What is a HomeLab? How can you build your own and why it's useful!

[@chelseawilson7233]

Saw this video on Saturday while searching for some good content on making my first home lab. Today I reached out to our Service Desk Manager at work to ask if they had any items I could use. Now I have a meeting with him for Thurs to go over any pieces or whole items they have available for me to pick up. I was stressing about cost before seeing this video. You're awesome for sharing these tips. I've been begging people for advice/tips for years (largely being ignored) & only recently found all of the info is available on KZbin. I'm absorbing it all like a sponge now. Thanks again!

[@AravindKumar-ch8ow]

dude it doesn't matter how long the video is it matters that how much information we are getting good luck

[@Itcareerquestions]

So very true!

[@juniorkhan650]

I prefer the longer videos !

[@Itcareerquestions]

Thank you Junior, that is good to know!

[@darylallen2485]

@@Itcareerquestions if you're concerned, just make multi-part videos.

[@summer-west]

I mostly filter for >20 minute videos. If I could set it for 1hr that would be super. 👍 love the pace of this too. Good for keeping attention. When I'm ready for a bedtime story I prefer ASMR.

[@jag831]

Pro tip: If your virtual machine is too slow bc of your limited pc specs (like mine), just rev it up, leave it alone, minimize it and use PuTTY to ssh into it. Sometimes a low budget develops your resourcefulness, which is maybe the most important skill in IT...

[@briannacluck5494]

I picked up a Compaq desktop from a university surplus sale for $50, bought a cheap wireless card for it and now I use it as a virtual machine host. Thanks to that, I've done network traffic experiments, set up an IDS and taught myself the basics of BSD sysadmin work! The best money I've ever spent.

[@thatdudee5344]

i need to try this

[@antoniokimble5286]

just fyi to everyone starting their home lab, expect your light bill to go up if you're running multiple computers or even a server(s) so budget it monthly. It's the cost of doing business but I thought I'd mention it, lol.

[@NotShivShank]

Love the long videos! Missed having these, was getting tired of all the short ad videos.

[@Itcareerquestions]

Haha, thank you glad you enjoyed it!

[@warshon123]

This was an extremely well put together video. While watching, I realized I've done some similar first steps towards this when I was younger. I tinkered a bit but had absolutely no guidance on how to continue it further than inspecting some wires. No that I'm older and can understand the value of documentation (which this video is awesome enough to include) I can see how I can take all the old computer parts laying around my house and purposefully explore some of these concepts. You including that tidbit about the Raspberry Pi at the end is also insightful. I got one during my time in programming class and considered it only useful as a tool to program to. I didn't consider the possibility of using it as experience for an IT career. Thank you so much for your shared wisdom!

[@Itcareerquestions]

Are you building a homelab? What does your setup look like? Hit up the LinkedIn thread and add your own photos!

[@JCGarcia1]

Currently getting on that virtual gns3 🏃🏽‍♂️

[@beccaboo9960]

So i have a question about all the wires and things... in a home lab is there any draw backs to cutting the wires shorter for things like swiches routes exc..?? Y does everyone have long wires just looped instead of cuting the wires shorter?? Do wites have to be a minimum length to work properly??

[@kyou9401]

@@beccaboo9960 Hello. I'm not an expert or something but I guess 'coz it's easier if you have to move/change in your setup. Cutting the cables shorter doesn't have a drawbacks as long as you crimped it properly. Some cables like fibre cables have fixed length and cannot be cut shorter. (Sorry for my bad engrish)

[@The_Waraba]

Can we have a link to the documentation sample ?

[@checknate8820]

its a Active Dir domain running on vbox

[@bulcub]

AMEN BRO!! What you are telling folks this is the new way to INTERVIEW for those sought after TECH POSITIONS that you may not have worked for/on at previous companies but you took the initiative and spent your money in upgrading your skills at home and then getting that cert!

[@owmahdah]

Man, thank you so much for what you do. I’m a baby sysadmin trying to learn solo during the pandemic, and I can’t tell you how helpful this is. It made things much easier for me to understand.

[@scrimpmster]

The great thing is now that you can use the cloud as a lab. Yes there is a cost, but you can spin up and then power up any instances as and when you need them and only get charged for when you are using them.

