Projects

Home Based Enterprise Infastructure
The Home Lab Project

The best way to learn is to do. and I love to learn! Welcome to the future home of my personal data center, the Compaq Model 9122.

But that comes much later. I need to get power and data into this little closet. For now here is the state of the lab:

So what do we have here?

Hardware:

  • Dell PowerEdge R620 (1TB SSD, 96GB RAM, 2 Xeon CPUs)
  • 2x Synology NAS. 4TB each
  • Ugreen NAS, 8TB
  • iProda mini PC (1TB NVME, 16GB RAM)
  • Raspberry Pi 4 (1TB NMVE, 4GB RAM)
Software:
My Dell poweredge is my main machine, running Promox 8.x, with my iProda running Promox 9.x. The Ugreen NAS supports VMs as well, so I have a Proxmox Q-Device running here, so we always have Quarum for stack.

What VMs do we have here:
  • A web Server
  • MySQL
  • Mealie
  • MineCraft Server
  • Space Engineers Server
  • FreeBSD server
  • Ubuntu SSH remote access server
  • Windows 10 honeypot (for all those scam calls I get)
The NAS drives host all our photos, and backed up data from all the PCs in the house, as well as VM back ups. of course, in a 3,2,1 back up model, we still need off site back ups. I use Google Drive to keep our critical data offsite. I don't back up the VMs offsite, I calculate in a total loss scenario- I am not concerned if I need to rebuild from scratch.

Most of this would be useless without good remote access, which most homelabs accomplish with reverse DNS services. In my case, I have a business fiber connection with a dedicated IP address. that makes this setup even better! I manage everytinh with a UDM pro and switch sitting just below my fiber interface. I get symmetrical 2GB speeds consistently: What's next? This 1U is a good starter, but I would love to get a MinisForum MX-01 with 96GB of RAM to replace it. why? because on a modern platform the same amount of RAM will go further, and use a lot less power.

Converting a grill to an off-set smoker... kinda
Why spend $500 on a smoker when I can convert my grill?

I want to smoke meats. who doesn't? But a decent smoker cost $500 or more. There are cheaper models, but their design flaws makes for an inferior meal at the end of the day.

What makes for a good smoker?

  • The meat should be offset from the fire
  • Good airflow for the fire
  • Accurate thermometer
  • Good chimney
  • fire lower than the cook surface
  • Water to create a slight steam (prevents drying)
My current grill has most of these items. I have a dual-sided grill, and the charcoal bed is on a moving platform. I can also remove the divider from the grill to open up the space.

So, removed the divider, lowered the charcoal tray, added a water tray, and.. gave it a go. the only serious component I am missing is chimney, but I have decent enough airflow to accomodate for that.

I started my coal, added some Hickory, and let the smoking begin! Keeping and eye on the fire, and, being patient. The cook time took 4 hours, the the results are undeniable: My kids thought I went to our local BBQ place and got 4 pounds of pulled pork. Now that's a compliment you can't buy with all the money in Elon Musk's bank account.

So what did I learn?

  1. do your research before you spend money, you might have the right thing laying around the house already.
  2. I CAN smoke meats.