New Home Server

Posted on by Shaun

Well,

I have come to the conclusion that I am in need of a new home server.  My combination of a HP N40L for storage, a HP Laptop for Plex and a Raspberry Pi 3 as a Home Assistant machine just isn’t working well anymore.  Of course, I can’t afford to go out and buy brand new gear (for the most part).  I am considering “old” LGA 1356 Intel E5-2670 Xeons (around $80 each), a motherboard to support two of them, rackmount case (new Norco RPC-5224 and probably the most expensive part of the build), new PSU, an additional SAS/SATA controller so I can use the case properly, etc.  Just need to determine if I want to do Ubuntu with ZOL & root on ZFS or if I want to go with FreeBSD and a beta install of Docker.  I’ll run as much as I can outside of Docker containers, but some will need to be containers.  I’m also thinking of putting the server in the garage, although I have no clue how hot it gets in there in the summer which worries me.  I would love to be able to run two fiber runs out there to do a connection between my current  Meraki MS220-8P and my old Dell PowerConnect 2724 (LAG between them just because I can), would also give me the ability to upgrade to 10Gig at some point in the future.

Recursion Prime

Posted on by Shaun

Well,

I participated in my first Ingress Anomaly this last weekend.  Recursion Prime in Minneapolis.  I had a blast, although I am out of shape for doing a bunch of short sprints on my mountain bike.  For my next one, if I’m on a bike team again I really need a gravel bike or something like that instead of my mountain bike.  Sadly we lost to the “Enlightened” but oh well.

Fountain Pens

Posted on by Shaun

Well, I have become addicted to fountain pens.  They write much nicer than ball point pens.  So far I’ve been buying them from Massdrop.

I have the an OHTO Rook (they no longer have a Rook FP on the site, looks the same as what I linked) and an OHTO Tasche.  I had two OHTO Dudes on order right now, one blue and one silver.  Ended up reading some bad reviews on them and now I have two Fountain Pen Revolution Indus on order instead.

Sitemap

Posted on by Shaun

Well,

I have been working to update my site for better searching.  I think I now have an XML sitemap for Google ready to go.  However, I’m not 100% sure if it is working yet.

Meraki MX Appliances

Posted on by Shaun

Well, I am starting to get frustrated with Meraki and their MX appliances.  They have been promising to add IPv6 support to them for a while but they have yet to add it.  This is an issue since most cell providers only offer IPv6 address to their phones & hotspots.  This means that I am not able to connect to work via VPN when I am and about.  Also means that I’m unable to connect to home via VPN and also check my personal site’s IPv6 address (I have a MX64 at home that I got for free).  I most definitely will be switching back to Ubiquiti at home once my license has expired for my Meraki gear.

Great Cycle Challenge

Posted on by Shaun

Hi,

This June, I am taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids’ cancer!

My goal is to pedal 100 miles miles throughout the month.

Why am I doing this? Because cancer is the largest killer of children from disease in the United States – 38 children die of cancer every week. It’s awful to think so many young lives are lost to this terrible disease.

Kids should be living life, NOT fighting for it.

To show my support, I am taking on this 30-day challenge to support cancer research and give these kids the brighter futures they deserve.

It will be tough, but it’s nothing compared to what these brave kids face every day as they battle this disease and fight for their lives.

So today, I’m asking for your support.

Please make a donation through my fundraising page to support my challenge and join me in the fight to save little lives.

https://greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/smccloud/b

All funds raised will support Children’s Cancer Research Fund to continue their work to develop innovative treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer.

Thank you so much.

Shaun

Bike Upgrades

Posted on by Shaun

The last major upgrade I have to do on my mountain bike is the fork.  I do need a new derailleur hanger as my current one is bent and causing some minor shifting issues.  I also want to shim the chainring over a bit to help with the driveline angle in the lower gears (1-5) even though it is just inboard of the “ideal” location.  Once I have the fork done, I will then start to save for the remote lockout kit for it and then it will be done until I decide I want a new seat or I wear the tires out.

IMG_0628

Phone & such

Posted on by Shaun

Well,

A couple of weeks ago I managed to drop my phone and break the screen on it.  I’m not at the Apple Store in the Mall of America waiting for them to finish replacing the screen and playing around on a nice shiny new iMac Pro.  I love the screen and the touch pad on it, not sure about the keyboard and mouse yet.  I think the mouse would be ok with its speed turned up.  The keyboard just does not have near enough travel for me….

Great Cycle Challenge

Posted on by Shaun

Hi,

This June, I’m riding in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids’ cancer!

My goal is to ride 79 miles throughout the month.

Why am I doing this? Because cancer is the largest killer of children from disease in the United States – 38 children die of cancer every week.

My challenge will be tough, but it’s nothing compared to what these brave kids face every day of their lives as they battle this terrible disease.

Kids should be living life, NOT fighting for it.

And so I am taking on my own personal challenge to support cancer research and give these kids the brighter futures they deserve…

But I need your help.

Please support my 79 miles challenge to save little lives by making a donation through my fundraising page:

https://greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/smccloud/d

All funds raised will support Children’s Cancer Research Fund to continue their work to develop innovative treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer.

Thank you for your support.

Shaun