Component Recommendations for Proxmox Homelab with TrueNAS and Various Applications

Computer Hardware & Server Infrastructure Builds
1

Hello everyone,

I’m in the process of setting up my own homelab and would greatly appreciate your recommendations and advice. Below, I provide the details and requirements of my project:

Goals and Essential Requirements:

  1. Homelab Server with Proxmox: I want to create an environment to learn and practice various IT certifications.
  2. TrueNAS: One of the virtual machines will be a TrueNAS that will utilize 6 Seagate Exos X18 HDDs, each 18 TB (already have them) for backups and cloud at home.
  3. Cybersecurity and Sysadmin Labs: I need to set up labs with virtual machines for practice.
  4. Home Service Applications: I wish to run various applications in virtual machines and containers (Docker or similar) to service at home.

Components I Already Have:

  • Chassis: Fractal Design Node 804
  • HDDs: 6 Seagate/dell Exos X18 - 18 TB

Additional Requirements:

  • Low Power CPU: Seeking a processor that doesn’t consume too much energy.
  • Silent System: I want the server to be as silent as possible.
  • Compatibility and Performance: Compatibility with Proxmox and good performance to handle multiple virtual machines and containers.

Components I Need:

  • Motherboard
  • Processor (CPU)
  • RAM Memory
  • Additional Storage (SSD for the operating system and cache)
  • Power Supply Unit (PSU)
  • Cooling Systems (if necessary)
  • Network Card (if not integrated into the motherboard)

I’m open to specific recommendations for models and brands that you consider suitable. Additionally, any additional advice on configuration, optimization, and management of a homelab like this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your help!

2

If your goal is to learn, then hardware is not very important. Build out your box with whatever tickles your fancy.

If you do this right you will rebuild this box a half dozen times in the next year. Proxmox is nice if you want to ride a bike with training wheels, but if you want to go somewhere with this just use the CLI. Install debian and learn how the underlying components that proxmox uses really work.

Also, I would say suggest setting up a KVM VM and then just focus on playing with containers in that VM. Containers are the future.

3

I’d say build out your NAS box with the kit you’ve got. Then buy a cheap desktop, load it up with RAM and install Proxmox.