Homelab Introduction

Homelab is a term used to describe a personal computing environment set up within a home. It’s a space where individuals can experiment with technology, learn new skills, and build custom solutions.

Homelab use cases

• Personal Cloud Storage: Store and access files from anywhere.
• Media Server: Stream movies, TV shows, and music throughout your home or on-the-go.
• Home Automation: Control IoT devices like lights, thermostats, and security systems.
• Web Development: Test and deploy websites and applications.
• Gaming: Host game servers or run virtual machines for gaming.
• Learning and Experimentation: Explore new technologies and learn programming languages.

Benefits of a Homelab

• Customization: Build a system tailored to your specific needs.
• Cost-Effective: Repurpose old hardware or build from components.
• Learning Opportunity: Gain hands-on experience with technology.
• Control: Have full control over your data and privacy.

Should you have a homelab?

While homelabs can be fun and rewarding, they’re not a necessity for most people. If you’re passionate about technology and want to have more control over your digital environment, a homelab might be a good fit for you.

Common homelab hardwares

They are the most parts what you will pay for:

Term	Description
Computing nodes :material-server:	They are typically servers. They provides computational power and storage. They can range from repurposed old computers to powerful next-gen servers.
Networking Equipment :material-switch:	Routers, switches, cables are essential for connecting devices.
Disks :material-harddisk:	Hard drives, SSDs or even floppies :smile:
Electricity :material-flash:	A homelab can increase power consumption by anywhere ranging from 0W to infinity, depending on the specific components and usage. That will cost a lot of money :cry:.