Here’s how I configured my WordPress server to handle huge traffic spikes. It’s easier than you think. For those who have seen smoke coming from your server in the garage, you know. But for those who haven’t, here’s a bit of history as I remember it: In the 1990s Slashdot used to link to interesting … Read more
2U Supermicro servers are my go-to. These are much quieter than 1U servers, but the fans spin at 8800RPM. The IPMI fan modes available are Full (9000RPM), Heavy IO (6000RPM), and Optimal (supposed to auto-adjust). Unfortunately, setting the Fan Mode to Optimal seems to have a floor speed of 4500RPM, which is too loud. Even … Read more
To make more room in the house (converting my home office into a bedroom), I moved my homelab into the garage. It’s still a work in progress, the cable management is a mess, but that’s about as good as it’s going to get for a while, as I have other things to attend to, but … Read more
My favorite method of server power reserve is a flywheel. It’s also the best way to have completely air-gapped protection from lightning strikes and surges. I was about to get one but realized I don’t have the space for it in the garage. When you have limited space, a Battery UPS will do in a … Read more
What’s the best virtualization solution for your homelab? The other day a friend asked me this. I replied with two options: VMware ESXi or Proxmox VE. What is a hypervisor? In case you’ve been in the dark for the last decade, a hypervisor is a server that allows you to run multiple virtual machines (VMs) … Read more
We were locked outside. The sliding glass door had locked itself upon being closed. Perhaps it had been slammed just a little too hard. Minutes earlier the kids had shot off poppers. We were celebrating the new year standing out on the back deck; 20 feet off the ground at my in-laws house. It was … Read more
Why You Should Have a Homelab In 1998 my friend Meredith gave me a RedHat Linux CD. I spent hours each day experimenting with Linux–I loved it. 2 years later I’m in a room with 30 other students at a University applying for the same computer lab assistant job–I’m thinking my chances are grim. Part-way … Read more