Up until now most of my homelab posts have been about software running on a Pi and a VPS. Time to give it a proper home. 🛠️
The kit: 🔹 6U swing-out wall-mount open-frame rack 🔹 1U 6-way PDU with surge protection 🔹 24-port keystone patch panel 🔹 Mikrotik CRS326-24G-2S+RM managed switch, sourced used and factory reset 🔹 M6 cage nuts and bolts throughout
🔍 The switch was a good lesson in patient sourcing. New, it's a stretch on a homelab budget. Used, with rack ears included, it was a fraction of the price and arrived in excellent condition. Factory reset, fresh config, and it was ready to go in an hour.
⚠️ Quick warning. I almost bought a different PDU, but reviews surfaced an exposed neutral wire issue on that model. Hardware reviews are not just about features. Sometimes they catch things that would seriously hurt someone. Worth ten extra minutes of reading before every purchase.