If you’re an aspiring Systems Engineer or IT Network & Systems Administrator, having hands-on experience is non-negotiable. But let’s be real—enterprise-grade IT environments are expensive. Luckily, with less than $500, you can build a fully functional home lab that mirrors a 50-employee corporate network, complete with Active Directory, DNS, File Servers, Linux servers, and even a Microsoft Exchange email server.
This guide will walk you through the exact hardware, software, and setup you need to get up and running. Whether you’re prepping for a certification, job interview, or just want to level up your IT skills, this lab will give you the real-world experience to hit the ground running in an enterprise environment.
Continue reading Building a Budget IT Home Lab with Microsoft Exchange & Windows Server