Why Build a Home Lab?

A cybersecurity home lab provides a safe, legal environment to practice hacking techniques, test security tools, and prepare for certifications like OSCP, CEH, or PNPT.

Hardware Requirements

Minimum Specs

• CPU: 4+ cores (Intel i5/AMD Ryzen 5 or better)
• RAM: 16GB minimum, 32GB recommended
• Storage: 500GB SSD + external storage
• Network: Gigabit Ethernet

Recommended Setup

• Dedicated lab machine or server
• Managed switch with VLAN support
• Isolated network segment

Virtualization Platform

Options

1. VMware Workstation Pro - Industry standard, excellent features
2. VirtualBox - Free, open-source alternative
3. Proxmox - Type-1 hypervisor for dedicated servers
4. Hyper-V - Built into Windows Pro/Enterprise

Essential Virtual Machines

Attack Machine

# Kali Linux - Primary attack platform
# ParrotOS - Alternative with privacy focus
# Commando VM - Windows-based attack platform

Vulnerable Targets

• Metasploitable 2/3 - Intentionally vulnerable Linux
• DVWA - Damn Vulnerable Web Application
• VulnHub machines - Various difficulty levels
• HackTheBox/TryHackMe - Online platforms with VPN access

Enterprise Environment

• Windows Server (Active Directory)
• Windows 10/11 clients
• Ubuntu Server (web services)
• pfSense/OPNsense (firewall)

Network Configuration

Isolated Networks

Create separate virtual networks:

1. Attack Network - Kali and attack tools
2. Target Network - Vulnerable machines
3. Management Network - Lab administration

Sample Network Layout

Attack Net: 10.0.1.0/24
Target Net: 10.0.2.0/24
Management: 10.0.0.0/24

Cloud Alternatives

If hardware is limited, consider:

• AWS Free Tier - Limited free resources
• Azure - Student credits available
• DigitalOcean - Affordable droplets
• Linode - Good performance/price ratio

Security Considerations

1. Isolate the lab - Never connect to production networks
2. Snapshot before testing - Easy recovery
3. Monitor resource usage - Prevent system overload
4. Document everything - Track your learning

Conclusion

Building a home lab is an investment in your cybersecurity career. Start small and expand as your skills grow. The hands-on experience is invaluable for developing practical security skills.