A homelab can be just about anything, it might be your old gaming PC repurposed to run a Plex server, a cluster of Raspberry Pi devices, or a full stack of routers and switches you’ve cobbled together to learn the ins and outs of networking.
It all depends on what you’re trying to achieve. For those getting started in IT especially with a goal of working in field support or network admin, hands-on experience is invaluable. By being here, you’re already in the right place!
Books and videos will only take you so far. Building, breaking, and fixing real gear teaches you skills you simply can’t absorb passively. This blog covers the best gear to learn on and all of the ins and outs of budget home setups.
Prosumer vs Consumer Networking Gear: What’s the Difference?
Consumer networking gear, brands like TP-Link, Asus, Netgear, or Eero are simple, affordable, and easy to set up.
These “all-in-one” devices essentially combine routing, switching, and wireless into one box. They’re perfect for basic home use and are a great entry point if you’ve never set up a network before.
Prosumer gear, on the other hand, is modular and designed for more advanced users. Brands like TP-Link Omada, Ubiquiti UniFi, and Aruba require separate purchases of routers, switches, and access points.
The setup process can have a steeper learning curve, but it’s an excellent way to learn real-world networking concepts like VLANs, access control, and traffic segmentation.
If you’re looking to get your hands on enterprise-grade gear without spending a fortune, platforms like ETB Tech are worth exploring.
They aren’t the only refurbished networking equipment seller, but they are one of the most trusted.
They stock refurbished switches and routers from big-name brands at prices that are far more accessible than buying new.
Can You Practice With Just a Home PC?
Absolutely. Your PC is a great entry point for building your skills. Install Linux, set up virtual machines, experiment with tools like Pi-hole, or run your own internal DNS.
Virtualisation (via VMware Player or Hyper-V) allows you to simulate multiple machines, giving you the chance to explore things like routing, DHCP, and firewalls without needing extra hardware.
You may have built your own PC before, but if not, you’ll want to learn the basics of hardware.
Buy an old machine, take it apart, and put it back together. Learn to upgrade memory, replace HDDs with SSDs, and understand what M.2, SATA, DIMM, and SODIMM actually mean in practice. These are all things you’ll need to know if you’re aiming for any hands-on tech role.
Recommended Network Hardware for Learning and Lab Work
If you’re ready to build a more dedicated lab, here’s some gear that gets recommended often and for good reason:
- Switches: Cisco Catalyst 3750E or X models are dirt cheap on second-hand markets and great for L2/L3 switching practice. If you want to stretch a bit, the 3850s offer more advanced features like MPLS.
- Routers: Cisco 1841 and 2800 series are still widely used in labs and offer plenty of functionality for routing and even VoIP.
- Access Points: Ubiquiti UniFi APs are affordable and well-documented. Great for understanding enterprise WiFi.
- Phones: For VoIP, Cisco 7961s (for CallManager Express) or Polycom 500-series phones (for Asterisk) are easy to find and fun to configure.
- Virtual labs: Cisco Packet Tracer and GNS3 offer great virtual alternatives when hardware isn’t accessible.
Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or even IT asset auctions are always your best friend when buying networking equipment. You’d be surprised what’s out there for cheap or even free.
Tips for Beginners Starting a Network Lab
The most important advice: enjoy it. This is your space to experiment, mess things up, fix them, and learn by doing.
The gear doesn’t have to be perfect, the goal is to understand how systems interact and develop your skills.
Be patient with yourself. Start small, document everything, and build up over time.
Also, make use of the community. Subreddits like r/homelab and r/selfhosted are gold mines for tips, inspiration, and support.
You’ll find everyone from total beginners to seasoned pros sharing their builds, troubleshooting advice, and lessons learned. That goes for Facebook community groups too. Good luck!
Ella Marcotte
