TerraMaster D8 Hybrid: Available on Kickstarter on May 7 - kck.st/3Uwv9xG -- Products to build the rack -- Nave Point 12U Server Rack: amzn.to/49CFagO Rack Mount Power Supply: amzn.to/4aTaIQE USB Charging Station: amzn.to/4cMFxIy 2U Shelves (14” deep): amzn.to/3TWgDh1 1U Shelves (10” deep): amzn.to/49A7wZj TP-Link 24 Port Ethernet Switch: amzn.to/49FuUV3 BV-Tech 18 Port PoE Switch: amzn.to/43TOJa5 Patch Panel amzn.to/43UQ3ta Keystone Couplers (white): amzn.to/3JiVqcq Keystone Couplers (blue): amzn.to/3TOmSDq 2ft Patch Cables: amzn.to/3Ugh5bt 1ft Patch Cables: amzn.to/3JeRwRN 6in Patch Cables: amzn.to/3Wf1j23 Cable Clips: amzn.to/3WgLOpY Bulk Cat5e cable: amzn.to/4aVMO7j RJ45 Crimp Tool Kit: amzn.to/4cXmo6I RJ45 Pass Through Connectors: amzn.to/3JfnpJN -- Products on the Rack -- SmartThings Hub: amzn.to/3QgLofL Ecowitt Hub: amzn.to/3xYwQe8 Ecowitt Hub + Weather Station: amzn.to/3W6fOVJ Aqara M2 Hub: amzn.to/3WaED2Q Zimaboard 832: amzn.to/3w6MO5v USB C to A Cable (to connect D8 Hybrid to ZimaBoard): amzn.to/4azkA2k Samsung nVMe 1TB Drive: amzn.to/43TIvXP WD 4 TB HDDs: amzn.to/3TUMtL9 Hubitat Elevation C8: amzn.to/3W5M1wl Pironman Case: amzn.to/3UvmxYb Raspberry Pi 4B: amzn.to/49Rk3HT Eufy HomeBase 3: amzn.to/4d8n5KI Eufy Cameras + HomeBase: amzn.to/3xInT8K

The TPLink DECO mesh system is amazing, and way more customizable

Feels good to have it all organized, doesn't it? I've rearranged mine so many times and I'm grateful for the rackstuds! You did a good job & it all looks nice. I did get a brush panel for mine, in order to organize my Reolink POE camera cables. It's easy to get caught up with all the options. Like you, I ordered/returned several things before I had everything I needed. I bought the rackpath 12u cabinet. Thanks for sharing and take care my friend!

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Yes, it feels great! Thank you for the kind words. Ok, you've convinced me, I need to return my patch panels for a brush panel 😂

Word of caution, I think the cat5 cable you bought is actually CCA, aka copper clad aluminum. It’s total and complete trash, I bought a box due to its price and didn’t realize what it was until a year or so later when I started having issues here and there. I wouldn’t have thought it would have mattered since the wire was all inside in climate controlled areas, wrong, if I were you I’d throw that stuff in the trash and replace all you made from it or at least mark them all so when weird things happen you know which cables to start replacing then.

@wilsonlspacheco

Ай бұрын

I agree, always Cat6 or Cat6a, here at Portugal🇵🇹, our Telecom Authority ANACOM a few years ago, banned the installation of cables lower than Cat6 and only 100% copper cables are allowed. We have a regulation called ITED Manual, you can consult to know more about our legislation and regulation in telecom infraestructures.

@AM93000

Ай бұрын

Yup agree. AVOID CCA AT ALL COST

as someone who has built out data centers and a home-labber myself, great job!! be careful with pass through rj45's. seen them melt POE switches a few times. make sure no copper is exposed

Consistently amazed by your content - appreciate sharing your smart home journey ✌

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Wow thanks sir!! 🙏

Great job!, it looks very clean and efficient, saludos from Colombia!

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much!

If you have access below or above the main floors of the house via basement, crawlspace or attic you can run Ethernet. It's not complicated, but it can be a huge pain, but also rewarding. Nice job on the rack!

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Thanks for the tips! I don't have access everywhere, but i do under all of the bedrooms so maybe I'll give it a shot!

