Isn't this more of a home network rather than home lab ? Lab would be where you can run software and hardware to actually experiment with things. Within a closed setup like Unifi you are hardly experimenting with anything if at all.
Cool setup no doubt because unifi does make some good bang for your buck hardware that is low maintenance if you want to mostly just set it and forget it. And this looks like one of those set it and forget it control from a panel things.
Lab would be where you can run software and hardware to actually experiment with things.
I used to push back against this, and I ended up getting really frustrated.
But then I realized that nobody else really cares, language changes, and I should just pay attention to other sources if I didn't like it.
At this point, to me, "homelab" means Plex, maybe some good organization of your stuff, and just enjoying setting something up that probably isn't really experimental. AKA production, but for the home.
I might be imagining it, but it seems like most people who are experimenting don't call it a homelab first, if they do at all. It's "the HA cluster I'm playing with" or "my AD setup for pentesting" or whatever.
Very off-topic but I’m glad you shared this. I get fixated a lot on language use and find it hard to accept that it evolves. Your approach to dealing with it sounds mature and it’s inspiring.
OP here: the rack is inside a small attic, where I also have my 3D printers and various other tools: https://imgur.com/a/pxSXvQH I just called it homelab, because the location was there and I've seen people use the names interchangeable.
It could just be the start of a network to play with and build on.
In a home, having this kind of a setup is akin to installing appliances that can be set, forgot, and relied on more and more. Everything can have a fast connection, and if enough people work from home, etc, it can be really useful.
There's always ways to make do, and have failover, or backup internet, but in reality, it can be worth it to look at plug and play for home like this to not rely on anything.
Ubiquiti has taken it's lumps recently, but their stuff is still generally OK for home. Other providers like TP-Link with their OMADA setup are quite decent too, it's always possible to go full pfSense, or better yet, as an appliance, just buy a Netgate switch that can do a lot relatively for great bang for the buck.
I have recently used a Ubiquity Dream Machine Pro SE, and it's super decent for any small office or home setup. It just kind of runs, and you can reasonably run and segment a fair bit. It's too bad the new hardware took a step back in what the software allowed but it looks like they're adding the features each release little by little.
A lot of hardware for homelabs can increasingly get into issues with licensing, updates, etc. Once we are beyond 2.5 Gbit fibre into most homes, the jump to 10 Gig equipment and beyond and how to slice and dice it has fewer options.
I would today, not purchase any 1Gbit or 2.5Gbit fibre network hardware. Speeds are increasing, too fast. My homelab might have an older switch one day that an handle multiple 10gig fibre runs, both inside and maybe coming inside.
Having a part of a homelab that is like an appliance (largely set and forget), it can let you have more time to experiment with the experimental.
Production grade in a homelab can be possible too, where others might rely on it. Don't want that getting in the way of homelabbing.
Comments
Isn't this more of a home network rather than home lab ? Lab would be where you can run software and hardware to actually experiment with things. Within a closed setup like Unifi you are hardly experimenting with anything if at all.
Cool setup no doubt because unifi does make some good bang for your buck hardware that is low maintenance if you want to mostly just set it and forget it. And this looks like one of those set it and forget it control from a panel things.
But this is less lab and more network imo.
I used to push back against this, and I ended up getting really frustrated.
But then I realized that nobody else really cares, language changes, and I should just pay attention to other sources if I didn't like it.
At this point, to me, "homelab" means Plex, maybe some good organization of your stuff, and just enjoying setting something up that probably isn't really experimental. AKA production, but for the home.
I might be imagining it, but it seems like most people who are experimenting don't call it a homelab first, if they do at all. It's "the HA cluster I'm playing with" or "my AD setup for pentesting" or whatever.
Very off-topic but I’m glad you shared this. I get fixated a lot on language use and find it hard to accept that it evolves. Your approach to dealing with it sounds mature and it’s inspiring.
OP here: the rack is inside a small attic, where I also have my 3D printers and various other tools: https://imgur.com/a/pxSXvQH I just called it homelab, because the location was there and I've seen people use the names interchangeable.
It could just be the start of a network to play with and build on.
In a home, having this kind of a setup is akin to installing appliances that can be set, forgot, and relied on more and more. Everything can have a fast connection, and if enough people work from home, etc, it can be really useful.
There's always ways to make do, and have failover, or backup internet, but in reality, it can be worth it to look at plug and play for home like this to not rely on anything.
Ubiquiti has taken it's lumps recently, but their stuff is still generally OK for home. Other providers like TP-Link with their OMADA setup are quite decent too, it's always possible to go full pfSense, or better yet, as an appliance, just buy a Netgate switch that can do a lot relatively for great bang for the buck.
I have recently used a Ubiquity Dream Machine Pro SE, and it's super decent for any small office or home setup. It just kind of runs, and you can reasonably run and segment a fair bit. It's too bad the new hardware took a step back in what the software allowed but it looks like they're adding the features each release little by little.
A lot of hardware for homelabs can increasingly get into issues with licensing, updates, etc. Once we are beyond 2.5 Gbit fibre into most homes, the jump to 10 Gig equipment and beyond and how to slice and dice it has fewer options.
I would today, not purchase any 1Gbit or 2.5Gbit fibre network hardware. Speeds are increasing, too fast. My homelab might have an older switch one day that an handle multiple 10gig fibre runs, both inside and maybe coming inside.
Having a part of a homelab that is like an appliance (largely set and forget), it can let you have more time to experiment with the experimental.
Production grade in a homelab can be possible too, where others might rely on it. Don't want that getting in the way of homelabbing.
It is, but still quite an enjoyable read, especially the part about wifi coverage.