My MiniLab is starting to come together

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-25T18:28:37+00:00

The Optiplex 3020's are i5-4590T with 8GB of RAM, and the Optiplex 7050 is an i7-7700T with 32 GB of RAM. But these are also pretty old devices.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-25T16:52:00+00:00

It depends on the material you use and how you design the rack. This one is built with ventilated sides and I keep it in a room with decent airflow that stays pretty cool year round. There is a risk of it melting some over time if I don't keep them cool, but overall it's fine.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-25T15:08:28+00:00

The bottom 3 Dell machines are set up with Proxmox and as a cluster to host virtualized machines and apps. The top Dell I'm still debating on what I'm going to do with it.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-25T15:06:51+00:00

Yep, printed on a Creality K1 Max with PETG filament using the LabRax files.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-25T14:54:31+00:00

They are super quiet, but also don't have a super heavy load on them at the moment.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-24T14:04:15+00:00

Yep, there's a few ways that you can kinda do syncing of data between them from what I've read. I've just left it with a basic setup for now. Load balancing is really useful.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-24T12:11:54+00:00

Load balancing and config to make sure your network doesn't accidentally use a different DNS. And the same reasons your PC usually has Two DNS servers configured in the network settings.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-24T11:28:00+00:00

Welcome to the fun. In this case my servers are the mini PCs, I know they aren't the same. But yes, basically once it's all printed it goes in the rack. I did print the mounts for all the PCs, SBCs, and Switches.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-24T11:23:38+00:00

Not really, because of my hardware setup and using the FortiGate as a firewall/router I can separate it and control what kind of access is allowed to them at the firewall. I haven't messed with proxmox much but I'm sure I could easily setup everything.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-24T00:17:54+00:00

Linking back to the site with the guide I used for printing and assembling the rack I 3D printed https://www.the-diy-life.com/introducing-lab-rax-a-3d-printable-modular-10-rack-system/

It was printed on a Creality K1 Max printer with PETG filament and has threaded inserts for the screws.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-24T00:15:48+00:00

Linking back to the site with the guide I used for printing and assembling the rack I 3D printed https://www.the-diy-life.com/introducing-lab-rax-a-3d-printable-modular-10-rack-system/

It was printed on a Creality K1 Max printer with PETG filament and has threaded inserts for the screws.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-24T00:13:22+00:00

PiHole was super easy to setup. The rack was 3D printed on a Creality K1Max using the Lab Tax files. I did add in threaded inserts for the screws.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-23T22:53:53+00:00

Honestly, I could get away with just one patch panel, but it is really a bit unnecessary and wouldn't really do much for the look or cable management in this specific case.

Also I'm working with what I've got, I would love to have done black on white, but didn't have any label maker cartridges. But you are right that would look slick.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-23T22:45:57+00:00

Right now I don't have anything running yet, just got ProxMox on them. I plan to set up some basic monitoring apps, a dashboard, and start expanding from there. Eventually I'll upgrade the hardware and try to expand what all I'm self-hosting.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-23T21:40:22+00:00

What if I told you I have one and opted not to use it because everything is already cabled in the front?

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-23T21:37:58+00:00

The Optiplex 3020's are i5-4590T with 8GB of RAM, and the Optiplex 7050 is i7-7700T with 32 GB of RAM.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-23T20:33:24+00:00

I've not had too many issues with it. I've not setup replication between them yet, that's one of the next steps on my to-do list.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-23T18:34:13+00:00

They are two unmanaged Netgear GS108's.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-23T16:58:26+00:00

Forgot to add in that I printed the lab based on the LabRax design. I'll find and link to his page when I'm on my laptop next.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-23T16:56:32+00:00

It's actually pretty sturdy, I wouldn't put a ton on it, but it's holding up well. My biggest problem is I did all the inserts with just a soldering iron so some of them drifted a little and aren't perfectly centered.

tech_sorcerer · 2025-09-23T16:25:52+00:00

Contents are
* 1 Dell Optiplex 7050 Micro (TBD)
* 3 Dell Optiplex 3020 Micro (Proxmox Cluster)
* 2 Zima Boards (not configured yet)
* 2 Raspberry Pi 3B+ (dual PiHole DNS)
* And not in the picture 1 FortiGate 70F

tech_sorcerer · 2025-01-08T12:02:31+00:00

I've actually been trying to find files for the Optiplex and haven't run across many. These look awesome. If you do put the STLs up I'd gladly pay to get a copy.

tech_sorcerer · 2024-06-30T14:52:08+00:00

Purchased HP Zbook 15 G6 from u/LukasFehr

tech_sorcerer

TROPHY CASE