Affiliate Kit Link for items in this video kit.co/lawrencesystems/homelab-rack-build Monoprice Slimrun Cat6 Ethernet Patch Cables Compared 28/32 AWG ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-l6qK0uOKlF0.html Rack Stud Weight Test ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JZPby6fkKwk.html Wall Fishing Tools & How To Use Them When Dealing With Fire Stops and Insulation ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-R5XePwAO4m0.html Interview: Dan Barrera With Ideal Networks About TIA 42 Cabling Standards & Testing Processes ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kNa_IdfivKs.html
@@me_doing_or_making_things4776 Those same folk seem to think that paying someone to do all that cloud shit for you makes it cheaper too. While this is sometimes true, some workloads just make way more sense on prem, or in your own private cloud.
To avoid scuffing, you can stick on thin adhesive felt sheets cut to size on those shelves and slide the server in and out w/o issue... The felt helps with sliding heavier servers in and out
Enjoyed the video, but as a long time IT guy, I have to recommend torquing the bolts in your rack properly, and using at least 4 screws to mount a piece of hardware or shelf near the top, middle, and bottom of the rack. Your rack absolutely should not sway like that. These StarTech racks are solid as a rock when set up properly.
The modular keystones are highly recommended in a home lab (non-punch-down) because if you are truly ‘homelabbing’, you are changing things around and those make it very easy to rearrange cables in the back of the patch panel as needed.
The Rack stud website has 2 different types and the sheer force is about 45 lbs per peg. Rack Studs extremely discourages their product use when transporting rack mounted items just a heads up.
I too would love to see the "real" shear point on the studs. I have some equipment that the traditional studs are OVERKILL but it is heavier than switches and such!
Every time someone says "the cloud" around me, I always say that just means someone else's server. Thanks for the video, its nice to get the opinion of someone that does it so much.
I recently retired from law enforcement and looking to start my next career in the IT world. I stumbled across your video and liked it so much that you got another subscriber out of it. I can’t wait to see what other videos you have available. Thank you
@@LAWRENCESYSTEMS Even physical penetration would be awesome. I heard of a business hired by bank to get inside and see where he can go without being found out. He sat cross the road has cafe to observer the comings nd goings, but noted that nearly everyone would use the staff entrance with swipe card lock. Anyway, he came back the next day with a large box, walked up to that door and pretended that it was too heavy to comfortably put down and found that someone let him in. Dropping the box at large interior bin, grabbed clip not. His was led to the main vault with someone just suming that he wss with the securiry company. When he got to the vault, he pull out his cell phone and called the vice president to give a quick report, "have a guess whrre I am?" "I wasn't challenged as to who I was or who am I seeing." There is no harm in asking if someone needs hand finding something or someone, especially if you have never seen them before, or has wandered back and forth several times without purpose, or even if you haven't seen them before but know everyone by face who work on the floor that you are on.
Hey Tom I noticed whenever you switched scenes while talking your audio doubled during the camera transition. Not sure if you're using OBS to record these, but just in case you are you can avoid that by using a single audio source, and copying the 'reference' between your different scenes (rather than creating a new audio source in every scene for the mic). Hope that helps - and thanks for the awesome videos!
IT guy here (over 20 years)... seen many data centers. I really like CableMatters wall mount patch panels. Their equipment has a PCB mounted punch down and ground straps as stress relief. Their RJ45 ports all come with dust covers too.
The adjustable rack shelf rails ❤❤. Didn't even know these were a thing. I'm new to home servers so there is that. Anywho, as soon as your video ended, click the links and bought a set. Thank you Lawrence 👍👍👍
One tip for mounting gear in a rack. Put a couple of screws in the rails just below where the bottom edge of the equipment will be. You can then rest the equipment on those screws, while driving in the first screws for the equipment. You'd be surprised how many people don't know this trick and I've seen two people trying to work together, one holding the equipment and the other driving in the screws. BTW, I have worked with some equipment (old mini computers and disk/tape drives), where mounting is a three person job, because it's so heavy. Two to hold the equipment and one to drive in the screws. Also re zip ties, I have seen some where they were so tight they damaged the cable. So, if you use them, they shouldn't be any more than snug, if that. Stick with velcro when possible.
Thank you for showcasing how easy it is to keep racks organized. Every time I would walk into a client data center, I would cringe at everything from the "spaghetti curtains" to the pile of loose gear stacked on top of the racked servers. The MDF sheet is a spiff idea, especially if you don't have fans in the top of your cab.
Those zip tie labels are awesome. I've been doing networking for personally or professionally for twenty something years and never knew they existed. Just bought a hundred of them.
I love Rack Studs!! Discovered them about 3 years ago and will never go back. I've never tried to test them limits, but would be happy to see you do it.
Thorough video, as always! I didn't know about the double-ended rj-45 keystones! Definitely a great idea, and I'm with you on punching down cables. Like you, my time is better spent doing more important things than cable-monkey tasks!
