Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
I've been experimenting with travel routers, but I wanted to take it to the next level by creating a portable homelab that can travel too. In this video, I'll be showing you how I designed and built a 5-inch rack that can hold a Raspberry Pi-based OpenWrt router, a network switch, a NAS with an OLED stats display, and a Docker server.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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Visit my blog for the project write-up - the-diy-life.com/i-built-a-5-portable-raspberry-pi-homelab
Download the 5" Lab Rax 3D Print files - makerworld.com/en/models/2499872-mini-lab-rax-5-server-rack-5u
PURCHASE LINKS
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DFRobot CM4 Router Board - amzn.to/3NeG3qN
Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 - amzn.to/4uh36C3
TPLink Litewave 5 Port Switch - amzn.to/4b3xzus
Raspberry Pi 5 - amzn.to/4bxwexq
Pi 5 Active Cooler - amzn.to/47selO7
Pimoroni NVMe Base - amzn.to/4beIT7c
Pimoroni NVMe Base Duo (optional for 2 drives) - amzn.to/4rgkfsL
Lexar NM620 drive - amzn.to/4ugGZLV
I2C OLED display - amzn.to/4aZkZhl
M3 Brass Inserts - amzn.to/4udMRG5
M3x8mm Button Head Screws - amzn.to/4spV2wY
Tools & Equipment Used:
H2D 3D Printer - bambulab.com
Hakko Soldering iron - amzn.to/4srzW1k
Brass Insert Tool Tips - amzn.to/4bm1deW
USB C Pencil Screwdriver - amzn.to/4lWg5Ec
Some of the above parts are affiliate links. By purchasing products through the above links, you'll be supporting this channel, at no additional cost to you.
CHAPTERS
---------------------------------------------------
00:00 Intro
01:03 Designing The 5" Rack
03:21 Assembly
05:33 Installing The Hardware
06:58 What Can It Do?
If you've got any ideas for Raspberry Pi, Arduino, or other Electronics projects or tutorials you'd like to see, let me know in the comments section.
I've been experimenting with travel routers, but I wanted to take it to the next level by creating a portable homelab that can travel too. In this video, I'll be showing you how I designed and built a 5-inch rack that can hold a Raspberry Pi-based OpenWrt router, a network switch, a NAS with an OLED stats display, and a Docker server.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
---------------------------------------------------
Visit my blog for the project write-up - the-diy-life.com/i-built-a-5-portable-raspberry-pi-homelab
Download the 5" Lab Rax 3D Print files - makerworld.com/en/models/2499872-mini-lab-rax-5-server-rack-5u
PURCHASE LINKS
---------------------------------------------------
DFRobot CM4 Router Board - amzn.to/3NeG3qN
Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 - amzn.to/4uh36C3
TPLink Litewave 5 Port Switch - amzn.to/4b3xzus
Raspberry Pi 5 - amzn.to/4bxwexq
Pi 5 Active Cooler - amzn.to/47selO7
Pimoroni NVMe Base - amzn.to/4beIT7c
Pimoroni NVMe Base Duo (optional for 2 drives) - amzn.to/4rgkfsL
Lexar NM620 drive - amzn.to/4ugGZLV
I2C OLED display - amzn.to/4aZkZhl
M3 Brass Inserts - amzn.to/4udMRG5
M3x8mm Button Head Screws - amzn.to/4spV2wY
Tools & Equipment Used:
H2D 3D Printer - bambulab.com
Hakko Soldering iron - amzn.to/4srzW1k
Brass Insert Tool Tips - amzn.to/4bm1deW
USB C Pencil Screwdriver - amzn.to/4lWg5Ec
Some of the above parts are affiliate links. By purchasing products through the above links, you'll be supporting this channel, at no additional cost to you.
CHAPTERS
---------------------------------------------------
00:00 Intro
01:03 Designing The 5" Rack
03:21 Assembly
05:33 Installing The Hardware
06:58 What Can It Do?
If you've got any ideas for Raspberry Pi, Arduino, or other Electronics projects or tutorials you'd like to see, let me know in the comments section.
