01 / entering the lab

iCommish
Labs

Infrastructure • Security • AI • Automation

Real hardware, useful systems, and the notes that make the next build easier.

Enter the lab ↘Follow the build
live build / in progress
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02 / the premise

No showroom. No theory.

A technology lab that stays in motion.

Servers get configured, cables get rerouted, software gets tested, and old machines get another chance. The useful part is what gets learned along the way.

06systems in rotation
24/7curious, not perfect
∞things left to test
03 / field reportshardware in rotation

The workbench

Gear with a job to do.

Practical notes for the rack, the repair bench, and the home network. Affiliate links are marked; recommendations stay tied to real lab use.

01 / storage basereview note

Synology DS225+

A quiet home for backups, self-hosted services, Docker experiments, and the files that should not live on a laptop forever.

My takeStart with storage you can trust before adding more compute.
Check current price ↗
02 / computereview note

Raspberry Pi 5 / 8GB

Small-server energy for Pi-hole, dashboards, monitoring, and learning Linux without a giant footprint.

Best whenYou want one more service without another full-size machine.
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03 / interfacereview note

ESP32 touch display

A compact status screen for dashboards, lab indicators, automation panels, and making data visible.

Best whenThe useful information deserves a physical place in the room.
Check current price ↗
04 / pocket labreview note

M5Stack Cardputer

Portable scripting, network utilities, hardware experiments, and field notes in a small ESP32-S3 computer.

Best whenYou want a physical interface for a quick idea, not another tab.
Check current price ↗
05 / repair benchUnaMela

Mini electric precision screwdriver set

140 pieces, precision bits, five torque settings, four lights, and a compact driver for the small jobs that never stay small.

Watch forUse low torque on electronics and finish delicate fasteners by hand.
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06 / network edgereview note

TP-Link BE6500 Wi-Fi 7

Dual 2.5Gbps ports, USB 3.0, and enough headroom for a busy home lab with newer clients and local transfers.

Watch forWi-Fi 7 pays off when the clients and wiring can actually use it.
Check current price ↗

Editorial notes are written from the supplied product details and intended lab use. Affiliate links may support future builds.

04 / the stacksoftware in rotation

Software I use

The invisible part of the build.

Local models, automation, assistants, and the tools that turn a pile of hardware into a system useful on a Tuesday afternoon.

actual tools in rotation

Useful tools.
Not a wishlist.

Ollama, Open WebUI, n8n, ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity stay here because they solve real problems in the lab.

OllamaOpen WebUIn8nChatGPTClaudePerplexity
05 / affiliate toolnot part of the software stack

Affiliate pick

StoreClaw AI

AI-powered workflows for store management, SEO, product content, marketing, and the repetitive work around ecommerce.

StoreClaw is a tool I can recommend as an affiliate, not software I claim is running in my lab stack.

Visit StoreClaw ↗
06 / lab missionreuse / repair / rebuild

Give old tech a second life

Keep useful hardware moving.

We buy and responsibly recycle desktops, laptops, and select networking gear. Working systems help fund future lab projects; the rest is refurbished or recycled responsibly.

Get a quote ↗
07 / public channelfollow the journey

Follow the build

Watch the lab evolve.

Hardware reviews, software reviews, and the occasional cable that refuses to cooperate.