# Building a Lab

Some must have tools to train! Keep your swords sharp and play, build, and destroy! 

<table><thead><tr><th width="187">Tool</th><th>Category </th><th>Note</th><th>Info Link</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Computer Hardware</td><td>Hardware</td><td>Buy refurbished!  You'll get more bang for your buck. </td><td>Dell Referbished: <a href="https://www.dellrefurbished.com/">https://www.dellrefurbished.com/</a><br>Lenovo Referbished: <a href="https://www.lenovo.com/us/outletus/en/laptops/?">https://www.lenovo.com/us/outletus/en/laptops/</a></td></tr><tr><td>Computer Hardware</td><td>Hardware</td><td>Buy a raspberry pi or intel NUC</td><td>Raspberry pi: <a href="https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/">https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/</a></td></tr><tr><td>PFSense/OpenSense</td><td>Networking</td><td>Finding the hardware to put it on can be pricey. Both can be run in a virtual environment(VE) but it can be tricky to get all function working in a VE</td><td><a href="https://shop.netgate.com/products/1100-pfsense">https://shop.netgate.com/products/1100-pfsense</a></td></tr><tr><td>Proxmox Ve</td><td>Virtual Environment</td><td>A hypervisor OS. Get a feel of what working with data centers. Need dedicated hardware. </td><td><a href="https://www.proxmox.com/en/">https://www.proxmox.com/en/</a></td></tr><tr><td>Pi-Hole</td><td>DNS</td><td>Control your DNS! Block those in-game ads on your phone ;) </td><td><a href="https://pi-hole.net/">https://pi-hole.net/</a></td></tr><tr><td>Cloud Hosting</td><td>Cloud</td><td>Most cloud providers offer free credits or a free tier. This is often enough to build a lab scenario that mimics real world operations.  <br>The average monthly cost for the cheapest cloud hosted server is around 8 USD. </td><td><p>Vultr: <a href="https://www.vultr.com/coupons/">https://www.vultr.com/coupons/</a></p><p>AWS:<br><a href="https://aws.amazon.com/free/">https://aws.amazon.com/free/</a></p></td></tr><tr><td>Cloud Lab</td><td>Infrastructure as Code</td><td>Spin up a lab to test a specific use case or training and destroying like it was never there.Looking around 3 USD (Use free credits! ) </td><td><a href="https://www.doazlab.com/">https://www.doazlab.com/</a></td></tr></tbody></table>