This week, I purchased six (6) MASSIVE custom 44U mixed use Server Racks. Im in way over my head, but I figure that I can begin to build out a sizeable mixed use lab operation..Im excited for the future!
nice video. I just installed an Aruba Instant On wifi system in my home. I used 2 AP22s, 1 AP17 outdoor AP for my woodshop, and the Aruba 8 Port POE switch. I need to learned pulling cable and terminations for work so that was the perfect way to do it. And yes, I agree, the slim cables are outstanding. We use them for our new installs exclusively now.
I don't think i'm OCD, but i'm rethinking that because I LOVED this video !!! Great detail and not rambling, it was to the point but still very detailed.
The Start-Tech racks are great - I have the 42u version in my home lab and it was pretty easy to put together. Managed to put the verticals on upside down because I assumed that the round holes on the sides were top-most but it was easy to swap the top and bottom assemblies and the ability to change the depth is useful if building in a space limited area and has to be moved to final destination. I need to get something to hide the side of the rack. With you on the RJ45 front and rear modular jacks - all of mine are this type; I hate messing with wires - my lab, my choice. I really wonder how marketing people can get away with selling "Cat 6" RJ45 couplers for such a high premium. Great video again, Tom. During the time that I've been playing with the home lab and learning a little more about networking, your video's have always been my font of knowledge. I've learned so much about Pfsense and general networking from you and can't thank you enough. Your style of explaining things is exemplary and very much down to earth and practical.
Another trick you can do is put in a shelf upside down and then put a heavy rack mount item on top of the underside of the shelf. It gives it a bit more support and allows you to easily add and remove when putting in the screws on the heavy item. For instance a UPS. This is especially helpful if you do not have side supports built in to your rack. You can also do this as a temporary helper/helping hands in removing a heavy item. After removing the heavy item, then remove the shelf.
This is exactly what I have set up, including the same 25U StarTech rack! All my A/V equipment is set up on shelves, an A/V power filter, 4U ESXI server, 2U server, 16 port switch, Rackmount UPS for computers and a shallow shelf for cable modem, HomeAutomation hubs and Nvidia Sheild. Plus I added a drawer to store cables. I used similar rails, a Keystone patch panel that has Cat6, USB and HDMI in it. Only I did use Cagenuts for everything and don't have a pc of wood on the top, it would be a junk collector!
I’m just getting started looking into a Homelab setup and really liked how you explained everything here. Starting off with a NAS setup to replace an old Synology, but will likely expand further.
The USB keystone extentions are awesome, in my last job position I had a desktop underneath a uline workbench, I would have to get down on my knees to plug in a removal thumb drive if I had to do a quick transfer. The Workbenches had outlet provisions, so I bought outlet to keystone adapters and two USB 3 extensions so I plugged in the extensions into the front panel of my desktop and then I had USB ports on the front of the legs that I could easily access without neededing to get on my knees.
I had no idea about modular patch panel and keystones. Moving into a house soon and was wondering about patch panel, definitely going that route knowing this now. Thanks sir.
Exactly the same home lab rack setup I have minus the rack studs. Already had the rack and was inspired by the rack in the studio sometime last year and mirrored most of the parts, absolutely love it! Even suggested and incorporated the patch panel at work after demonstrating how I use it.
I have that exact same ADJ PC-100A for my desk rack. It's a 6U network rack that's extendable. On the bottom is the power switch for my AMP, DAC, Studio monitors / Speakers, and Misc power. I also have 2 rack shelves. One shelf holds my AMP & DAC. The last shelf is a glorified organizational shelf. Would 100% recommend the PC-100A. It allows me to leave my studio monitors on all the time and control their power with the PC-100A as the power switch on the speakers are literally buried behind my desk.
I am really excited about this. I have been trying to research the best equiptment for rackmounting all my equiptment. Thanks so much! It was good to have a little bit of insight on this.
Hi Tom! If you'd install all four screws to each piece of equipment it'll add rigidity to the rack and prevent it from swaying. Also, I'd to see a video on the weight limit with the studs. I have to swap equipment in my pro audio rack occasionally (depending on the type and size of the event). If I swap the rails to server rails, it could save me time in the future with studs.
keystones are GENIUS tbh...i wasn't even gonna do anything at all, just a 1u brush thing. Keystones have like keystone for coax, hdmi, cat6...and best of all: Fiber LC keystones!
Currently 2022 this was a great video for someone like me starting to see the benefits of a home server rack for the organization & cable management alone. Yep got a rats nest to tame between entertainment, network, & gaming components
Thanks for manking tech videos about so much various stuff Lawrance, As a new tech, im really glad i can refer to your stuff wheneer i get into some sort of trouble. Fact is, when i get the job & ask if i could do anny homework in preparation for it ( very first IT job as i use to be a telecom guy) they told me to go trough your chanel as we share some opinion on stuff :D
Star tech makes a nice 1u shelf/rack for those, I have it in my top U and it gives nice deep spot to put a DS or small battery backups, and its adjustable to meet the rack depth. So its not like the shelves in the video.
