My fun project is building out an automated lab using Hyper-V, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT), UI++ from CMFTW as my base framework. 

• Hyper-V where the Virtual Machines live
• MDT where a task sequence lives that installs and configures VMs
• UI++ the front-end that pops-up at the start of the MDT process to allow one to choose their own adventure.

The fun part is then building out capabilities within this framework

• Build a domain controller and apply group policy
• Build a web server with IIS ready to go
• Build a SQL Server with SQL pre-installed
• Build a Client System with Win10 or Win11
• Have specific software installed or files copied
• Turn on or off certain security features
• Build an SCCM environment

The purpose of all this is to continue exploring my passion for building infrastructure, automation, security and all things configuration management.

Sadly, I’ve not focused my time on all this passion too heavily this year yet as my time is being pulled into my other hobbies like my kiddos, back country backpacking, and my pursuit of exercise and diet. 

• kiddos - I’ve got a fun family, including 7 months, 5, 7 and 9 years old. Girls are the youngest and the boys the oldest. We love to play chase, go nuts at the playground and explore nature together.
• back country backpacking - I’ve had so much fun finding new gear and taking my first 26.2 mile through hike around Georgetown Lake in Texas.
• exercise and diet - About two years ago I started getting up at 4:28am five days a week to hit a CrossFit workout. Five month’s ago I started a heavy interest in running 4-6 times a week and most recently started exploring a dietitians recommendations to meet the demands of my new lifestyle.  

Despite my lack of attention to my home lab, I’m going to hunker down and get some content up. For part one check-out my blog at https://www.wiredjack.com -- This very post is holding me accountable to finally put more than one post up. hahaha. Keep me honest folks!

Jack

Thanks for sharing , Jack! I envy how you’re able to wake up at the very specific time of 4:28 am most days. Best of luck on your automated home lab - that’s pretty awesome! 

I am currently trying to build a small “nerd cave”! I have a few raspberry pi’s and I am turning one into a NES emulator  and the other will hopefully one day be the backbone to a planner type display! Trying hard to tear down the walls etc to get things cabled and hung! The wife is hapy/not happy with all the stuff I have to buy lol!!

A nerd cave!! It sounds like a lot of work, but so cool! You should share a pic with us once it’s done (if you’re comfortable)! 

I will for sure!

Hello all! I’m a Systems Admin and have been using Automox for about 6 months now and loving it. 

I earned my Automox Level 3 certification this month.

For projects, I’m going to claim starting a degree in Cloud in my spare time is my main focus. 

A really really cool project, and more fun than college is…. LEGOS!! 

Hey @Evan Cowan, nice to meet you! We’re glad your Automox experience is going well.

Best of luck on getting your Cloud degree - that’s an awesome goal! I’ll definitely send a Lego set your way. Look out for a DM from me! 

Hi Everyone,

I’m a Sr Device Admin and been using Automox for the past 4 years, got all 3 certificates and always really enjoyed using Automox to manage our fleet of 2k+ endpoints. Regarding hobbies I am currently using AI to upscale old 80’s/90’s shows and movies, its amazing seeing what AI brings to the future.

Thanks,

That is a very fun way to use AI! Great to meet you! 

I’ve been working on scaling up my home lab with some new virtual machines running on a Proxmox Hypervisor that I’ve set up on these adorable little Dell OptiPlex Micro desktops. My pride and joy of these VMs is a recursive DNS server running pi-hole & unbound. I’ve got it linked up with my dd-wrt router so that it provides speed boosts and advertisement/tracker filtering across my whole home LAN.

Lego Otto is wonderful and I fully intend to set him up in my cubicle at work to make the other sysadmins jealous.

This is awesome!! A Lego Otto set is coming your way @cakeisnotlies - check your messages!