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Greetings Everyone. I'm not sure if this post should be in hardware or general discussion, but I'm looking for some advice about a how I should progress in learning and setting up my home lab. I'm currently enrolled in a BS degree with a focus in cyber security starting in January, I have a little IT experience and I've got my CompTIA A+ Core 1, aside from that I'm pretty green. I work in an unrelated industry, career changer, and so have been slowly piecing together hardware to build out my homelab this winter as things slow down. I'm currently focused on learning Linux, and using Lenovo T480 with Debian Distro as my daily driver. I also have a Macbook M2 I have to use for school. Other hardware resources I have acquired over the year: 3D Printer & Scanner: Sovol 3D Printer Revopoint 3D Scanner Sensors: BME 280 Temp / Humidity / Pressure Sensors Cabling: Cat 6 UTP / various lengths Micro Controllers: M5 Tough - ESP32 (x2) Router: Mofi 6500 Server: Start 9 - Pure Computers: Two Mentioned HP T630 Thin Client Switches: TP Link TL-SG108 Managed TP Link TL-SG108 UnManaged MFD: Epsot ET-2850 Mobile Phones: Two Iphones. My goal is to build/structure a homelab where I can learn and practice cybersecurity and devops technology like K8's and OT like SCADA. I'm interested in learning Siemens and Mitsubishi MELSEC (any series) as I want to work in Japan's IT/SC/OT market as an engineer in the future. Can anyone recommend some tools I can add either hardware or software / simulators to incorporate SCADA / PLC / etc into my home learning. Any input would be appreciated.

Are you a gamer in addition to your IT / Networking addiction?

Curious how many might be going after certs this year, either on-premises tech or cloud certs?