Top Server Builds: 10 VM's you need in your Homelab

If you're building a serious homelab in 2026, these are the 10 VMs you absolutely need. My Homelab Gear: https://www.amazon.com/shop/techwithemilio Let's break down the core server builds that turn a basic home lab into a powerful, production-style environment. Whether you're learning sysadmin skills, preparing for cloud roles, or just want more control over your home infrastructure — these virtual machines will level up your setup. We’ll cover everything from infrastructure essentials like Docker, Active Directory and firewalls, to practical home services like media servers and Home Assistant, plus automation tools like n8n to tie it all together. If you want your homelab to feel like a real enterprise environment (without enterprise pricing), this is the blueprint. Learn n8n - https://youtu.be/0AyrzklOvP0 Setup Hostinger here - https://www.hostinger.com/EMILIO Ensure you use Coupon Code EMILIO STUFF I RECOMMEND ➤ My NAS | Synology DS1621+ - https://amzn.to/3xUl5Wi ➤ My Networking | Ubiquiti - https://amzn.to/4nrX7pg ➤ My Mini PC | Zimablade - https://amzn.to/43IqSuZ ➤ My Hard Drives | WD 26TB - https://amzn.to/4onIlRR ✖️ https://x.com/emilio_tech 🎓 MY TRAINING COURSES 🎓 https://bit.ly/emilio-training My popular courses - ➤ Become an IT Manager - https://bit.ly/TechToManager ➤ Master Cybersecurity - https://bit.ly/cyberemilio ➤ QNAP NAS Administration - https://bit.ly/qnaptraining ➤ Master the Synology NAS - https://bit.ly/LearnSynology ➤ Become a VMware Expert - https://bit.ly/vmware8training ➤ Learn Windows Server 2022 - https://bit.ly/server-2022 WHAT I USE - ➤ Intel NUC Mini PC - https://amzn.to/3VJuer9 ➤ Ubiquiti WiFi - https://amzn.to/3X0fR4x ➤ Raspberry Pi - https://amzn.to/4oJEtuf ➤ Server Rack Mini | DeskPi - https://amzn.to/4nHpNLq ➤ Protectli Vault | Mini PC - https://amzn.to/3JmDD7N ➤ NAS 6-Bay | Synology DS1621+ - https://amzn.to/3xUl5Wi ➤ NAS Rack | QNAP Rack - https://amzn.to/44frTdb ➤ 34" Curved Wide Monitor - https://amzn.to/4aL6zyF ➤ Digital Camera | Sony A7C - https://amzn.to/3VVt4KB ➤ Shure SM7B Mic - https://amzn.to/3MjPRgc ➤ Speakers | Presonus XT - https://amzn.to/49XH2RH 👉 Full List of my Gear: https://www.amazon.com/shop/techwithemilio 🔔 If you love tech, you don't want to miss the latest tech updates! Hit that subscribe and stay tuned for honest reviews, tech tutorials, and all tech insights. https://www.youtube.com/@TechWithEmilio/?sub_confirmation=1 🔗 Stay Connected With Me. 👉 Twitter (X): https://x.com/emilio_tech 👉 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilioaguero/ 👉 Website: https://www.emilioaguero.net/ 📩 For Business Inquiries: contact@emilioaguero.net Check Out My Other Channels - 🍜 Love Eating https://www.youtube.com/@EatingWithEmilio  Love My Mac https://www.youtube.com/@mactechwithemilio 🚶Walking the Globe https://www.youtube.com/@WeLikeWalking ============================= 🎬 Recommended Playlists 👉 IT Career vids - Tech People 101 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX2PHIbcBY0Fx3u75khl6JDDNaLAFKY80 👉 Awesome Tech Videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX2PHIbcBY0HxaJGnCEF_gC4aAUH70HpC 🎬 WATCH MY OTHER VIDEOS: 👉 Home Lab Servers: Big Rack Vs Small Desktop – Pros & Cons Explained https://youtu.be/kVSYefOVjTY 👉 Future Of IT Support: Key Role Changes And Trends In 2025 https://youtu.be/F9YugTFR-mo 👉 How to Spot and Avoid Scams in 2024 – Stay Safe Online! https://youtu.be/8-IUIX8nol8 👉 Protect Yourself From Online Scammers And How Hackers Target You Online – Stay Safe! https://youtu.be/V_YAI-WXjMc 👉 Top WiFi Settings To Boost Speed & Security – Must-Know Tips! https://youtu.be/nl1Bcq2x93c ============================= 🔎 Related Phrases: Homelab Server Organization, Rack Server Setup For Beginners, Buying Server Rack, Setting Up Server Rack At Home, Home Server Enthusiasts, Complete Server Build Guide, Home Server Processor Selection, Low Power Server Build, Eco-Mode Motherboard Server, Energy-Efficient Home Server, Server Power Consumption, Diy Server Build, Power-Efficient Server Hardware, Home Server Power Optimization, Server Build For Homelab. #minirack #serverrack #techsetup #homeserver #deskpi #raspberrypi #homelab #serversetup #minipc #techguide #itsetup #smallservers #networking #serverorganization #techenthusiast TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 1:21 - Containers (Docker) 3:14 - Backup Server 3:34 - Active Directory 5:01 - Firewall Server 6.20 - NAS 7:17 - Security & Monitoring 8:20 - Home Assistant 9:25 - Sandbox / Dev Environment 10:29 - Media Server 11:27 - Automation & N8N