So helpful. Thanks 🙏 for a great vid and all the info.

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Thanks!

You should take the time to change out all of your 5e for 6a. That suppers speeds up to 10Gb to give you a more future proof setup. You should also look into utilizing the coax in your house to hardwire your rooms via MoCA adapters. There are some great ones that can push speeds up to 2.5Gbps. I’ve used these and they work great.

@makeitworktech

13 күн бұрын

I'll be doing that with 6 cable! Hmmm, never heard of that option!

Great work man! Loved the video

@makeitworktech

26 күн бұрын

Appreciate it!

Looks great

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Thanks!!

For a wifi replacement, I just bought the Asus ZenWifi Pro ET12 and it's fantastic. Extremely fast, has 2.5Gb ports on each unit (1 for WAN, 1 for LAN, then 2x1Gb ports for LAN), and supports Wifi 6E. I got it primarily for the load of features in the Asus firmware (VLAN, firewall, etc etc) until I move over to OPNsense, and to use as a wireless backhaul from my cable modem at the front of the house to my 16-port switch in the back of the house with my server/homelab stuff. Sure beats my old Powerline backhaul!

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

You got me with the 2nd half...I don't speak network engineer haha But the first part sounds good! I'll have to check that one out

@TheOwninGuy

Ай бұрын

Would suggest OPNSense over PFsense. Since pfsense is owned by Netgate. Lots of issues and since the latest versions I’ve got lots of issues. The community of OPNsense and the guys themself are much nicer to home labbbers. Also would suggest moving to Home Assistant and maybe VMWare or proxmox to run it on a VM. I do that too and in case of errors just rollback a Snapshot. Also home assistant has Docker inside. Therefore you can run the UniFi controller from there and just buy the U6+ AP’s only. Saves you a few hundred bucks :)

Subscribed because the set up is sick looking

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Hey thanks!! 🙏

I’ve been using TP-Link Deco XE75 pro WiFi Mesh system and it’s brilliant.

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Yeah, I was looking at that one! Thanks, I'll have to check it out

i like to use TPlink omada access points for wireless POE

If looking for a wifi replacement, I would consider using access points (APs). You can pick up unifi APs for ~$100 and they will make use of your POE switch. Nice job on the rack and +1 for the rack studs.

@makeitworktech

10 күн бұрын

Thanks! So I can just buy a couple and start using them with my current setup?

Thanks for sharing.

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Tp-link mesh wifi is the best. I use it for some years and no issues at all.

nice work. thanks for sharing

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

No problem!

2nd patch panel above the switch, 12 ports on top and 12 below would have eliminated the stretch on your patch cables.

Unifi all the way for you networking needs!

Hi Aron as always great video 💪 Your detailed reviews are awesome 🤩 I have a suggesting, to replace smart power plug supply your rack with something more reliable (better relay) like sonoff POWR3. This small power plugs relays are calculated to extreme and when start failing might damage Your expensive equipment 😉

Try TP-Link DECO just for small places/small home - up to 2 bedrooms apartment. Omada for a bigger house with garage and yard, but you'll need a POE switch to power your wi-fi devices and probably if you want to exchange your cameras in the future, you can use POE to power them. Considering the CAT5E cables, try to replace them at least on your rack, connecting your devices such as NAS and e-security stuff on your switch with a good CAT6E or even 7... Between your off-rack devices is just ok, especially if you not using multi gigabyte devices...

it is super clean but if you wanted it to look nicer sneaking 1-2U of horizontal wire management that is not very proud would hide a ton of the wire if thats the look you were interested in. sometimes the small loops like that look and work nice aesthetically also, beautiful design well done, and awesome showing people how

@makeitworktech

17 күн бұрын

Good suggestion! And thank you!

Asus ZenWifi is a really good mesh system. Gives you lots of control and tuning options.

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Awesome I'll check it out

@oneamongmany1392

Ай бұрын

+1 For Asus zenwifi/ai-mesh. Really like the fact you can mesh different models, and the range on the units is really good. I bought an xd4 mini originally just to use as an AP in my lounge - still got really good 5ghz signal in my bedroom, 2 floors up!

