My Homelab currently consists of 3 Mini PC’s and will eventually be put in a 10" rack

They are all just plugged into the router my ISP provided, I’d like to get a new router that runs open-source software and create a new network from it. I have no idea where to begin.

What hardware would you recommend?

Bonus: If possible I’d like to in the future attach a sim card to my network as a backup for the occasion that the ISP connection drops. (just a nice to have)

  • curbstickle@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    2·
    15 hours ago

    Assuming you want to replace it all, not just home lab use…

    1. Drop their router/modem combo if you can, get your own modem and router. Options are pretty wide here, but what I prefer is a wired router and separate WAPs. I’d lean toward opnsense for the router OS, and I’d use something with as little as two to four ports - one for the modem, one to hit a switch, two more gives you a second modem option (cellular as mentioned) and a second switch to hit if needed. Ideally with 10gbps for future proofing. Dont make your router/FW do lift of a switch, IMO.
    2. Get a switch sized to your network. Since you’re going with a 10" rack, a small 8 port with a couple 10gbit uplinks would fit the bill. Managed only here. You dont need the latest and greatest - I have a stack of Aruba 2920s, 48+4 PoE+ (stacking cables) that I got for free that were being replaced. They came out in 2013 and went end of sale in 2017, and have been in my home lab since. So - any thing managed that handles what you have and a bit more.
    3. In terms of WAP, TP-Link, ASUS, and Zyxel all have decent hardware that works well.