Getting Started with Homelabing in 2026

Summary

The video presents homelabbing as a flexible, hands-on “software Zen Garden”: a way to learn, build useful self-hosted services, and reduce reliance on subscriptions. Its central advice is to start with hardware you already have or can obtain cheaply, rather than buying new equipment before deciding what you want to do. Options range from recycled business PCs to DIY servers and powerful compact systems.

Software options

• Figo OS is presented as a relatively approachable NAS platform with Docker support and a free tier. Its initial setup guides users through creating a storage volume and offers ZFS, BTRFS, and ext4. The presenter favors ZFS for data integrity and describes BTRFS as a possible choice for a two-drive mirror.

  • Figo OS also offers Figo Photos and Figo TV; Docker apps such as Immich and Jellyfin are alternatives.
  • Figo TV is easy to try and can share access without requiring friends to have their own subscriptions. However, the presenter notes that its show identification can be inaccurate.
  • Criticisms include a basic SMART-warning implementation that may flag drives without enough context. Figo OS also has a backup task, but a NAS by itself is not a backup. The presenter recommends following a 3-2-1 backup approach.

• HexOS provides a simplified, point-and-click interface built on the TrueNAS foundation. Its goal is to make TrueNAS’s storage and resilience capabilities easier to manage without requiring users to learn as much system-administration terminology.

  • HexOS is described as a beta product, and setup requires at least three drives for data protection.
  • The presenter reports that booting the installer through Ventoy failed, while flashing the ISO to a USB drive with Rufus worked.

• Proxmox is the more hands-on option: a full-featured virtualization platform for running virtual machines and containers. The presenter describes it as a strong open-source alternative to VMware for many use cases, including homelabs.

  • Proxmox offers more control and helps users learn how systems work, but requires more learning.
  • For running Docker, the guidance is to use a virtual machine rather than install Docker directly on the Proxmox host.
  • Community installation scripts can simplify homelab setups, but the presenter does not recommend them for production systems.

These tools are not presented as one all-in-one solution. Users can combine services for photos, documents, media, backups, home automation, and other needs.

Hardware and upgrade paths

The hardware examples illustrate a wide range of budgets and capabilities:

• Recycled Dell business PCs can run basic homelab services. Limitations may include weak power supplies, little RAM, few SATA connections, and limited drive space. The presenter suggests considering larger desktop or tower models when expansion matters.
• DIY microATX builds offer more flexibility. An AM5 system is one example, while older platforms such as X79 are still useful for many homelab workloads.
• Minisforum systems offer compact, powerful options, though some are expensive and may have limited drive or expansion capacity. The MS-A2 and MS-02 Ultra are discussed, with the latter noted for its expansion slots.
• Used enterprise GPUs, including older NVIDIA V100 cards, can still support local AI workloads, though software support and compatibility matter. A 16 GB Intel Arc B50 is another option for tasks such as local video analysis.

The presenter also demonstrates Nerdware single-slot GPU conversion kits for the Intel B50 and NVIDIA SFF 4000, which allow these cards to fit in more compact cases. The SFF 4000 conversion is said to provide about 5% more GPU performance by keeping the fan’s power draw separate from the GPU’s power budget. The kits require physical installation and appropriate cooling; Nerdware also offers fans designed to connect to certain Minisforum motherboards.

Guides, reviews, and community resources

• Separate Minisforum MS-A2 and MS-02 Ultra reviews are mentioned.
• Level1Techs has existing Proxmox tutorials and write-ups, including material for people moving from VMware.
• A Frigate how-to is mentioned. The presenter warns that setup has several pitfalls, especially when configuring GPU-based video analysis.
• Previous videos cover M.2 adapters for adding SATA connections.
• A separate build video covers the high-end Cooler Master system.
• The presenter recommends the community-maintained open-source software list on the forum, attributed to a community member identified as Vivvante.
• The video also previews a community focus on sharing homelab projects and how-tos, including dashboards and self-hosted services.

Main speaker and sources

• Wendell — Presenter and primary source of the hardware demonstrations, software evaluations, and recommendations.
• Level1Techs community and forum — Cited for project sharing, guides, and homelab advice.
• Vivvante — Credited with maintaining a curated open-source software list.
• Product and community resources mentioned — Figo OS, HexOS/TrueNAS, Proxmox, Nerdware, and the Proxmox community-scripts project.