@Matt_UKTX

27 күн бұрын

+2 for Asus Ai-Mesh. Amazing... The best two options are Asus and and UniFi, but the latter is more expensive and may be overkill.

Prior to diving into the Ubiquiti rabbit hole, we used an EERO mesh system to cover roughly 4300 square feet of our house; it was really easy to set up and other than initially interfering with our wireless soundbar, I don't recall having any other issues or dead spots with it.

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Ok cool. I may switch to fiber and they offer a free Eero mesh system if I do

Well done. I've been lucky enough with my own home automation networking not being too challenging seeing as I administer networks and design and install them as a career for the last 30-ish years. From that perspective I'll say you did a great job.Make sure you've got decent airflow around that gear so small circulators would be a good addition.

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Thanks, good to have a pro's opinion on the setup! I do have some fans I may be able to use

Good job, I need to do this too.

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Thanks! Fun project for sure

I feel the google mesh pain because I'm in a similar situation with Eero. Frankly the Eero has worked great, but I wish I didn't have to use the app and I wish I could do VLANs. Everybody tells me Unifi is the way to go, but I haven't taken the plunge yet; the Eero is working and hasn't annoyed me enough that it's worth the expense and trouble of switching yet. I also wish I could run ethernet everywhere. The previous owners put drywall ceilings in the basement so I can't just easily run wires from the basement up into the rooms above. I've been making do with MOCA over the coax that is run to nearly every room, and that's actually performed surprisingly well, but the adapters are not cheap. I would like to run ethernet up from the basement into the attic, and then down into the rooms that way... but our attic is so shallow and there is so much insulation it is basically impossible to navigate up there. I really don't know how I'm going to do it. Also, being in Canada, I want to be careful about punching holes up into the attic that allow warm moist air to flow up and condense in the attic. I'd be open to any ideas anyone has.

I am getting omada network ready for my new house 😊

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

That's great!!

The AVM Fritz!Box Mesh is very good

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Ok thanks!

I hated the Rack Studs, seemed everything sagged a little, even patch panels. I much prefer the huge PIA cage nuts

Ubiquity Unifi is the best router, switches, AP, and surveillance out there!

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

But so expensive!!

@bjoremo

Ай бұрын

@@makeitworktech yes, but I have no regrets. Expanded over time to spread out the costs.

@TheLastFrame_

Ай бұрын

+1 for Unifi Had an ASUS Router previously, but after it started making issues, I switched to Unifi and omg I never had a better router dashboard or more options to configure. It's just rock solid, super customizable, but also easy to work with. Never going back to consumer grade devices.

I use a Synology router and APs throughout the house.

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

I'll have to check them out!

Nice video. Definitely got some tips for my own build. Why 5e cables though instead of 6?

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Thanks! Not sure, I Guess I should have gone with 6. Maybe I'll change them out

Best practice is to use factory patch cables. As strange as it might seem, cable termination is not as reliable on the long run, particularly if you're not doing it day in day out.

TP LINK BE19000 is awesome.

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Ok thanks!

Great job, everything is bolted down so when the house catches fire, you will be sure not be able to save that data..😂😂😂 also great job on consolidating the most costly equipment in one place for a thief..nice..your quite generous..😂😂

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Haha, good thing i have a few layers of self-defense! The "thief" won't be leaving once he enters the house 😂😂😂

@jujjuj7676

Ай бұрын

Just checking....good job..👍😉🙂

@2h4

29 күн бұрын

If your house catches fire you shouldn't be trying to save your stuff. Your stuff is replaceable but you are not

@jujjuj7676

28 күн бұрын

@@2h4 hence why you make it EASY to remove...its called thinking ahead..😉👍 ( but yes most people don't think a head and just run, I'm not most people)

Looks like you used 558-A instead of 558-B for the termination of your CAT cable. I would highly recommend using 568-B on anything in the future.

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Yeah thanks, that was just a test cable and I got that feedback when I posted a picture on Twitter. Thanks 😁

Those are probably injection molded I see the injection point. 3D printed things have lines at the printer builds up the part.

