical operation

Cooling Strategy

Passive Cooling

  • NUCs: Fanless operation possible under light loads
  • Location: Office with air conditioning in summer
  • Airflow: Open rack design for natural convection

Active Cooling

  • NAS: Dual 92mm fans with temperature control
  • Switches: Fanless design for silent operation
  • Room: Dedicated AC zone for temperature control

Upgrade Path

Planned Upgrades (MINISFORUM MS-A2)

Next-Generation Compute Platform

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX (16C/32T)
  • Memory: 32GB DDR5 (expandable to 96GB)
  • Storage: 1TB NVMe + expansion slots
  • Network: 2x 10G SFP+ + 2x 2.5G Ethernet
  • Benefits: 4x core count, native 10G networking

Network Infrastructure Upgrade

  • Core Switch: USW-Aggregation (8x 10G SFP+)
  • Cabling: DAC or fiber for 10G connections
  • Benefits: 10x bandwidth for storage and vMotion

Migration Strategy

Phase 1: Deploy first MS-A2 alongside existing NUCs Phase 2: Migrate workloads to new hardware Phase 3: Replace remaining NUCs incrementally Phase 4: Implement 10G networking backbone

References

Internal Documentation

External Documentation

Vendor Resources

Last Updated: 2025-01-11 Maintained by: Mark Alston

This project is for educational and home lab purposes.