[@sowelldonetv6475]

The first video that explain home labs without over complicating it thank you

[@passportbro904]

This tells me as someone brand new to IT that going to university for a fast track 2 year IT degree is the best thing to do, cant wait to learn the foundations

[@markarca6360]

I have started with an old Dell Latitude E5400 with Win7 Pro and VirtualBox (enabled Intel VT in BIOS prior to installation), and using a pfSense (firewall) and Ubuntu VM (PiHole Server). To prevent slowdown, I used a 4 GB USB thumbdrive for Windows ReadyBoost.

[@terrancepinkney777]

Amazing video and great insight on supplementing your experience with lab work. I'm doing just that and have a virtual lab setup and bought a server for only $40.00!! I'm going get a couple more PC's and a switch etc. The link for experience tip is priceless! Thank you

[@tonyr.5673]

Thank you so much, studying for CompTIA Network+ exam, (and more, oy), but this really helped and you have great tips!

[@KyleNutt]

Zach is my hero 😊

[@Itcareerquestions]

You're my hero

[@bryonmiller4326]

I got a modern rack server and a synology nas with two 6 tb hard drives for free from my friend's job. He's the head of IT/Networking and he was upgrading equipment, so they just gave it to me and said it was "recycled". I play with vmware a lot and bought a ubiquity udm pro router. I like to play with this stuff, I should actually try to get a career started based on it.

[@SPLaholic]

I started on my HomeLab last Sunday. Right now it's nothing more than a server, router, 2 desktops. Using *buntu fo rthe server, which is running apache, mysql, php, jellyfin, and file transfers/storage (10TB). All the devices (cellphones, tablets, notebooks), in the home, connect to the server, except for the xbox (for now). This way we can use jellyfin to watch movies anywhere and on any device, we want. Soon to be adding security cameras, and anything I can, to make the home lab bigger/better. I think this is a decent start though.

[@adipurnomo5683]

I would use Plex for media server

[@PreparednessToday]

Thank you for this video! I'm currently applying around and studying for my CCNP from Cisco (after the certpocolypse I should start saying the CCNP ENCOR) and I do have my own home lab. This video helped me get ideas on how to document what I do and share with potential employers. Keep up the good work!

[@GregoryDeese]

I have went by tech companies and found expensive and operating equipment in the trash. Try to get the stuff that hasn't been rained on. Switches, routhers, RFID readers, VOIP, you name it. Very good advice, list the model numbers an software versions on your resume.. Prowords that search engines find for head hunters.

[@TheServerGeek]

Great video. A simple thing to remember for those just thinking about it.....get some advice....then just do it! I've had a home lab "of some sort" for 13+ years. So many ways as shown in this video, and more, to get started. As someone else suggested, $500! Even spread out over 3 months is not a huge investment to get started.

[@thenoisyelectron]

My old core2duo rig had one of those copper butterfly coolers! Man that takes me back

[@americancanuck9790]

This is one if not the best Video I have seen how to set this stuff up. You have just gained another like and a new subscriber. I will definitely be setting this stuff up and trying it out in the next couple weeks!

[@jamiew.lacroix7055]

At current I have 4 Cisco 3750X-48P-L switches, 2 C3951 Servise Routers also 2 2951/K9 routers, 3 Dell PowerEsge T-410 Tower Servers and a few more Cisco switches which asyou said I got them for free. The reason for the home Lab would be to get that experience of how to UnF**K a network which went down, with no reeal down side. Thanks for all your hard work.

[@mr.demiurge5700]

Hey Zach! Just nabbed my CCENT last Saturday and on my way to the ICND2. Definitely considering building a home networking lab for that final hurdle before the CCNA!

[@diegoferreiro7432]

A home lab would be an inmense boost for ccna

[@mouloud5834]

Thank you for helping beginners like myself..i just started my college degree in computer science

[@samuelmontypython8381]

Bro I'm in my junior year of CS, you won't touch any of this lol. Study for the CompTIA A+ and Net+ exam in your free time / summer and use a home lab with networking gear, a cheap laptop, a cheap desktop, peripherals, and some spare computer parts. Unfortunately, CS is mostly computer architecture theory, calculus (lots of calculus), and programming (which is the only good part, but unfortunately programming is only like 4, maybe 5 classes tops). It's 2 years of gen ed, extra math courses, etc and then your core work finally. I wish I had just gotten my certs up front and gotten into IT directly. My friends are getting hired for better IT positions that I qualify for just with a few years experience as a PC tech and a few certs. If you want to do IT (not the same as comp sci) then do your research. I'm going to finish my degree just because I have 2.5 years in so far, but I probably won't use it. Good luck!

