Hi all,

Seeing as I created this community it seems only fair that I kick it off with details of my Mini Lab!! LOL

Instead of them just sitting on top of each other I took inspiration from another user and built a custom rack using 2020 aluminium extrusion and 3D printed parts.

These are the specs of the servers

Make Model CPU RAM HDD 1 (OS) HDD 2 (Storage) Installed OS
Dell Optiplex 7060 Intel i7-8700T 24Gb 240GB SSD 500GB M.2 Proxmox (Holden)
Dell Optiplex 7050 Intel i5-7500T 16GB 240GB SSD 500GB M.2 Proxmox (Nagata)
Dell Optiplex 7050 Intel i5-6600 8GB 240GB SSD 500GB M.2 Proxmox (Kamal)
Dell Optiplex 7050 Intel i5-7500T 16GB 240GB SSD 500GB M.2 Proxmox (Burton)
Dell Opitplex 3050 Intel i5-7500T 8GB 500 HDD 500GB M.2 Proxmox Backup Server

Pictures - https://imgur.com/a/d950ydM You can see most of the services I’m running in the Proxmox cluster screen shot, but I’m also running these in the CT called “docker-test”

  • Docuwiki
  • Heimdall
  • Homeassistant (test env)
  • Nextcloud (test env)
  • Nginx Proxy Manager
  • Portainer
  • Overseer
  • Pi-Alert
  • Uptime Kuma

My “Holden” node currently has nothing running but I intend to use this node for Plex and the *arr’s suite using my TrueNAS as storage for the movies & TV shows instead of the local storage.

I also have a a Dell Wyse 3040 that I’ve installed Proxmox on and this runs my instance of OpenVPN when I 'm away on holiday so that I can shutdown all the servers but still VPN home.

I’ve uploaded the print files to Printables - https://www.printables.com/model/499181-mini-lab-rack-for-dell-optiplex-mff-servers in case anyone wants to use them for something similar.

Also, it’s quite heavy so I’ve had to relocate it from on top of a utility room wall cupboard as I wasn’t convinced the cupboard brackets would support the cupboard, it’s contents and the server rack!! LOL

  • treadfulEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Not a fan of Dell, but that’s a pretty cool Optiplex rack. Wonder why we don’t see more of these little ITX rackable units.

  • 𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙚@programming.devEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    This is so awesome. I feel like I’m missing out on a truly awesome setup without a 3d printer. Raspberry Pi cluster cases are pretty pricey.

    Thanks for the inspiration!

    • SonyJunkie@lemmy.worldOPMEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Thank you, I’m really pleased how it came out.

      I’ve got 2 3D printers and I use them infrequently but they are really handy.

  • Mandolan@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Hi there! I’ve just bought 2 7060 SFF, hoping to get another one soon to get a pool going, I was attempting to install a NVME M.2 SSD but it’s not being recognised by the motherboard, I’m wondering if the m.2 drives you installed were they SATA or NVME? Did you have this issue?

    • SonyJunkie@lemmy.worldOPMEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Hi, I’m sure they are NVME. I think they are Seagate units. I didn’t use brand new ones, they were recycled from old workstations. I just reformatted them and installed them. Sorry I couldn’t be more help 😕