Low Power Linux Server

Dale Hodge

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Mar 9, 2015, 4:08:05 PM3/9/15

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Does anyone have experience using a Raspberry Pi or a Cromebox as a Linux server? I'm not doing anything particularly demanding with my current servers but they're getting long in the tooth and I'd like to replace them with something more power efficient. I'm also considering using a SSD as the primary drive to further reduce power consumption. I think by doing that even a small UPS would keep them running for hours rather minutes during power failures.

John Goerzen

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Mar 9, 2015, 4:53:15 PM3/9/15

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Hi Dale,

I have a couple Raspberry Pi devices I'm using as a streaming media server; see http://changelog.complete.org/archives/9280-sound-players-adventures-with-ampache-mpd-pulseaudio-raspberry-pi-and-logitech-media-server

John

On 03/09/2015 03:08 PM, Dale Hodge wrote:

Does anyone have experience using a Raspberry Pi or a Cromebox as a Linux server? I'm not doing anything particularly demanding with my current servers but they're getting long in the tooth and I'd like to replace them with something more power efficient. I'm also considering using a SSD as the primary drive to further reduce power consumption. I think by doing that even a small UPS would keep them running for hours rather minutes during power failures.

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Ryan

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Mar 9, 2015, 5:07:15 PM3/9/15

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Ive got a CuBox i4pro (http://www.solid-run.com/product/cubox-i4pro/) with a routed IP ruining ArchLinux.. Its got a 4TB eSata drive that 4x1080p security cameras record 24/7 via FTP on; It runs my home automation, security, authentication and host monitoring services like a champ. It sits mostly idle and never hits swap space; I had some stability issues a while back that turned out to be due to my cheap uSD card but its been running months since I installed a new one without issue.

Ive also got a few beaglebone blacks running for sprinklers, remote gpio and gps time server, they have small li-ion batteries wired directly to them as they have built in battery charger/backup; but for me they were too slow and limited on storage for primary server use so they do more simple and dedicated tasks.. the small batteries do keep em running for at least 6h, haven't tested it much thankfully.

Cheers,

-Ryan

On Mar 9, 2015, at 2:08 PM, Dale Hodge <kansa...@gmail.com> wrote:

Does anyone have experience using a Raspberry Pi or a Cromebox as a Linux server? I'm not doing anything particularly demanding with my current servers but they're getting long in the tooth and I'd like to replace them with something more power efficient. I'm also considering using a SSD as the primary drive to further reduce power consumption. I think by doing that even a small UPS would keep them running for hours rather minutes during power failures.

John Goerzen

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Mar 9, 2015, 5:41:03 PM3/9/15

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Interesting. What sort of cameras are those? And what sort of home automation/security are you doing? I'm doing Insteon and Z-Wave here, but not much of a Linux component to it.

John

Ryan

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Mar 9, 2015, 6:14:05 PM3/9/15

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The cameras are Dahua PoE IP Cameras; one is a big fancy PTZ with 12x optical zoom.. they just ftp the video the server 24/7 and I have a script that runs to keep the drive from filling up.. it then shares the drive over the network where I can review the videos with a regular video player. When sensors go off if the big PTZ can see the zone it will instantly go to a preset overlooking the area of the disturbance.. When the mail man comes it zooms in on the mailbox, when my gate opens up to the back yard it zooms in on the gate.. there is even a motion sensor over my back yard parking area that keeps a really good eye on my cat sunbathing.

For automation I am using Domoticz (http://domoticz.com/) with a Z-Wave dongle; my 2 BBB’s run Domoticz Slave nodes and I use the GPIO’s for wired sensors/relays.. lots of custom scripts to talk to the TV/AVR/etc. The thermostat and most of the light switches are Z-Wave; a few outlets are Z-Wave; the mailbox is Z-Wave but most of the security sensors are hardwired through the BBB’s… Right now I am using a protoboard with a bunch of opto-isolators to provide me with 12v/50mAh GPIO for my security sensors; needed for signals over any distance, ive got a nice clean circuit board designed for this task but I havent sent it off for fab yet.

I have a custom webui that makes ajax json requests to Domoticz and gives me a simpler, wife approved, interface

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1if5nhxlcex09t2/Screenshot%202015-03-09%2015.53.14.png?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/y5em77fzikrpmmo/Screenshot%202015-03-09%2015.53.25.png?dl=0

Everything is proxied behind nginx configured only to allow x509 TLS authentication from my in-house CA, as long as the device has the certificate installed it can connect from any network without prompting for credentials.

In the garage is a BeagleBone black with an OpenSprinkler carrier board for my lawn and garden irrigation.

Next up is 2 factor authentication for unlocking the front door and disarming the security system; I am wanting to use a UbiKey with a keypad/card reader; then wiring up my big fish tank for monitoring and automation and finally a whole house energy monitor, its one of those never ending projects.