[@GhostyGhost7007]

@@samuelmontypython8381 I'm in this exact situation. I'm a sophomore about to finish my 3rd semester and I really dont want to do it anymore. I'm taking my second Comp Sci course and they're fun, I love them, but I know they wont serve me in cyber security, which I eventually want to work my way into. I'm considering just dropping out snd starting with Net+ and Sec+, and maybe decide where I want to specialize once I get in.

[@Demontehbest]

i work in a datacenter and i’m starting to learn all this 😂 this video was very insightful i’m gonna have to see if i can get some equipment cause we got a lot

[@KeytarArgonian]

Oh my god I’m kind of blown away here... so I’ve just been made redundant from my old workplace as an electronics recycling center... and we get HUNDREDS of network switches, towers, servers, RAM and CPU’S like high end stuff. Some SUN servers and Cisco switches and I’ll be honest we weren’t trained in what these things actually do? We just sorted them into cages to be shredded. But now I’m looking at getting into IT, I start a course in September and I’m going down the Cisco certification route and starting my own home lab. The thing I always knew then but realising more now I hear you say it’s worth THOUSANDS is this. Industry secret *whispers* (this stuff is pretty much WORTHLESS! I’m not kidding by the time it hits us at the recycling place it’s literally worth the iron price and a tiny bit more for the board which is even classed as low grade boards which gets sent to Germany after its shredded and sorted. And they’re happy for it to go in with low grade as it bumps the price when it’s sampled 🤨 sneaky sneaky) Man I can’t wait, once my notice is over and it’s been a few months I might just bump my old boss £50 and snag me some switches 😊 they get exposed to the elements a bit but on the whole they’re still working! They come from a company that specialises in upgrading office setups and just sells the stuff they remove as scrap.

[@teerich2011]

Or go directly to that company to take some off their hands before it goes to your old company!

[@kingcrimson3073]

or just make a company that takes the stuff from their hands and resells it

[@oldblackdot]

My setup Laptop with I5, 8gb ram, 1tb hdd My Virtual machine Kali 4gb, 20gb I use an app called splashtop to turn my tablet into a monitor.

[@Inquire98]

"Thank GOD" 🙏🏾 and thank you very much for your sharing, support and time 😉 I am currently updating/upgrading my home-lab 😎🙏🏾😎 GREAT video 👍🏼

[@michaelross3061]

Documentation was a great idea. Thanks for that info so much

[@stejothepisto]

Just 9 minutes in and I've learned so much already. Really good explanation for so much information. Thanks

[@srellestech8723]

This was a helpful. I have my own home lab. I’m currently building more on to it. I really appreciate your videos. Please keep it up. Thanks

[@obinnanwosu7110]

This video is full of good and right information, to direct one to the right path Keep the good work dude🙏🏻

[@CyberTronics]

Maybe a video on how to get started, what are the first steps to make a lab. My only experience is with packet tracer at the moment… so even if I had theequipment with me I’m like ermmm what do I do now.

[@Catp00p]

I just wrote out this long comment asking if you knew of any virutal switch/router stuff. GNS3 is a lifesaver. Thank you Zach!

[@ahmad3810]

Really really appreciate your videos and amazing advices zach. You are absolutely right . I have learned a lot from my home lab than books and videos even things that they didn’t mention in books and videos.

[@jhoncoolio6153]

this video is just what i needed to get going with my home lab thank you very much

[@bulcub]

an older pc with at least 16g of memory or more, some cheap affordable ssd's, You can build a lab for under $300.00 and be on your way.

[@johnmadsen37]

It’s a computer, not a lab.