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Good eye!

Oh no. Why did you use cat5?? You are limiting your future speeds. Always use cat6

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Yeah probably shoulda. Easy switch later on

Helpful video! I am doing a remodel install of a rack but unfortunately, I only have a small closet to use for my IT closet. I believe a rack the same size as yours or one similar to it will fit. My issue is ventilation. I do not want to put a louvered door on the closet. I do have access to a room on the side of the closet and could put an air duct in the closet right now but I was not sure if that would be too much or not. Any suggestions on best way to vent it either somehow around the door to the closet or out the side through a wall into the adjacent room?

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

I don't have any specific knowledge on ventilation, but I actually do have a PC cabinet that is vented into A wall between two studs, then on the other side of the wall I have two vents that allow the air to exit into the room on the other side

@johnnyreeves1990

Ай бұрын

That sounds like what I am needing too. Can you tell me more about how you did that? What equipment you used?

Hello my friend, good job, you are big "هطف" in this world thank you

@makeitworktech

14 күн бұрын

Thanks

Makes a change not to see unifi kit everywhere 🙂 having said that I am thinking of ditching my Draytek and Netgear kit and moving over... 😱 Aren't brush panels just cable management and completely different things from patch panels... or am i missing something?

This is a cool video, but for the TerraMaster what was the thinking behind not including a NIC on it. It's not really a NAS without the network part of network attached storage.

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Thanks! I'm not sure, I guess just low cost for expanding your NAS?

I have the deco m9. I've had it for a few years but it works for my home needs. Just curious what the benefit of having a brush panel vs patch panel would be.

@makeitworktech

20 күн бұрын

Brush panel doesn't require these short little patch cables, and you can space out the cables in any way you want. Just would look a lot cleaner IMO

Are you using a UPS attached to your rack? (If so, or even if not,) do you have a recommendation of a UPS?

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

No, but I should! I'll look to see what's out there

I had a nest wifi pro system and we absolutely hated it because it randomly would go offline and the pings were super high. Once we sent it back we got a TP link wifi 6e mesh system and it's been perfect. I'm pretty sure the model we got is the AXE5400.

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Thank you! I have been having the same issues for a few years! I was considering TP Link, so I may try that

@Jensen871

Ай бұрын

@@makeitworktech As soon as we set it up it has not given us one issue. The coverage is amazing and the speeds are so much better then the nest system.

@pat9080

Ай бұрын

The AXE5400 is an awesome mesh system. I got mine at Costco last year. Switched from the google nest as well. Trying to get away from google as well as Amazon. Wi-Fi 7 is too expensive and this is the best priced 6e system. Especially if you are only using gig or 2.5 gig switches

@Jensen871

Ай бұрын

@@pat9080 Yeah it's been perfect so glad we switched.

Do you have a battery backup for your rack? Or are you planning on getting one?

@makeitworktech

20 күн бұрын

I didn't want to spend the $ this time around, but I'm planning a future video to upgrade. Like you said, I'll be adding a UPS and also hopefully a better WiFi system and NAS

With that cabling that you did yourself, does it work out much cheaper or not??? I will need to run Ethernet cabling in an older place for POE cameras, etc. and would be interested to know what way to go.

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

It's nicer to have caBling the exact length you want, so I can be cheaper if you have a lot you want to do yourself. It takes a lot more time of course

If you didn't pay for the DAS it's a good setup but tbh if you already have a Zima Board don't buy a DAS guys. You can just conect your Harddrive to the SATA Ports and get a Breakout Board for the PCI-Express Port for more drives. Its certainly a bit more complex than just buying a device, but this option here would be a lot cheaper and more future proof. There a great tutorials out there for Zima Board NAS Setups and TrueNas

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

So would that be using TrueNAS software on the Zimaboard to handle a RAID setup? Maybe I'll try it with the ZimaBlade

What mounts did you use for the tplink switch?

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

The ones it came with!

Aaron …. I cannot wait to get you into the ubiquiti Unifi love-hate relationship for your network. 😊😄 You will love the GUI and and options.

