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Recommended Hardware
Note: I haven't used everything on this list. Some of these products are simply what I consider to be the best or best value for money in their category.
- HP 4SC18AA#ABA - There is no official HP listing for this adapter, so just search for the model number
- Insignia™ - Universal 180W High Power Laptop Charger - Black (use tip 20)
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Borroughs Rivet-Span® Boltless Shelving Solutions
- Pros
- Shelving is less expensive than U-Line and Storage Concepts
- Sturdiest design in its market segment
- Inexpensive shipping for main product
- Cons
- Relatively slow customer service replies
- Custom quotes required for additional deck components
- Shipping for additional components costs more than the components themselves
- Extra shelf
- Pros
-
Storage Concepts 5 Shelf Steel Boltless Shelving Unit with Low Profile Shelves and Particle Board Decking - The only retailers for these I've been able to find are Home Depot & 1-800-BUY-RACK. An example listing is below:
- Monoprice
- Cables2Go
- StarTech.com
The following 2 items are highly rated and should be bought together:
- Klein Tools Cable Tester Kit with Scout® Pro 3 Tester, Remotes, Adapter, Battery
- Klein Tools Probe-PRO Tracing Probe
These recommendations are primarily storage oriented.
Custom prebuilt PCs using Fractal cases can be bought from AVADirect.
- Fractal
- Meshify 2 XL (same size as the Define 7 XL, minus the external 5.25 in bays)
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45HomeLab
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- 2U Chassis
-
3U Chassis
- HPC-8316 (16 || 6 Full Height, Full Length)
- 4U Chassis
-
- 3U
- D-3100HN (10 || 4 Full Height, Full Length(?)) (WARNING: the first three expansion slots on an ATX motherboard cannot be used if the latter is installed in this chassis)
- 3U
-
- RPC-4224 4U Rackmount Server Case with 24 Hot-Swappable SATA/SAS Drive Bays, MiniSAS Connector (24 || 7 Full Height, Full Length)
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- 2U Super Chassis
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3U SuperChassis
- 835 (8 || 7 Full Height, Full Length / 4 Full Height, Half Length)
- 4U SuperChassis
Ideal Automatic Circuit Identifier w/Digital Receiver & GFCI Receptacle
Lee Products FlexiFile® Expandable Collator/Organizer
I do not suggest investing in anything wireless that isn't Wi-Fi 6 or higher.
- CPU: ≥ 4C/8T for mainstream use, ≥ 6C/12T for gaming
- RAM: Max supported RAM (by motherboard) ≥ 16 GB
- LAN (mandatory for desktops, optional for laptops): ≥ 1000BASE-T Ethernet
- Bluetooth: ≥ 5.0
- Wi-Fi (mandatory for laptops, optional for desktops): ≥ 2x2 802.11ax
- USB: ≥ USB 3.1 Gen 1
- Storage: NVMe SSD at the least
- GPU/video out: HDMI ≥ 1.4 or DisplayPort ≥ 1.2
- Display (AIOs & laptops only): ≥ 1080p for < 17 in; ≥ 2160p for ≥ 17.3 in
Note: I'm not aware of any independent audits of the following lines, but I'm also not aware of an actively exploited unpatched vulnerabilities. Generally, as long you
- Aggressive patch and update:
- your entire software stack
- BIOS
- drivers
- OS
- apps
- your entire software stack
- Use the disk encryption with a locally stored key
- Linux: Veracrypt or ZFS encryption
- Windows: Bitlocker + TPM
- FreeBSD: ZFS encryption
- macOS: Default new installation of latest release on supported Apple hardware
you should be fine.