[@Felix-ve9hs]

@@johnmadsen37 If you run VMware ESXi or Proxmox VE on this one PC and have a Router, Switch, Firewall, Fileserver etc. as a VM you can call this a Lab :^)

[@johnmadsen37]

@@Felix-ve9hs hey, if you wanna exaggerate and call it a lab, since this must of hurt your little feelings, go ahead. People with labs know what a lab is. A file server is what - a file share or block level storage (if you know what that is) - a qnap device... no. A single machine with vmware is a single machine. What are you experimenting? How to install linux or windows 10 times on the same machine? But if it makes you feel better. Youre kinda desperate. When I run a development, staging, and production farm that is 24 machines for each environment, running shared services that interact with service accounts, email, and other shit -- that is barely a lab. But yes, your single machine is a lab. Sure buddy. How about get a job in IT first, then learn what a lab is.

[@HR-eb4vs]

@@johnmadsen37 Woah mate, you have some big ego there.

[@olababs2048]

@@HR-eb4vs i thought kim Jong Un don't like his citizens to use social media like youtube, Facebook and all of that? lol...lol..lol

[@useitagain12]

Good job. Home labs, documentation, and resume building are a little clearer now. Thanks!

[@OGBhyve]

The processor will need to support Intel VT-x or AMD-V to run as a virtualization host. Most modern CPU's support it but it is often disabled in the system BIOS or UEFI by default.

[@kenworks6068]

Excellent job taking on the broad overview.

[@Echo3_]

i was able to get the 3 switches and 3 routers on ebay for about $65 total. they are very common now :)

[@michaelrueckert255]

I enjoyed your video on Home Labs. I am just getting started on my HomeLab. So far I have a couple of domain controllers, with one having a couple of child domains attached to it. I have one server running Hyper-v Core 2019 for virtual machines, which I have both linux and Windows machines running on it and thank you for mentioning Kali. It looks like a cool linux machine

[@atenchifan]

Parallels helps me out so much since I can’t really afford to buy my own equipment or it’s very slim chance I get find some for free!

[@pompmaister2438]

I love using Proxmox for my virtualisation. I love how you can configure it entirely from a webinterface.

[@AdHdEntertainmentLLC]

Really appreciate this video has I have been wanting to do this for awhile and I recently graduated from University

[@karthikeyanv3400]

Great Man. Thank you for all your effort and the way you stress and enforce the ideas to everyone. Excellent. Keep it up.

[@danney777]

I just finished a home lab with some old P55 chipset hardware to build a home lab. I think I spent $100 for what I was lacking. It can be very affordable and easy.

[@Mr.Anderson-y2j]

Good video with some great ideas. I need some recommendations for a good multi Gig switches for a home lab. Thanks in advance.

[@carlos_mann]

This is so awesome, I can't wait to build one!!

[@ashleybishton742]

I'm a new subscriber trying to get into tech support. I am doing comptia A+ and MTA Security Fundamentals. I have also done advanced level of cyber security but mainly now focusing on microsoft server 2016, 2019 so I can get a foot in the door with a VM

[@o.o.6854]

Hi, thanks for this awesome video. I am a newbie to the IT space and looking to get hands-on experience in Networking and Security, please are you able to recommend the relevant equipment and their specifications one needs to set up a home lab so I exactly know what to start collecting? Secondly is there a step by step guide/video you can recommend on how one puts these equipment together? Thank you

[@mrcell61]

That was helpful. Thank you. I have virtual box and have an ubuntu machine installed. I will get more machines going and networked.

[@Fitzkrieg]

This is incredible knowledge, thank you man

[@marios7706]

Find someone who talks about you, with the same passion Zach talks about computers and routers! Always a pleasure watching your inspirational videos. Greece is watching you

[@808foodlover]

I tried reaching out to Zach. nada. I still watch his vids if the title intrigues me, but given up on contacting him. Just my two cents.

[@crowncontrol3637]

I got 5 monitors 3 laptops and 2 desktops...i just need the home now

[@libraryofthoughts0]

Home is where you are. Home is an abstract concept. You'll need a tangible house. A dwelling unit😅

[@crowncontrol3637]

@@libraryofthoughts0 haha fair enough. Actually what i really need are good electrical outlets that i dont need ground adapters for LOL

[@bertnijhof5413]

I retired from IT in 1-1-11, so I'm more interested in maintaining a VM museum of OSes and software. I'm only interested in learning new things, if it is useful for me, like using modern file systems like ZFS and BTRFS. So I boot and run ZFS on all my systems! To run Virtualbox I use a Ryzen 3 2200G on 16GB (3000MHz). It can run say 4 modern Linux desktops or 2 Windows desktops (Vista, 7, 8 or 10) at the same time. Before May 2019 I used a Phenom II (4 x 3.2GHz) with 8GB of DDR2 (800MHz) in a 2008 HP dc5850 :)

[@inkbythebarrelandpaperbyth6905]

I'd love to see an A+ certification homr lab set up

[@JJFlores197]

You don't really need anything fancy. If you have a couple of old PCs laying around, you can use them to learn. That's how I got started in learning about PCs; just taking apart an old PC as a kid.

