2025 HomeLab setup

By CLN Posted on 08/02/202518/02/2025 Category :

NOTE: No LLMs were used to write this blog post

As fiber is available to me now (5Gbps) I’ve build a new homelab for 2025.
As I share my office with my homelab I purchased a “sound proof” server rack, which is mainly just to keep dust out, I don’t mind the noise that much (spoiler: the online UPS makes noise 🤠, couldn’t see that one coming before purchase 😅)

Compute

Mac Mini M4 Pro 64GB RAM 2TB
- PiKVM V4 Plus attached for remote access
- Main usage: LLM’s / CI/CD
Ryzen 5900x + RTX 4080 Super
- LLM’s / Crackstation

Network

For 2025 I wanted to upgrade to a 2.5 Gig backbone, mainly because my access points can do 2.5Gigs + my storage (synology) has a 10Gig port so I can actually use my full disk r/w speeds. + I get 5 Gigs FTTH (fiber to the home) even tough my uplink is 2.5, I currently have no need to upgrade the gateway to a 10Gig.

Cloud Gateway Max as gateway
Pro HD 24 PoE as main switch + PoE provider
- 2x 10Gig ports (Mac Mini + Synology + Downstream switches)
- PoE++ capable so I don’t need to deal with power supplies
  - Pi5 uses PoE splitter
  - Hue bridge uses PoE splitter
  - The cloud gateway doesn’t have PoE in, so I use a PoE splitter too!
- 24-Port Blank Keystone Patch Panel
U7 Pro as access point

Storage

DiskStation DS1823xs+
- 3 x WD Ultrastar DC HC580 24 TB in RAID1
  - For storage
- 2 x WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB in RAID1
  - For dockers (speed!)
- Increased RAM to 64GB with KSM32SED8/32HC
  - For dockers

The rack

As I’m working next to it, I wanted a “soundproof” sound reduction rack, this one by LanView does exactly that, there is sound absorbing padding everywhere.
The default fans are loud tho, which I have replaced, scroll a bit down to see how

Lanview by Logon 19” 12U Rack Cabinet 750 x 800mm Soundproof

Server rack cooling

The initial fan module:

I modified the exhaust fans, they were running at 230v but were quite noisy, so I threw out the fans and replaced them with a 24V controller and 3x Noctua fans