What would you want in your computer lab?

[Trace]

I get to build my own computer lab from the ground up. What would you put in yours if you had the opportunity?


Dual 30 Amp Power Rails
220volt line
A/c
UPS?
Switch (http://cgi.ebay.com/Cisco-Catalyst-2948G-48-Port-10-100-Switch-WS-C2948G-/330450838338?cmd=ViewItem&pt=COMP_EN_Hubs&hash=item4cf067a342#ht_3161wt_911)
Patch Panel (http://cgi.ebay.com/CAT6-48-PORT-PATCH-PANEL-19-RACK-MOUNT-FREE-SHIPPING-/380186631560?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5884e39d88#ht_1790wt_911)
Rack Mount (http://www.amazon.com/Organize-Twisted-pair-Cabling-Increase-Stability/dp/B000VDPBXM)

[mDust]

I get to build my own computer lab from the ground up. What would you put in yours if you had the opportunity?


Dual 30 Amp Power Rails
220volt line
A/c
UPS?
All house networking gear


You forgot a disco ball...that can be lifted above the drop-ceiling for occasions when it isn't appropriate.
I'd also recommend computers.:think:

[Spawn-Inc]

electron microscope comes to mind.

[Trace]

Realistically guys!

[BuzzKillington]

A green screen

[blueonblack]

Depending on exactly what you were going to do in there, maybe a good air filtration system and a couple of standalone self-contained cooling setups, one water and one refrigeration unit of some kind.

[Twigsoffury]

lots of extremely hot naked chicks that happened to like PC computers and video games.

everything else i can fashion up in reality.

but hot naked chicks who dig computer mods are hard to come by.

*runs*

[x88x]

What level gear are we talking here?
Are we planning systems or infrastructure?

Racks? Have a sound-insulated room for that, with separate AC system of course.

Raised floor for running cabling/etc is a must. ...also for hiding in.. :whistler:

As many 220V 30A lines as is realistically possible. You know, just in case you have a lobotomy and decide that getting a crapton of Sun bladecenters is a good idea.

10GigE fiber everywhere.

Where fiber isn't realistic, Cat6.

Are there going to be workstations? If so, mounts for at least 6 24" monitors per system.

Kitchen. ...seriously, a kitchen. Make sure it's segregated from the computers and all, but...yeah, a kitchen...with a huge fridge and freezer. Oooh, and maybe one of those glass-fronted fridges. :D

5.1 channel headphones (or 7.1? do they make those?) at each station.

7.1 channel audio system throughout the whole room.

1080p projector with huge (100"+) projection screen at one end, aligned with the whole-room sound system.

Desks/etc easily reconfigured to allow easy viewing of the projector screen.

All available wall space are whiteboards. Markers have magnets attached, and the boards are either metallic or have a metallic underlay.

Glass desks with displays underneath. These serve a dual purpose of displays in the desks and easily mark-able (ie, with dry-erase markers) displays.

Oooh, and ziplines. :D

[Airbozo]

Network KVM
ESD setup
Cheap monitor keyboard/mouse setup (haunt surplus stores for rackmount unit)
Separate switch/router for test network (with firewall for playing/testing/learning)
usb dvd


...

[Kayin]

Whiteboards, shelves, and good CLEAR (as in not cluttered) table space. Everything else, computer hardware should take care of.

Though TBH, my lab has a hazmat cabinet.

[mDust]

Oooh, and ziplines.
/clap
...bravo!


Realistically guys!

That wasn't in all caps...I don't think we heard you.

Are you actually designing a computer lab? Because no computer lab is complete without the 'hanging kitten' motivational poster!

What kind of computer lab and what is your budget?

[x88x]

Oooh, thanks Kayin, I forgot about clear deskspace...since I so rarely have it at home for some reason... :whistler:
Yes, definitely, lots of deskspace. Like, at least 50sqft for each person using the lab.

Also, multiple internet connections for testing, as well as backup lines for each on separate ISPs.

Backup power systems with separate power companies.

Digital adjustable soldering irons at each station.

Oscilloscopes at each station.

Comprehensive TEMPEST shielding for the entire structure. ...just because I'm paranoid...

[Kayin]

BTW, is this a personal lab, or will this be a shared-type thing?

[mDust]

Oooh, thanks Kayin, I forgot about clear deskspace...since I so rarely have it at home for some reason... :whistler:
Yes, definitely, lots of deskspace. Like, at least 50sqft for each person using the lab.

Also, multiple internet connections for testing, as well as backup lines for each on separate ISPs.

Backup power systems with separate power companies.

Digital adjustable soldering irons at each station.

Oscilloscopes at each station.

Comprehensive TEMPEST shielding for the entire structure. ...just because I'm paranoid...
I'm not sure that there is a large selection of ISPs or power companies able to service a multiple security layer, underground bunker on the far side of the moon! A team of black-hats ready to drain bank accounts and socially ruin any would-be hackers should be monitoring all incoming connections 24/7 for anything even remotely suspicious. The bunker should also be nuclear-armed...because you never know. Don't forget the vending machines and booby-traps!