[@Mr.Anderson-y2j]

An old PC and a good reference book and some discipline is the key.

[@zyzzuschrist3410]

Very valuable video. Thanks for sharing!

[@Itcareerquestions]

You are very welcome!

[@RayoBeatz]

you must be really smart because you are the only person to explain this shit in a way that i can understand you earned a sub and a like.

[@alexjeremiahgaming8915]

Wao zack you are the best i needed long time ago, i loved every minute of this video may GOD bless u and ur entire family 💘

[@nigel3270]

Zach this is probably your best video! Great video mate, exactly what we need as it is very hard getting into IT. Thanks Zach!!

[@fireden3]

Great video and love the use of WOW names.

[@puffondatbeatz]

Great Video! Just recently was asked a question about a home lab from a student I'm tutoring. Definitely sharing this link! Great Job Zach! P.S. My lab made it in the video :)!

[@3learner603]

All great, but these windows VMs you have they are free temporarily and you'd have to keep installing them or buy licenses as I know, any suggestions on that and how to get some licenses so we don't have to bother further?

[@RevGunn-jq3cq]

I gave away my $4,000 home lab and replaced it with 2 laptops and went virtual

[@robertfletcher2648]

Thank You man, you're very helpful.

[@DexterCanDraft]

Can you make a video on how to use mysql databsse from homelab via cloudflare to which I can connect from cloud?

[@Renox94]

What about a cloud homelab? If I want to learn Azure for example. Why don't build a Azure Homelab in the cloud? Too expensive?

[@hawwestin]

Like for great explenation of documentation. As a QA this is sth that many underestymate a lot and then waste so much time recalling the same data again and again

[@julessaintemartine4758]

Great video Zach. Thanks for the upload brother.

[@michealhabib9559]

Thank you so much , I got all of information from your video. Keep going

[@Gorillajoe22]

Great video zack loved every second of it. I was wondering if you could make a video or a reddit post about cyber-security home lab. That would be amazing thanks

[@Itcareerquestions]

Hey Aaron, thank you very much! I will reach out and compile some info for this video.

[@Gorillajoe22]

@@Itcareerquestions great....thank you so much for your hard work

[@rickshawandy]

What a great video. Thank you very much!

[@wolfieziggy19]

When I was studying for Cisco and MCSE I built a lab in my front bedroom. Still have the routers, switches and racks.

[@Kylemathews1]

You want to sell them? And are you in the United States?

[@factfactory575]

If my router is set up in the living room of my apartment and my main PC is in another room, what's the best approach to creating a homelab?

[@arthemis1039]

Maybe try moving the router in your homelab ? Or you could just run a cable from the router to the lab

[@linwilson3633]

Thank you so much for the ideas

[@micjakes1]

This guy rocks. He can motivate a rock.

[@aaronunroe5267]

Great video and amazing information, thank you

[@siop921]

Hey Zach, I'm about 2 years from retiring from the military. I'm looking at getting into I.T. when I retire. I am VERY VERY new to I.T. I obtained my Sec+ and Net+ certs about a year ago. I'm scheduled to get my ethical hacking cert this spring. Watching this I'm thinking I should start pre studying with a home lab. Should I start this lab with a laptop which I have or should I get a decent desktop to start building my lab?

[@AxiomBrevity]

This was a great video and something I have been interested in for a while. On a side note, whatever happened to Du'an Lightfoot? Anyone know?

[@Itcareerquestions]

Axiom, glad you found it useful! I'm not sure what you mean? I haven't spoken with him for quite some time, ill shoot him a text.

[@AxiomBrevity]

@@Itcareerquestions it says he hasn't posted a video in about a month.