- Apple Mac (macOS)
- Purism Librem (Linux)
- Secured-Core PCs (Windows)
- CPU: ≥ 2C/4T
- Must be either covered by speculative execution security patches (e.g. Intel Core 2nd Gen and above) or unaffected by speculative execution vulnerabilities
- RAM: Max supported RAM (by CPU) ≥ 8 GB
- USB: ≥ USB 2.0
- Storage: Available port for SATA SSD
- GPU/video out: ≥ HDMI
- Display (AIOs & laptops only): ≥ 768p
- LAN (mandatory for desktops, optional for laptops): ≥ 1000BASE-T Ethernet
- Wi-Fi (mandatory for laptops, optional for desktops): ≥ 2x2 802.11ax (2x2 802.11ac is acceptable but will slow down the rest of your wireless network when you eventually all other devices on the network from that spec)
- Dell
- OptiPlex
- Precision
- Lenovo
- ThinkCentre
- ThinkStation
- HP
- Elite
- Pro
- Z
For value, nothing beats a simple folding table. However, if you're looking for something a bit more permanent and classy:
- 1-800-BUY-RACK
- Autonomous
- Bush Business Furniture
ViewSonic VP2785-4K - 27" 4K UHD AdobeRGB ColorPro™ IPS Monitor w/ USB C & HDR10
If you don't need 1:1 display mode or controls on the front bezel, get the VP2768-4K instead.
Sony X900H Series Full Array LED 4K Ultra HD TV - The most feature-complete TV on the market, by far: Multiplatform smart OS (Android TV), FALD, VRR, 120 Hz, HDR (all major specs), ATSC 3.0, etc.
TCL 55" Class 6-Series 4K QLED Dolby Vision HDR Smart Roku TV - 55R635
Frigidaire 14.8 Cu. Ft. Chest Freezer FFCL1542AW
DuroMax XP9000iH 9000-Watt 459cc Dual Fuel Digital Inverter Hybrid Portable Generator with CO Alert
Uncaged Ergonomics WorkEZ Executive
Bosch GLM 50 C or GLM 50 CX - Despite the different names, these are the same product
Smart Keeper - This is the only physical port locking solution I'm aware of
Mount-It Single Monitor Desk Mount | MI-2751
Mount-It Ultra-Wide Single Monitor Desk Mount | MI-709
- Monoprice (highest Cat cable rating)
- Commscope (for serious in-wall structured cabling; generally used by professional contractors)
- Nighthawk® M6 Pro 5G mmWave WiFi 6E Mobile Hotspot Router, Up to 8Gbps, Unlocked
- Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW
Assuming they have the specs and features you want, always buy NETGEAR Business for unmanaged switches. Other brands are nowhere near as reliable and NETGEAR's warranty and support are the best in the business.
NETGEAR Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switches
NETGEAR 8-port and 16-port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged PoE/PoE+ Switches
Not all Ethernet NICs are Created Equal - Trying to Capture Invalid Ethernet Frames (Why Intel NICs are superior to Realtek, Broadcom, and ASIX NICs)
This is the 2.5 Gb/s standard.
- Actiontec ECB6250 MoCA 2.5 Network Adapter (Sold to service providers only)
- goCoax WF-803M
This is the 1 Gb/s standard.
- Actiontec Bonded MoCA 2.0 Network Adapter
- Hitron HT-EM2 (Difficult to find at retail; check service provider)
The following routers offer enterprise level performance, line speed routing in specs, and easy OpenVPN functionality while still covering consumer features such as UPnP.
The following devices do not offer GUI OpenVPN or Wireguard support, but still support UPnP:
- Ubiquiti
- UniFi Dream Machine Pro
-
EdgeRouter
- 4
- 6P
- 8
- 12
- 12P
The following AP is coming soon and may replace all the recommendations below:
Ubiquiti UniFi 6 Long-Range Access Point
You'll need UniFi Controller for all of the following. If you want to run Controller on standalone hardware, I recommend Debian 10 on a used PC orRaspbian on a Raspberry Pi 4.
In order of increasing performance and client density:
If you absolutely need to save money or better Windows support than what UniFi Controller offers:
TP-Link EAP245 V3 + Omada Software Controller + Omada app
(Wi-Fi 6)
CAUTION: Although Wi-Fi Alliance certification for this has begun, the standard has not yet been finalized by the IEEE. Buy products at your own risk.
In the router/AP's Wi-Fi Alliance Wi-Fi 6 certificate, the following should be in the:
-
Security section:
- WPA3™ - Personal
-
Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6™ section:
- OFDMA
- DL OFDMA
- UL OFDMA
- MU-MIMO
- Maximum Supported Channel Width (20, 40, 80, 160 MHz)
- Target Wake Time (TWT)
- MCS 10-11 Rx (= 1024-QAM)
- Beamforming
- OFDMA
ASUS RT-AX88U - (Wi-Fi 6 Certificate)
All products listed under this heading are Wi-Fi certified.
