Build the network before the rack
Start with the budget 2.5GbE upgrade guide if the existing Cat5e is staying in the walls. It separates the links that benefit from multi-gig from the clients that can remain on gigabit. If the backbone needs more headroom, the 10GbE SFP+ switch guide compares the affordable fanless and quiet options. Add a PoE switch sized for cameras and access points only after calculating the real power budget.
For compute, the best mini PCs for Proxmox guide covers used office nodes through higher-end compact systems. The budget NAS guide focuses on storage, Plex transcoding, and self-hosted apps rather than brand loyalty.
Finish with the physical and power layers. My quiet 10-inch mini-rack build shows how I fit the network and servers into a small living-space-friendly rack. The UPS sizing guide for a NAS and home server covers runtime, automatic shutdown, and why the biggest battery is not automatically the right choice.