[@12012channel]

@@Itcareerquestions Looked at his twitter, sadly his grandpa passed away.

[@miss-sw3qu]

How about AWS EC2? For 12 months Amazon provides Free Tier with 8GB storage. By the way lovely Video

[@Morristown337]

Or... take all the gen 3 or later pcs you can slap together from all the builds or projects we have done and put ParrotOS on 1, dual boot Kali and Windows 10 on another, and find 2 of your better pcs for serverOS, (I only have server2012 atm) Of the 2 install base server on both and the first server role should be the hypervisor so you can create VMs for each server rol. I say 2 machines because one is for testing before choosing to implement it on the main domain controller. It would be nice to have a managed switch (I use a Cisco Catalyst 2960 myself) and measure, cut, and create all your ethernet cables from access switch to all these computers with the strongest (cat 6 or 5e cable from switch uplink to router) My uplink is on opposite side of my house from my lab so I had to crawl under my house and drill holes and run an uplink from my router to my switch. It was fun tho.

[@averageChoom]

can u give course about setting up a virtualization server? great video i might say, the documentation part is really crucial

[@jamesrafferty7986]

Where's the best place to start when it comes to virtualization? I have multiple operating sytems in vm and dont really know what to do with them. Sorry if this seems basic, im just starting the journey.

[@thegamestas]

Why are you wanting to virtualize? What do you need multiple OSes running at the same time for? I virtualize a NAS os, PiHole OS, Plex os server, torrent os, and a few downloading lxc containers.

[@djmcwill1010]

These search terms will get you far: ESXi, Proxmox, XCP-ng, QEMU/KVM, Hyper-V, bhyve. I long ago abandoned and refused to use Virtualbox, but it’s recently found a home on my local Win10 machines, and I’ve found it very useful and dead simple to setup even with multiple, oddly specific virtual interfaces. For a network virtualization slant, GNS3 is unbelievably great. I also think containers are really sensible in a lot of cases, so LXC, LXD, and Docker may all be worth discovering, too.

[@MassHysteriaMan]

Great Video! Is there any basic video tutorials for setting up my first homelab? About to search now but just wondering if anyone has seen any good videos :)

[@ingolepatil7831]

Thanks for Guidance

[@markodollions3023]

For somebody who is new to networking and wants to have a home work to do the hands on lab what do you advise I do

[@opensourceecon]

What about using smaller switches, the ones for small to medium businesses like the TP-Link TL-SG105 5-Port 10/100/1000 Mb/s Desktop Switch?

[@williamburl4303]

Your channel is awesome!

[@chujekwu]

great video..Thanks a lot..I will start building my right away ..

[@alhadad1979]

From where to get those good, cheap & old stuff?

[@olivert.7192]

good video. I'm just wondering, whats the best way to back something like this up? Should i use a separate NAS for that? Or is there a way to mirror the stuff into some cloud storage

[@PatDorush]

Hi, you could buy a NAS $ or if you have a extra computer with multiple drives you can build your own NAS Box with free software like FreeNas, Open Media Vault, Rockstor + others. Rockstor and Open Media Vault can run on a small drive or USB stick you leave plugged in and the Storage on bigger drives.

[@md8315]

Thanks man! Good stuff!

[@AnimalSyndicate]

All and all, you're right, but at what point does one build his/her own homelab? It's not as if you're in the middle of your networking semester you just randomly think of buying one and structuring one.

[@ZoMbIEx23x]

Do you have any hardware recommendations for switches and routers?

[@trueoxfordcomma]

you forgot to mention needing licenses for cisco devices in GNS3. the appliances do not come with the software...crucial info

[@808foodlover]

Not buying into this. I've tried where I live to get parts and such. and no joy. Glad Zach responds to you guys, really I am. Buy my past questions have fallen on deaf ears 😔

[@Itcareerquestions]

I try to answer everyone that I can, my apologies if anything was missed. I think we all have different luck when it comes to this. It took me years to build up a collection of equipment. 1 piece here 1 piece there. Whatever questions you have let me know. I'll try to clear this up the best I can.

[@808foodlover]

@@Itcareerquestions It was so long ago, I can't remember. I even tried your website contact me page. Struggle as I have without someone from the youtube community...I've pretty much given up on all of these "we're here to help" vids. Thank you for responding.