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SYSTEMS / BUILD STORY

Evolving

The ZedLab Cluster.

Seven nodes. One endlessly curious lab.

ProxmoxVirtual machinesLinuxUbiquitiSynology
The earlier mini PC cluster connected to a network switch
From the archive: the earlier six-node build, before the cluster grew to seven nodes.
Earlier ZedLab hardware and cabling
A closer look at the original lab hardware.
The Synology DS220+ NAS in the earlier lab setup
The Synology NAS alongside the original lab hardware.
CLUSTER7 nodes
APPROACHLearn by building
NETWORKUbiquiti 24-port switch

01 / THE BUILD

A place to build, break, and learn.

ZedLab began with a simple idea: reading about systems was not enough. I wanted to run them. What started as a collection of small computers has grown into a seven-node Proxmox cluster and a place to explore infrastructure hands-on.

02 / THE BUILD

More than one job per machine.

Proxmox changed how I thought about hardware. A physical machine can host multiple operating systems, services, and test environments. The cluster makes it possible to experiment without dedicating an entire computer to every new idea.

03 / THE BUILD

The pieces around the compute.

The lab now uses a Ubiquiti 24-port switch. Storage has included a Synology DS220+ NAS for media, backups, and shared data. Mini PCs and server hardware bring different strengths; learning how they interact is part of the project.

04 / THE BUILD

A lab that keeps changing.

The original write-up documented six mini PCs. The latest build notes confirm seven nodes in the cluster. Monitoring, media, a personal cloud, and offline knowledge tools are giving that foundation new jobs.

THE TAKEAWAYA collection of computers becomes much more interesting when you start thinking about it as a system.

STILL CURIOUS

What’s next?

Keep developing the monitoring view and use the cluster as the foundation for the next experiment.

Have a thought on this build?
KEEP EXPLORINGZedMon