52 lines
2.6 KiB
Markdown
52 lines
2.6 KiB
Markdown
# Single Board Computers
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## Brief
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Employing containerized applications via clustering ARM-based Single Board Computers (SBC)
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- by `rskntroot` on `2024-05-30`
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## Background
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My fascination with ARM-based microcontrollers is in their use as an extremely lightweight replacement for rack-mounted servers.
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In this regard, a power-efficent SoC that can run containerized services has quite the appeal for personal-use applications.
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With the cost of power these days I am baffled at the thought of running the previous generations discounted servers at home.
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A few years ago, with the ever raging popularity and scarcity of RaspberryPis,
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I like many others found myself looking for an alternative "PiLike" SoCs.
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After finding LibreComputers offerings, I was delighted to find the "Le Potato".
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For under $40 USD, the [AML-S905X-CC-V1](https://libre.computer/products/aml-s905x-cc/) could reliably run Ubuntu-Server with support for containers!
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Usage of a mainstream Linux-disto on SoC was a game-changer.
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Fast forward to 2024, I stumbled across the somewhat quiet release of the 2023 [AML-S905X-CC-V2](https://libre.computer/products/aml-s905x-cc-v2/).
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For just around $35 USD, this release sports USB-C power-in.
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But even better is the PoE support with the addition of a $15 USD [PoE hat](https://www.loverpi.com/products/loverpi-poe-hat-with-pwm-fan-controller-for-aml-s905x-cc-v2-sweet-potato),
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you can deploy these with a single cable, given you have the infrastructure for it and don't mind 100Mb/s.
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## Recommendation
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The [Sweet Potato AML-S905X-CC-V2](https://libre.computer/products/aml-s905x-cc-v2/) is a great starter board.
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Seriously, check out the specs.
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This little guy is packing just enough for a streamlined CI/CD pipeline to host some tolerant webservices on the edge.
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(For obvious reasons, "the edge" is just my family and friend's houses across the United States.)
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If you need more RAM, USB3.0, or AI Acceleration is mandatory, checkout LibreComputer's
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[Alta](https://libre.computer/products/aml-a311d-cc/) which will quickly double your investment.
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## Projects
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I am running a K3s cluster with a couple of these as worker nodes.
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## Notes
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### PoE Setup
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Using Power over Ethernet (PoE) to run your SoCs is just awesome! You only need 1 cable?! Be sure to get yourself some good cables and a solid PoE switch.
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Examples:
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- [CAT8 Ethernet cables](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PL1P53C/)
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- Ive used countless Ethernet Cables and fashioning hundreds of my own; can confirm these are premium.
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- [1G PoE+ 8-port Switch](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FCQ8BRC)
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- Unmanaged switch that I can recommend. Works like a charm.
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