WARNING: The following products canNOT be guaranteed to not be affected by Bufferbloat.
- TP-Link Archer C8 (WARNING: Firmware updates factory reset this router, and it typically locks up or needs a power cycle about once every 2 to 3 months)
- NETGEAR R6400 AC1750 Smart WiFi Router
- NETGEAR R6700 Nighthawk AC1750 Smart WiFi Router (NOTE: Despite the higher model number, get the R6400 above instead if it's available)
WARNING: The following product is less likely to be affected by Bufferbloat than the previous ones due to its Linux kernel version (3.x), but that cannot be guaranteed
Plugable USB 3.1 Gen 2 Tool-free NVMe Enclosure
For some reason, it's become incredibly difficult to find highly rated (≥ 4 ⭐) ADF + flatbed scanners. However, the following model comes the closest of all (the affordable ones) I've seen:
Anvil 4 in. Glass and Tile Scraper
These are useful for installing VESA mounts on awkward surfaces, such as folding tables.
Be careful with composite shims as they're often too slick to hold together in a stack without slipping out.
Suncast 18" Steel Core® Ergonomic Combo
- StarTech.com SATA to 2.5in or 3.5in IDE Hard Drive Adapter for HDD Docks
- SYBA SATA II to IDE ATA133 Bi-directional Adapter - SD-ADA50016
The only providers I recommend are (in alphabetical order):
- Amazon
- Backblaze
- Dropbox
- Microsoft
Generally speaking, all HDDs that lack a workload rating have the same reliability. The only 2.5 in HDDs with workload ratings are ≥ 15 mm thick, which means they consume (nearly) as much space as a 3.5 in HDD. Also, I have no experience with the former. Ergo, they are omitted here.
Get the 512e models of these, or the 4Kn models if the former are unavailable. Do NOT buy 512n:
-
Seagate Exos X Enterprise Hard Drives - X14 and above Exos X models can be converted between 512e and 4Kn using Seagate's SeaChest Format
--setSectorSize
option - Toshiba Enterprise Capacity Hard Drive – MG Series
- US product page (Limited US availability, especially for higher end models)
- EMEA product page with comprehensive PDF spec sheet
- Western Digital
- Gold Enterprise Class SATA HDD
- Ultrastar DC HC (Ships with choice of SATA or SAS and native sector size. Both the 300 and 500 series HDDs have the same workload rating, but the 500 series is helium filled and has a lower annualized failure rate (AFR). The 2nd digit in the series number is apparently a drive raw capacity reference)
StarTech.com 3.5in Silicone Hard Drive Protector Sleeve with Connector Cap
- StarTech.com (always check here first)
- IcyDock
- Vantec
The following are based on the highest known (to me) specified throughput values. Check the specs of the disks you're intending to connect to the controller card for their throughput values. To avoid bottlenecking, ensure the selected card's throughput per port exceeds your disks' maximum individual throughput.
- HDDs: ≥ 270 MB/s (estimated)
- SSDs: ≥ 550 MB/s (estimated)
- AFAIK no SATA controller supports this much throughput per port. Users intending to use SSDs should probably use a higher end HBA instead
- SATA 3.0: 750 MB/s
- The above comment for SSDs applies
- Look up the Throughput value corresponding to the card's PCI Express version and lane count (xn, where n is an integer) in the PCI Express link performance table here
- Divide the result in 1) by the number of ports on the card
Always select the highest PCI Express version (1.0, 2.0, etc.) for your available slot (x1, x2, etc.) OR, if you have multiple available slots, the PCI Expression version + slot width combination that gives you the highest throughput in the PCI Express link performance table in 1) above.