@rodneycrosslin4405

Ай бұрын

My Unfi are the cats meow

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

But the $$$! So expensive, but they look really nice!

@ahale1987

Ай бұрын

@@makeitworktech @makeitworktech Their gear is expensive but it is also rock solid. I am already invested with 4 smaller switches and an AP (I just need a bigger PoE switch, a second AP, and one final smaller switch), but if I were going to start over today, I would look at TP-Link Omada gear. If they're as good as they look, then they would be a great value vs Unifi kit.

Run Unifi for Wifi and run some MOCA adapters so you'll have ethernet in each room...I'm sure cable is already run in each room

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Unfortunately no cable in each room, but that would be cool!

Switch to TP-Link OMADA network equipment and AP's.

@makeitworktech

23 күн бұрын

Thank ill try Deco to start, but TP Link seems the most popular in the comments

What's glaringly missing is the ups.

@makeitworktech

26 күн бұрын

yeah, I will be adding that!

Ubiquiti is the way to go for Wi-Fi.

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Noted!

Look at TP-Link Omada since you already have a TP link switch

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Will do, thanks!!

Unifi Dream Maschin Pro

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Noted!

@TheOwninGuy

Ай бұрын

As an network and system engineer I can tell you to don’t do that. We removed them from lots of customers since they break down. Also they don’t support if your ISP has 2 separate VLANS for TV and internet. You have to built custom configs and still no support since the uplink may contain only 1 vlan. Also the support stinks… took 8 weeks to send us new ones. I went for hosting the Controller locally and just installing AP U6+ through the house. Also watch if you have airplay. NanoHD can mess with that so took them out few weeks ago. This saves you some bucks and is fun to do. Also would be happy to help!

Hi, would be greatful if you can let me know how do you connect HDMI and usb of nvr to tv?

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

USB unconnected directly to NVR. HDMI to the monitor

@gs030201050

Ай бұрын

@@makeitworktech oh.. my monitor and network rack are there rooms away. Guess I will shift the NVR closer to the monitor. Not finding a way to extend usb over lan :( Thanks for the reply

Ubiquiti UniFi AP

curiosity: power consumption ?

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

51 watts pretty consistently

You should have used at least cat6a to be future-proof … but also your patchpanel. For a switch I would used at least 2,5gbit with POE+

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Thanks, noted!

I never understood why people use keystone couplers. Just terminate a keystone. If you get the correct tool they’re actually faster to do than the male ends

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

But they're so fun!

One word... Ubiquiti

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

That's what I'm hearing! 😁

So... what was the point of the patch panel if you DIDN'T have a bunch of cables running into your rack? They're supposed to be used with regular keystone jacks that you punch down into, and then then front facing port patches to your switches. Where's the other end going? Another word of advice, LABEL EVERYTHING. You're not going to remember every single cable in your rack Label them at the both ends of the cables, and definitely on your patch panel as well. Also, invest in a roll of double sided velcro. It's the best way to organize cables and not use zip ties. NEVER use zip ties. They hurt the wire, and can be challenging to cut without damaging the wires the contain, if you need to move the zip tie for any reason. Velcro you can just rip off, and use elsewhere, over and over again. Highly recommended.

@sgtm7

Ай бұрын

They make patch designed to be used with feed thru connectors, rather than having to do punch down. It is the type I have.

Why no UPS???

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

That will be for v2! Haha I wasn't sure which too buy and things were getting a bit expensive. You have a recommendation?

@PeterHonig.

Ай бұрын

@@makeitworktech A tried-and-true brand is APC. I don't know if your NAS supports this, but Synology NAS units have a USB port to interface with the one on the UPS to detect when to shut down elegantly. If yours does the same, then make sure that your UPS has that feature. You should first tally up the power usage of all your devices, and use that to select the capacity of the power backup. Also, I would recommend getting a model that has replaceable batteries, as it much more economical to do that rather than buy a whole new unit. Most batteries last at least 5 years, after which their capacity begins to decline.

You need Ubiquiti

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

So I hear!

First

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Mmm

Amazon eero try that I’ve got and it’s brilliant

@makeitworktech

Ай бұрын

Ok, I might! Thanks!