Update //
A few more months into this project, and I've made some significant progress. Currently, I'm managing four Windows VMs and eight Linux distros. To cope with the increasing workload, I had to upgrade the CPU. From the outset, I had a feeling that the modest Celeron might not be sufficient, and boy, was I right. I've now upgraded to a Core i5-7500T, a cost-effective yet worthwhile choice, albeit secondhand given that these components are long EOL (End of Life).
This particular variant, the 'T,' theoretically implies a TDP of 35 Watts, which was a crucial consideration for me. Typically, the only upgrades left for the platform I'm using are the i7 6700 or 7700. Ideally, in the T variant, though these are quite challenging to find at a reasonable price, I can assure you.
Additionally, I incorporated another SSD into the system, doubling the capacity from the previous setup. Even though each VM requires just over 10 GB of storage, these requirements accumulate swiftly. Alongside this, I've introduced a small EasyNAS instance. However, it essentially serves as my virtual USB stick.
I thought I needed TrueNAS, but in reality, I didn't. I have a habit of not auto-starting systems, and more often than not, when I think I need it, I start it up. However, TrueNAS was only started about twice a month. Consequently, I decided to decommission it. Currently, the lightweight EasyNAS proves to be more than sufficient for my needs. I'm considering exploring a media streamer, but before diving into that, I'll need to develop a workflow for ripping Blu-rays.
Legacy //
Hardware at the Core //
At the heart of my setup is a modest second-hand Intel H110 chipset ITX Asus board, a Celeron G3930 CPU, 16GB of DDR4 Corsair RAM, and a Smasnug* 256GB SSD. It's a testament to the fact that you don't always need high-end hardware to handle most day-to-day tasks efficiently. However, I've left room for growth; the CPU is planned for an upgrade when the right deal comes along. All eyes are currently focused on the Intel Core i7 7700 or 6700 as potential CPU upgrades. However, an alternative hack is available. Coffee Lake CPUs are compatible with the same chipset, but they require a BIOS microcode upgrade. The challenge is, I lack a compatible CPU for this test. Yet, Coffee Lake processors come with more cores, offering a potential upgrade path that could be invaluable if I encounter performance limitations down the road.
*No, it is a Samsung Evo
- Proxmox and Virtualization:
Proxmox, my virtualization platform of choice, empowers my server to handle multiple tasks. It allows me to create and manage virtual machines, each with its own distinct purpose. This flexibility lets me run various operating systems and applications seamlessly.
- Account Management Simplified:
My server shines as a tool for efficient account management, particularly for my Google and Steam accounts. With dedicated virtual machines, I can host separate installs of Windows and Linux, making account management a breeze.
- Machine Learning Aspirations:
As a tech enthusiast, I'm venturing into machine learning. To realize this ambition, I plan to equip my server with an 8 or 12GB Nvidia GPU. This addition will unlock exciting possibilities for machine learning projects, albeit with the challenge of GPU pass-through in a virtual machine.
Update:
By this point, the responsibility for Machine Learning and AI tools has been unexpectedly shouldered by a system I accidentally purchased on eBay – namely, the Mainboard and CPU. This happened in the middle of the week when I stumbled upon a deal too good to pass up. The Mainboard, originating from China, accommodates an Intel Xeon E5-2696 v2 processor. While the CPU may be considered old, with 12 aging cores and 24 threads, all for under 70 euros, it was a deal I couldn't resist. Despite being an impulse buy, it has liberated my petite server from the burden of handling AI tasks.
Now, I'm contemplating whether to forgo installing a larger GPU. The spotlight has shifted to the Xeon processor. Interestingly, I opted for the most budget-friendly and compact "Mars Gaming" case I could find on Amazon to house this unexpected addition.
- Docker and TrueNAS Integration:
My server doesn't stop at virtualization; it's a versatile workhorse. I also utilize it to run Docker containers, enhancing its capacity to handle various applications. Additionally, it serves as a TrueNAS system, ensuring robust data storage and management.
In summary, my compact server acts as my digital Swiss Army knife. It's adaptable, efficient, and cost-effective, thanks to my practice of powering it on only when I need its services and using almost exclusive preowned parts.
I will go into the software at the next time. This project is ongoing anyways. I've set up Proxmox and started looking for secondhand mining graphics cards. Since I don't require a display output for my AI projects, I thought it would be a practical choice to repurpose such a card and prevent it from going to waste. However, it appears that the price difference for a standard RTX card is so minimal that I might as well opt for a regular one. Regardless, I intend to wait for a good deal and not rush into buying from the first seller.
Update:
I am still in search of a GPU, specifically eyeing a 12GB RTX 3060. These GPUs are reasonably priced and possess all the features I require. I am in no rush and will only make the purchase when I come across a genuine deal.
