Hardware Layer

This is the layer 0 of our stack. It is the hardware layer. This layer is about the physical infrastructure where the other layer build on top of it.

This is the layer that I know the least about.

Here you are presented with a choice:

• You can either build your own infrastructure. and gather all the piece of hardware you need.
• Or you can delegate this task to a cloud provider.

Of course an hybrid solution is also possible. Ideally if you can afford it, you should have your own infrastructure and use a cloud provider as a backup.

Let’s briefly discuss the pros and cons of each solution.

Build your own infrastructure:

• full ownership of the hardware
• cheper in the long run

Use a cloud provider:

• no need to manage the hardware
• no initial investment or very little

My suggestion (and is also the route I am taking) is to start with a cloud provider just to grasp the concepts and get your feet wet. Then when you are confident of your crafts and can afford the initial investment.

Build your own infrastructure is task that require long planning and less execution becuase of the cost of proper hardware is high. You got less shots to get it right. So you need to plan it carefully. On top of that IT hardware is not usually a market target to consumers but still business. This means many many codes, technical datasheets. And generally speaking not much information about.

While learing the others layers I higly suggest to start lookinhg around at the used market for hardware to get a sense of the cost and the hardware you need and sniff around for good deals.

Let’s see the building blocks that make up this layer.

Building Blocks

Server

The server is the main building block of this layer. It s responsible for the computation of the data.

Storage Server

This server is tailored for storage. It is a server with a lot of storage capacity. It is used to store the data of the users.

Router

Switch

Firewall

Resources

• homelab reddit: this is by far the best place to get a grasp