The following combinations might bottleneck the connected disks and should be avoided unless there are no other options:
- 1.0 x1,2
- 2.0 x1
- High Point Rocket 640L (4 ports, 500 MB/s/port)
-
SYBA 4 Port SAS/SATA 6Gbps PCI-e 2.0 x4 Card - SY-PEX40096 (500 MB/s/port)
- The "PCIe 2.0 Host Interface (up to 5.0 Gbps)" on the product page appears to be a typo; PCI Express 2.0 has a 5.0 GT/s transfer rate
SYBA 5 port Non-RAID SATA III 6Gbp/s PCI-e x4 Controller Card (340 MB/s/port) (WARNING: this card provides x2 lane width but requires an x4 slot. Use it only if you lack the slot width for the 2 preceding picks and/or need more than 4 ports)
Crucial MX500 3D NAND SATA 2.5" 7mm (with 9.5mm adapter) Internal SSD
Just buy Samsung or Western Digital. Crucial SSDs' low endurance results in MUCH lower life than the SSDs from the former brands, and other brands' BOMs aren't as stable or trustworthy.
Don't skimp on performance with NVMe. Samsung is the fastest, highest endurance, and best supported on the market.
Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus NVMe M.2
Samsung SSD 980 PRO (Announced at CES 2020, not yet available)
Note: all LTO-8 drives need SAS at the minimum and do not support SATA.
HPE StoreEver LTO-8 Ultrium 30750 External Tape Drive
-
Quantum LTO Drives
- TC-L82AN-EY
- TC-L82AN-BR
- HPE StoreEver LTO-8 Ultrium 30750 Internal Tape Drive
The only 2 reliable brands are SanDisk & Kingston.
SanDisk Extreme PRO® USB 3.2 Solid State Flash Drive
SanDisk Ultra® Dual Drive Luxe USB Type-C™ Flash Drive
Belkin 8-Outlet Pivot-Plug Surge Protector, 6 ft. Cord
Panasonic Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer GN70K - Wet/Dry and Vacuum
I've heard good things about Eaton, but their lineup on their product site is pretty much impossible to filter, so I really have no idea where to start with them.
Per Tripp-Lite:
All on-line and many line-interactive UPS systems have pure sine wave output.
- bXterra
- CyberPower
- APC
- Back UPS PRO BR SineWave (search that page for "SineWave" as APC doesn't breakout sine wave UPS units)
- Smart-UPS (Differences between picks)
- Smart-UPS Online
- Tripp-Lite by Eaton (search that page for "sine" and "on-line" as Tripp-Lite doesn't breakout sine wave units)
- N1C Technologies
- EATON UPS Systems
- GE UPS Systems
- Minuteman
- Vertiv
- HPE
- V7
The Best USB-C Cables and Adapters
- Belkin RockStar™ 3.5mm Audio + USB-C™ Charge Adapter
- Moshi USB-C Digital Audio Adapter with Charging
The following support Windows Hello:
Organized Alphabetically:
- Explainers
- How Linux, BSD, UNIX, and macOS Relate to Each Other
- Why I Use Resilio Sync Instead of Syncthing
- Why US Buyers Should Purchase Datacenter HDDs instead of NAS HDDs
- Why You Should Separate Compute and Backup Workloads
- Why You Shouldn't Stress Test HDDs Unless You're Trying to Maximize Uptime
- Why You Shouldn't Use Most Premade NAS Solutions
- Guides
- Disaster Recovery and Backups for OpenRC BSDs to non ZFS Repositories
- Disk Encryption Options
- How Much Raw Storage You'll Need for RAID
- How Often Arrays Can Be Scrubbed Without Reducing HDD Life
- How to Calculate the Odds of Physical Attack Data Loss for a ZFS Array
- How to Configure a Samba Server
- How to Generate an Affordable Server or NAS Parts List
- How to Get Your Home Wired for Ethernet
- How to Install OpenIndiana
- How to Install Pycharm on Debian from the JetBrains script
- How to Set Up Regular, Recurring, Incremental, Online Filesystem Backups using Restic
- How to Set Up Regular, Recurring, Recursive, Incremental, Online, In Place Filesystem Backups Using zfsnap
- How to Store HDDs Long Term
- How to Update dnscrypt proxy in Debian with Minimal Downtime
- Projects
- Ongoing
- Future (in order of descending priority/implementation)
- Recommended Hardware
- Recommended Software
- Troubleshooting
- Useful Links