GL.iNet - Slate 7 (GL-BE3600)

1. Self-custody of my data and privacy reclamation. The journey started with booting Arch Linux and ThinkPad tinkering. The project that I am most proud of is setting up my own network without hiring a technician over, and it has empowered me. The most expensive equipment I bought is a GMKTec NUCBox K6 2. Both the GL.inet WiFi 7 Router and Remote KVM would make remote management much faster and more efficient. It would also give me KVM-level access on my homelab servers, which is beneficial for OS switching, accessing the firmware, and waking up my connected devices on sleep 3. I learned from official channels, such as OPNsense and Pfsense, to learn about their software. For hardware, I check my equipment brands' official channels to learn how to effectively use my bought equipment, like GMKTec 4. I'd love to see a FrameWork laptop as a prize. It's not only valuable but environmentally friendly. It can be upgraded with newer components My choices: Comet PoE (GL-RM1PE) and Slate 7 (GL-BE3600)

How small you wanna go? Look at Gli-net's travel routers. I carry one in my luggage and they're great.

How small you wanna go? Look at Gli-net's travel routers. I carry one in my luggage and they're great.

I have an older Slate and use it as my travel router. It can connect to my FWG with no issues over wireguard. The FWG applies all of the normal security rules to the traffic, just like being at home.  I personally prefer the Slate for travel and would highly recommend it.  On a side note, I have had issues with some places not allowing VPN traffic, including OpenVPN on port 443. So, in a situation like that, the Purple would be better as it can apply all of the proper network security measures on its own.

1. It's been a while, but it was to learn more about Linux, servers, NAS, hosting. Then it evolved info providing services for the family, to try to prevent vendor lock-in for most stuff. It's also helpful when you want to test something without constraints for work, or just set up a quick PoC. Mostly proud of the smart home setup around home assistant, and the local media library, especially for the kids. Most expensive equipment that helps all of this is my Synology DS920+. Works great, but with more and more caveats recently. 2. The solo item would be the Slate 7. It would help immensely on our holidays and with some remote work. I'd set up a VPN to my home network, and it would not only help privacy, but also with ad-filtering and convenience. If I were to win the duo, I'd add the Comet PoE. I'm just in the process of setting up everything in a mini rack, and have just received a PoE switch. This one would tie-in perfectly to remotely access my mini PC and have it powered by PoE. 3. Mostly reddit, youtube. Usually I check reviews or comments of owners, to see what are the features, then I go look at if there are any internal pictures of equipment, if it's meant to be opened and hardware added. Then it also depends on what I'm going to do with it, do I need anything printed for it to be mounted or additional requirements, are there any models for it already. I also check the manual or the datasheet just to see if it fits my idea. 4. While additional TinyMiniMicro PCs wouldn't hurt, I'd be more interested in some networking gear, routers or APs, from Mikrotik, Ubiquiti, Omada, or some mini rack stuff from GeeekPi, maybe even some storage devices.

Definitely GL-INET for travel. It just has a lot more versatility as it was designed specifically for that purpose.

1. I like having local control of my services and not depending on cloud services and monthly payments. I don't have much equipment; the most expensive thing is my Raspberry Pi 4. 2. Full-speed Wi-Fi 7 and the ability to access my local network from anywhere using WireGuard. Plus, the Slate 7 is a great device for travels. 3. I usually find things through YouTube channels and by talking to people on Discord and forums. What I buy is usually second-hand from Vinted xd. 4. I would love to see a low-power NAS/server. I would love to win Flint 3 and Slate 7

well you need to touch their modem, thats how the internet connection gets into the property. if they have a seaprate modem and router then you can unplug their router and plug in yours, I personally like the GL-iNet traver routers, but any router would do in this case. however if they have a combo router-modem then your gonna need to plug your router into theirs anyway to get internet, and while you could setup a VPN on the GL.Inet that sends all your trafic though it, but at that point you might aswell save yourself the money on the router and just run the VPN directly on your devices.

GL.Inet 100% as it runs relativley pure OpenWRT and has a bunch of nice features that while you might not use them this time are great for other times, like you can connect it to public wifi and then your devices to it to isolate them, and as mentioned above setup a VPN service on it to send all your traffic though the VPN. i'm pretty sure TP link dosnt have these features or if it does they are way more basic. I deff know it dosnt let you connect to public Wifi's and use that as a wan connection cuz iv had to reaseach it recently due to moving to an appartment with shared wifi.

**1. What inspired you to start your selfhosting journey?** What's one project you're most proud of so far, and what's the most expensive piece of equipment you've acquired for? I work in IT and I'm interested in many aspects of IT. So setting up a homelab to learn more about hypervisors, imaging computers, Cisco networking gear, firewalls, and everything lets me play an learn to help me in my IT career. My favorite project was setting up my network rack earlier this year. I got Gigabit fiber last year and had switched to an OPNsense router a couple months before getting fiber. I had bought a 9u wall mounted network rack, and finally got it installed in my laundry room where it's out of the way and out of sight. I have a 24-port keystone patch panel, a Cisco 2960-X POE+ switch, my HP Elitedesk SFF pc with dual 2.5Gb nic that runs my OPNsense router, and the fiber ONT next to the router. My most expensive piece of equipment would be the switches I have for CCNA study. Various Cisco models I've picked up off the used market. 2. How would winning the unit(s) from this giveaway **help you take your setup to the next level?** I would definitely love to have both of the routers in my home. I'm not sure if I would use the Wifi7 home router in AP mode or not, but the travel router would be amazing to have on work trips so I wouldn't have to deal with the stupid captive portals that hotels have everywhere. 3. Which channels do you most frequently use to **learn about or purchase IT equipment?** r/homelabsales is a great place for seeing what everybody has or is wanting. On YouTube, I often catch Raid Owl, LTT, Jeff Geerling, Hardware Haven, Wolfgang's Channel, Jim's Garage, and Craft Computing are just a few I watch for homelab stuff, and to see what gear they are running. 4. Looking ahead, if we were to do another giveaway, **what is one product from another brand** (e.g., a server, storage device or ANYTHING) that you'd love to see as a prize? I would think a NAS of some sort that could hold a minimum of 4 drives, and up to 8 if possible would be a great giveaway. Everybody needs storage, and SFF/mini pcs just don't have that capability.

1. I got into self hosting because I was tired of paying for services that never quite delivered how I wanted and stopped working if my internet did. 2. I travel enough that I frequently use an older Gl.Net router to provide some protection and get more of my devices connected if I have to pay for a connection. I have also been wanting a KVM for my home server so I can better administer it from afar. In particular one that might let me restart or power it up with button presses or a jumper interface. 3.I learn a lot from Reddit, but probably most from encountering a problem and researching it until I find a solution that suits my needs and capabilities. That research takes me everywhere… but mostly Reddit these days. 4. I’d love a lower-power feature rich NAS. I consult for a lot of friends and families, and these have become a popular request. Ugreen might have the best offering for now, but I do feel like there’s still room for improvement. Edit: Products I’d choose if I won would be the POE KVM and travel router.