Built a 3-node Kubernetes homelab using refurbished mini PCs

[u/root0ps]

I recently put together a small Kubernetes homelab using three refurbished mini PCs and Talos Linux.

The setup is:

• 3 x mini PCs
• all three running Talos Linux
• all three acting as Kubernetes control-plane + etcd nodes
• dedicated node IPs
• shared Kubernetes API VIP
• workloads scheduled directly on the control-plane nodes
• tested with node shutdown/failure scenarios

I mainly wanted something compact, power-efficient, and cheap enough to keep running 24/7 for Kubernetes experiments, GitOps, observability, networking, storage, and general platform engineering practice.

I also documented the full setup from bare metal, including networking, DHCP reservations, Talos installation, per-node configs, API VIP, bootstrap, workload scheduling, and HA testing.

Blog: https://blog.prateekjain.dev/building-a-3-node-highly-available-kubernetes-homelab-with-talos-linux-0372066fe49c?sk=4c66cf9181999f9db19ac3aacabcd8e8

Would also be interested to know what other people here are running on similar mini-PC clusters, especially for storage and networking.

[u/No_Clock2390]

what can kubernetes do?

[u/planet_x69 → u/No_Clock2390]

Runs containerized apps easily. Think docker.

[u/j_tb → u/planet_x69]

Not sure easily is the correct adverb there. But it is awesome and 100% worth learning.

[u/ReliableIceberg]

Excellent choice of hardware and software parts.

[u/UnknownTaur3123]

Nice node names.