Home » Blog

Home Lab Expansion and Project Ideas

 · 2 min · Jean Burgos

Making new home lab projects to learn and practice networking and virtualization skills.

HomeLab projects Networking Virtualization VMware Security+ Network+ CCNA VCP-DCV VCP-NSX Labs

Virtualization | Radio

Home Lab Networking Equipment

This picture is of my Home Lab equipment - Cisco 2610 Routers - Cisco 3750 Switch PoE - Cisco 2950 Switch - Cisco Air-CAP36020I Access Points with 5 GHZ radio (1x Autonomous 1x Thin client) - Dell Poweredge R430 - Juniper SRX320 - Juniper EX3300 Switch

In the midst of relocating to a new abode, I found myself facing the bittersweet task of dismantling my beloved Home Lab, the nexus of my networking and virtualization endeavors. Over time, it became apparent that my makeshift setup, with equipment precariously stacked atop one another, was far from optimal. Despite scouring the market for an affordable half rack enclosure to neatly house all my gear, my quest proved futile.

Undeterred, I opted for an open frame rack solution instead. This shift not only promised to streamline the organization of my equipment but also aimed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of my lab space. With this new arrangement, conducting experiments and tinkering with configurations would be both smoother and more visually pleasing.

Planned Home Lab Projects Ideas

  • Rack build
  • Equipment installation
  • Server install
  • Server upgrade
  • Proxmox install
  • CML Install
  • Network config for 2 sites
  • passthrough on the home router
  • AWS to Cisco router site to site vpn
  • Linux install on proxmox
  • TAK install
  • Line of site radio install
  • Cisco to juniper IPSEC Tunnel
  • WLC and Wifi AP configurations
  • Using TACACS+ Server with Cisco Routers

Certainly! Documenting these projects is an integral aspect of my learning journey. These labs serve as invaluable hands-on experiences, enriching my understanding as I strive towards achieving the prestigious Cisco CCNP ENCOR certification.

Here is some of the equipment I purchased recently for expanding my lab.

Dell 600GB 2.5 HD in a RAID 5 configuration Server Drive Upgrade 15U Open Frame 19" Server Rack Open Fram Cisco WLC Cisco AIR-CT2504-5-K9 Wireless Lan Controller Ubiquiti NanoStation M5 NanoStation M5 Wireless airMAX Network Diagram This is my vision for integrating all my lab gear for different Use Cases Rack Diagram This is how I want to install my lab equipment

Some of my Lab videos