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Hardware

Curated server builds, low-power Mini-PCs, enterprise NAS arrays, and drive benchmarks.

All Privacy Hardware NAS ZFS Reverse Proxy SWAG Plex Media Server Self-Hosting CrowdSec Fail2Ban Cybersecurity Networking Jellyfin Docker Automation

Best NAS for Photographers in 2026: UGREEN vs. Synology vs. Custom ZFS — Photo by Sanjeev Nagaraj / Unsplash

Best NAS for Photographers in 2026: UGREEN vs. Synology vs. Custom ZFS

The complete photographer storage architecture for 2026: the SD-to-cloud pipeline, the Lightroom SQLite catalog trap, 2.5GbE/10GbE network math, running Immich in Docker, and why UGREEN beats Synology for creative workflows.

Core Lab networking stack v1.1, circa 2022 showing a Cisco 24 port SMB switch and a Unifi 16 port POE Switch. — Core Lab networking stack v1.1, circa 2022.

My 2026 Homelab Networking Stack: OPNsense, UniFi & 10GbE

A real-world walkthrough of my 2026 homelab networking architecture: bare-metal OPNsense with 2.5GbE WAN, dual UniFi Gen2 switches, 10Gbps SFP+ storage backhaul, and Dockerized controller management.

A picture of Core Lab Joe's hand holding Core Lab's own UGREEN 2.5G USB 3.0 to Ethernet adapter, in production — Core Lab's own UGREEN 2.5G USB 3.0 to Ethernet adapter, in hand and in production.

UGREEN USB 3.0 to 2.5GbE Adapter as an OPNsense WAN NIC (Realtek RTL8156B, 1.5Gbps)

My 18-month field report: using a sub-$25 UGREEN USB 3.0 to 2.5GbE adapter (Realtek RTL8156B) as a plug-and-play OPNsense WAN NIC on a 1.5Gbps symmetrical fiber plan.

Image of a PlayStation 5 tear-down completed, with the motherboard separated from the heatsink and backplate showing exposed components. — PS5 Tear-down completed, time to re-paste & rebuild!

The Definitive PS5 Teardown & Deep Clean: Diagnosing Thermal Failure, Liquid Metal & Fan Problems

Does your PS5 shut off while playing games? Follow this hands-on teardown guide to deep clean the heatsink and safely replace the APU's liquid metal.

V1 of Core Lab's own rack, showing a Cisco SMB witch and an Ubituiti swtich, powered with LEDs and cabling. — V1 of Core Lab's own Rack when I moved to a new home.

The 2026 Homelab Networking Gear Blueprint

The real networking gear running my homelab: OPNsense, UniFi switches and APs, and budget 10GbE SFP+ switching, laid out as a layer-by-layer buying blueprint.

Comic book illustration of homelab PC parts including enterprise hard drives, motherboard, CPU, RAM, SSDs, and GPU scattered across concrete with Canadian maple leaves. — Every great homelab starts with a pile of parts. Whether you're buying brand new, recertified, or used enterprise hardware, choosing the right components matters more than buying the newest ones.

Where to Buy Homelab Hardware in Canada (2026): Sources & Border-Tax Survival

Where to buy homelab hardware in Canada in 2026: trusted used-enterprise and mini-PC sources, plus how to dodge brokerage fees and the border tax.

Best NAS & Homelab Hard Drives (2026): Plus the Canadian Recert Market

How to pick NAS hard drives in 2026, and the recertified Enterprise SAS/SATA drive market that quietly powers cost-effective Canadian homelabs.

A pre-built NAS being setup with the final (6th) 3.5" HDD sliding into the drive bay. — A pre-built NAS being setup with the final 3.5" HDD being installed.

Best Pre-Built NAS for a Homelab (2026): UGREEN, TerraMaster & More

The best pre-built NAS units for a 2026 homelab. UGREEN DXP4800 Plus/Pro and the TerraMaster F6 compared for Plex, storage, and RAM-upgrade headroom.

AMD Ryzen desktop CPU for a homelab server. — AMD Ryzen AM5 desktop CPU for a homelab server.

Best Homelab Server CPUs (2026): Intel vs AMD Builds by Tier

Intel or AMD for your 2026 homelab server? A tier-by-tier build guide covering Quick Sync transcoding, Ryzen core counts, chipsets and RAM for every budget.

Best Mini PCs for a Homelab (2026): Silent, Low-Power, Always-On Nodes

Best Mini PCs for a Homelab (2026): Silent, Low-Power, Always-On Nodes

The best mini PCs for a 2026 homelab, from silent N100 "Gatehouse" nodes to beefy Ryzen 7 mini-servers. Battle-tested picks for low-power, always-on self-hosting.

Prime Day 2026: Homelab, Networking & Budget PC Deals Worth Your Click — Photo by Anirudh / Unsplash

Prime Day 2026: Homelab, Networking & Budget PC Deals Worth Your Click

Skip the junk. Here are the genuine, tested Prime Day 2026 deals on 10GbE switches, OPNsense mini-PCs, NAS storage, and budget server hardware.

Picture of Codex - 80+TB Custom NAS/Server All in One, serving Core Lab and my digital life. — Codex - 80+TB Custom NAS/Server All in One, serving Core Lab and my digital life.

The Ultimate 18-Drive Self-Hosted Monolith: Why the Fractal Design Define 7 XL is Still the Best Home Server Case in 2026

A long-term review of the Fractal Design Define 7 XL configured as an 18-drive custom DIY NAS and home server running 58 Docker containers, Home Assistant, and n8n natively.