homelab

I’ve used Internet Software Consortium’s dhcpd for a while.

When I was setting up my new server I found out that dhcpd was past end-of-life. ISC wanted me to use kea instead.

I’ve got a Linksys WRT3200ACM WiFi router. Of course it runs OpenWRT, but it should bridge the associated WiFi clients to my LAN, not NAT them.

I bought a Qotom Q20332G9-S10 fanless server, which I hope will eventually replace my older Dell PowerEdge R530, which was manufactured in August - December of 2014.

This started me on a journey of discovery that I could scarcely have imagined six months ago.

I updated my laptop, which runs the simple, lightweight Arch Linux distro. I did not note the low battery reading.

I found a blog post about Millisecond accurate Chrony NTP with a USB GPS for $12 USD.

Wow! I’ve had an interest in NTP since about 1994, when I had to prove that a system my (somewhat shady) employers were selling to an NSA cut-out could synchronize to an NTP server.

As I’ve written before, now that I’ve retired, I can devote time to my hobbies. I’ve set up a “home lab”, what we home computer enthusiasts call our computer and router setups. This is different than gamer’s “rigs”, in that a “server” is required, and it’s not allowed to have disturbingly-illuminated keyboards and cases. The aesthetic is completely different.

We often try to emulate corporate data centers by purchasing depreciated business-class machines from refurbishers.

Here’s my homelab:

As many of you know, I’ve retired. I worked hard, for long years. I deserve a rest. I love spending time with my granchildren, but mostly I’m devoting my time to hobbies.

I thought I’d show you a picture of my hobby room!