10" Mini Rack network / server setup incoming

[dualmeister]

New toys time

6U 10" Mini Rack acquired.

Time to update the home network with some PoE support added for future WIFi access point and a camera or two.

3D printed mount for switch ordered.

To add a budget second hand mini PC later. Might even try the Homelab thing lol.

Quick mount test, but will change.

 

[repitah]

One of the products my company used to sell was tool-less RJ45 keystones. Quite nifty for something like that where additions are bound to happen.

There is a massive 3D printing community around homelab racks like yours. If I remember the youtube channels/videos, I'll post them.

Enjoy and happy exploring/learning/expirimenting

 

[dualmeister]

Coming ideas.

 

[dualmeister]

Damn it Amazon why are you tempting me

Would prefer WIFI 6 though.

 

[ENIAC]

One of the products my company used to sell was tool-less RJ45 keystones. Quite nifty for something like that where additions are bound to happen.

There is a massive 3D printing community around homelab racks like yours. If I remember the youtube channels/videos, I'll post them.

Enjoy and happy exploring/learning/expirimenting

Tool-less keystones save time during installations. Also interested to see those 3D printing channels for rack accessories if you find them.

 

[dualmeister]

3D switch mount came out awesome.

 

[dualmeister]

Bit more time to play around today.

Switch fits 3D printed panel perfectly.

Only recently discovered Tailscale. Wanted to run it on my old Odroid C1, but seems it has decided to go RIP after all the tears.
Not to worry. Turns out my decade old Orange Pi One is still supported with a Debian 13 based Armbian install. Runs Tailscale
no problem.

Also discovered that the my Orange PI can fit in my old Raspberry PI case (which ironically has never housed a RPi)

 

[dualmeister]

Mini PC and mesh access point ordered.

One of the reasons for kicking off this upgrade is that my missus works from home full time now and is having issues with Teams disconnecting due to poor WIFI in the work area. Was going to run a cable, but the cell reception is poor as well.

Was going to go with a PoE TP-Link Access point to partner with me TP-Link PoE switch. However, after doing some more homework I've decided to add an ASUS Mesh compatible access point to pair with my ASUS router to make things as seamless as possible. Also ASUS is offering a cash back discount currently.

With the pricing of hardware these days it was nightmare trying to select a low powered Mini PC to run Proxmox (Tailscale, Home Assistant, Ad Guard, Beszel ect). My eye was on the ASUS NUC with Intel N250 processor. However, once configured with 16GB RAM and just a 256GB SSD the price was just ridiculous (even with second hand Marketplace components).

I ended up going with the older Intel N97 processor which is more than adequate for what I need to do. It does not have all the bells and whistles of the N250 such as 2.5GbE Ethernet, 6W TDP, triple display ect, but it will do every thing that I need and was on sale at Amazon US.

Now the wait ...

ASUS ExpertWiFi EBA63

Kamrui E1 N97, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD