2026-09-10

Jeff Geerling's latest project is a proper conversation starter: a fully functional homelab network that fits inside a carry-on bag. The full write-up is on his blog and it's worth a read if you've ever fancied a portable lab for demos, travel, or just because you can.

The build leans on compact, low-power hardware — small form factor machines, a travel-friendly switch, and careful cable management to keep everything tidy and TSA-proof. It's the kind of setup that appeals to anyone who does on-site work, runs workshops, or wants a self-contained test environment away from the main rack.

Why homelabbers should care

Portable labs aren't new, but Geerling's approach is practical rather than gimmicky. He focuses on gear that actually runs services — not just a Pi blinking LEDs. If you travel for work or want a second environment for destructive testing without risking your main setup, the parts list is a solid starting point.

The obvious caveat: cramming networking kit into luggage means compromises on compute power and storage. This isn't replacing a proper rack. It's a complement — or a fun project if you fancy the challenge.

Worth nicking for your own build

The trickiest part of any portable lab is keeping cables short, tidy, and reliable. A decent 240W USB-C Fast-Charging & Data Cable – Braided, LED Indicator helps power USB-C devices without adding bulk. For portable storage, an M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure – USB-C 10Gbps with Magnetic Closure lets you carry fast NVMe storage externally — handy for swapping images or running quick backups on the move. And if you're going headless (you probably are in a carry-on), an MS2131 HDMI Capture Card – 1080p Video & Audio for Headless Servers and a Tri-Fold Bluetooth Keyboard – Wireless Foldable for Headless Servers take up almost no space and save you when SSH isn't cooperating.

Give the full build a look and steal whatever fits your use case. Not every lab needs a 42U rack.