I'm not a punch down fan either, I use rj45 pass through keystones. It minimizes the types of cable connections I need to make and adds flexibility to the setup. I'd also love to see some stress testing of the RackStuds. Thanks.
watched some videos of yours in 1.75x and the speed of your talkback for me to understand them are A+ :) great vids (not suggesting you talk slow or fast, just my random comment that can be ignored)
I like to use D-Ring wire runs to keep wires from the front of the rack. I run all cables to one side of the rack so I can swing out the equipment if I need to replace any piece of equipment. It goes so much faster to swing out the old equipment and just hang it with a zip tie and install the new equipment into the rack. Then I can just move all the wiring back to the new equipment without having to wire manage again.
One thing I did with my home rack was to wire the output of the cable modem to the patch panel and then the patch panel back to the router. I have a red cable connecting the two (all my other cables are black). If there's ever an emergency need to isolate my home LAN from WAN, all I need to do is pop that red cable.
I had a two post rack for my home theatre gear for many years. The cats figured out they could jump up to the back of one of the shelves, then up to a window ledge. From the years of jumping, my 12lb cat bent the shelf. It tore the metal at the mounting ears.
Always great videos and appreciate you sharing things with us all. Question concerning your equipment. Do you track all the changes that are made, in the configurations and why they were made?
I agree with your question and woukd also like to know; Does Mr Lawrence track his equipment changes? If he does then, does he also track and log the reason why equipment was changed? (So that's if it was removed, swapped for the same, upgraded the existing hardware in some way (CPU, RAM, etc.), replaced with a different model, replaced with the same model (No difference in hardware or software), or replaced with a different piece of hardware.) Lastly, Does Tom keep track of all of his equipment, cables, USB devices, Networking Hubs, Routers, WiFi AP's, Networking Switches, PC Systems, Laptops, Individual System components, etc.? I personally don't currently track changes but it is something I have been meaning to implement, and I have been acquiring the various items required to keep a well documented record of all of my hardware and equipment, currently I am just trying to find suitable software that I can use for a database for everything, something that can tie into a custom defined "Item Identification" naming scheme that can make processing of all of the information much more seamless than just doing it manually by hand typing and modifying database entries.
This gave me a few ideas, I'm new to the home lab stuff, but since I'm working on my CCNA, decided to give it a try. I was lucky enough to get some cisco switches from work and those studs might come in handy, because after trying to mount them by yourself those things get heavy after a while.
if you attach all your equipment with 4 screws in front just like your server shelf it will give your rack more stability. especially when it is on wheels and can be moved around.
Monoprice slim run cables, are great. Poe with non shielded cables I only do short distance (patch runs) otherwise I get the shielded/grounded ones for poe.
On my two-post rack, I put a full double-width shelf on the bottom and use it to hold UPS units. I also have a second double-width shelf in the middle that holds NAS units front and back facing. It's also long enough to hold a server in a two-post rack. Just make sure you anchor the two-post racks to the concrete floor with concrete anchors, so it doesn't accidentally tip.
Great timing on this video I've been setting up a 6u home network rack all week the house. I Dropped the power strip on day 4 in fav for a ups and I highly recommend rj45 dust caps 👍🏾. Keep on making awesome videos.
OH WOW that patch panel with swappable things is amazing!! I have a couple of GPU servers full of A4000's (4x displayport per) and breaking them all out to a single row across the top would be AMAZING!
Well, it’s also much cheaper. However despite the aws downtimes it’s not likely that you have fhe same uptime success at home than you would have a virtual lab (beeing able to Snapshot even the biggest volumes). But at least beeing able to switch the light without internet is a nice thing to have
I mean it’s pretty difficult with anything self hosted to have 100% uptime too. Tho at least with it at home for some things you can take the systems down when you want.
The problem is how often does your network go down at home? Also if you hosting stuff for others to use what if you have DDoS attacks come in? You aren’t really going to be able to mitigate that on a 1Gbps fiber connection like Amazon mitigates 2Tbps+ attack with ease.
@@Itsoperated On the other hand, don't piss off xbox script kiddies and you shouldn't get attacked :). I'm kidding, but, I have had my homelab online for years and never ran into those issues. You need to be a target someone cares about to attract that kind of DDoS.
@@slipknottin Selfhosted is still pretty great tho. My power and internet is pretty solid. I've had some downtime, but I've had more downtime due to home needs vs power/internet outages.
I love those clear/purple ultrathink patch panel cables. Remind me of oldschool Gameboy. Also love how they have a light at the port. Don't know why they made these so difficult to find.