[Trace]

Should be me only. Size is about 6'x14' kinda tight I know. Height wise, its 6 foot max. It's going into my garage attic.

[mDust]

Should be me only. Size is about 6'x14' kinda tight I know. Height wise, its 6 foot max. It's going into my garage attic.

Minifridge...everything else should be built around it. So are you going to be brute-forcing passwords and cracking 256-bit encryption or just running Photoshop and a browser? Or is this more of a benchmarking / hardware modding area?

[Trace]

Benchmarking, (haha brute-forcing is not to be talked about on the forums ;) )

[Kayin]

If it's OCing, get a Dimas benching table.

[Trace]

Good idea! Or build my own

[Trace]

What do you guys think of this? http://cgi.ebay.com/CAT6-48-PORT-PATCH-PANEL-19-RACK-MOUNT-FREE-SHIPPING-/380186631560?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5884e39d88#ht_1790wt_911

[mDust]

haha brute-forcing is not to be talked about on the forums ;)
Hey, sometimes I forget the password to my router...it's just easier and more fun to see how strong my password is. I would never advocate malicious or illegal use of any fun tools.:)


What do you guys think of this?
Can you honestly say you have anywhere near 48 places you can terminate a patch cable? It could make an interesting wall decoration though.:think:

[Trace]

Our server admin here at TBCS recommended pulling 2 lines to each location. Plus a bunch of ports in my lab. Some locations will have 4-6 pulls (entertainment rooms, etc) Yes, I will have ~48

I know what you mean about the router password. I attempted that on my WiFi. It was easily returned to me

[mDust]

Our server admin here at TBCS recommended pulling 2 lines to each location. Plus a bunch of ports in my lab. Some locations will have 4-6 pulls (entertainment rooms, etc) Yes, I will have ~48
I could see 2 lines going somewhere...but 4-6? Unless you're saturating the cable, you could just add a switch at the end with as many ports as you need. Maybe you just enjoy pulling wire though...there are a lot of weirdos out there!:D

[Trace]

TV room, My lab. I'm only using 10/100 switch, so I will saturate the line if I put switches at the ends of cables.

[mDust]

TV room, My lab. I'm only using 10/100 switch, so I will saturate the line if I put switches at the ends of cables.

:facepalm:
gigabit home networking FTW... (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007691+600015752&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=30&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=)

[Trace]

those are only 5port

[mDust]

those are only 5port

Good thing they invented the scrollbar on the right then! Otherwise we'd all be stuck with 5-ports.:D

[Trace]

Doh *facepalm*

But those become 600$

[mDust]

Doh *facepalm*

But those become 600$
The problem with the world is that all the cool stuff does indeed cost more. Don't forget that you can daisy-chain these $20 badboys to a certain extent.
All you have to do is figure out how many connections you need per room and about how much throughput each room requires. If you need another wire then make sure you pull two wires when the time comes. I doubt you'll be saturating a 5e/6 cable in a private residence though.

[Trace]

Oh, it very well could get saturated

[x88x]

I could see 2 lines going somewhere...but 4-6? Unless you're saturating the cable, you could just add a switch at the end with as many ports as you need. Maybe you just enjoy pulling wire though...there are a lot of weirdos out there!:D

The idea is just more future-proofing, making sure that no matter what you want to do later on, you have all the cabling laid before you put up the drywall.


For the context of a 1-person home office, I guess my recommendations would be a little overkill. :P

Instead, how about:

Built-in desk (ie, no legs/feet, entirely supported by the wall).

At least 50sqft of deskspace.

Wall-mounts for all monitors.

Whiteboard material covering all possible walls/ceilings.

Mini-fridge/freezer and microwave, maybe a small sink if possible?

Shelves.

[mDust]

Oh, it very well could get saturated

Then you, sir, are a data mad man! You don't need to be moving that much data at once. I might even go so far as to suggest that you are addicted to data.:eek: It's important to know that you're not in this alone...

[Luthien]

Well, a much faster internet connection would be awesome. No offense to HughesNet, but satellite outages and throttling can be a pain.

What else?
A super-comfy office chair
A nice sturdy desk
A lot of shelves (There's never enough storage space.)
Some sort of kitty-palace play area so my furry little helpers would not help quite so much

[crenn]

Doh *facepalm*

But those become 600$
This is pretty much what I have:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704043

We've got 2 of those and a 24 port version (except ours isn't plastic). How many gigabit capable devices do you have in your house?

[x88x]

Another thing for the router, check out eBay. I have a few friends who have picked up really high end Cisco gear for tiny fractions of the retail values, often from overstock, upgrades (ie, these were the old ones), or companies going under (sad for them, but beneficial for the people getting great deals on the gear).