something to consider with making a home multi-machine network is the small size and relative performance of Nettops (dual core with Hyper-threading and a Gforce 9200 with 2gb ram in a form factor of a largish paperback.

alternatively would be to look at the size/shape of printer carts and 2u-3u cases from Compucase, and essentially convert a regular desk into a desk and integrated rack. but for most home users unless developers or higher end geeks this combination is unlikely to catch on. (although media servers in high end homes can catch on if you want to research Linux MCE).

I have planned and thought about allot of these designs and can give you some really good bits to look at if you want to go on. but if whatever you produce does not become a real space saver and look at least somewhat aesthetically pleasing it is likely to not be very popular. contact me off list if you want and we can discuss this more.


On Thu, Aug 5, 2010 at 12:44 PM, keith smith <klsmith2020@yahoo.com> wrote:

Okay, so lets go another route.  I could make do with two laptops.  I would like a little more.  Raid 1 for my Linux Dev Box.  So two desktop boxes would work.  Then I could just stack one on the other, add a KVM and I get about the same effect.

I have all towers now however that is because that is how they come from Dell.  When I used to build my own I used to always use desktop cases to maximize the room and to lift my monitor up a few more inches.  My monitor could be higher, by about 4 inches.

------------------------
Keith Smith

--- On Thu, 8/5/10, Nadim Hoque <nadimhoque@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Nadim Hoque <nadimhoque@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: OT : Small home rack
To: "Main PLUG discussion list" <plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us>
Date: Thursday, August 5, 2010, 12:08 PM


So I also agree with towers instead of racks. My ex-roomate had a 2 u rack server and was loud and sounded like a leaf blower. Now if you go with a 1u then storage will also be an issue because of the height (and i think 4 drives at most). With towers, as brian said, are much quieter and if you get a server type case, then you can fit a lot more drives in the machine before resorting to external raid device. With that said, i do have a tower myself and am quiet content with it with the noise and performance. Another thing to note is that it is easier to add add-on cards to the machine such as a raid controller or lan card.

On Thu, Aug 5, 2010 at 11:46 AM, keith smith <klsmith2020@yahoo.com> wrote:

That is an interesting idea I have toyed with.  Reduces the amount of floor space taken up in a home office.


------------------------
Keith Smith

--- On Thu, 8/5/10, Eric Shubert <ejs@shubes.net> wrote:

From: Eric Shubert <ejs@shubes.net>
Subject: Re: OT : Small home rack
To: plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
Date: Thursday, August 5, 2010, 11:34 AM


Like yourself, I expect that most geeky types would prefer to "roll their own".

Personally, I have 4 VM hosts (1 prod, 3 test/devel) in my closet (literally). They're on shelves with the rear facing out. They all run headless most of the time, but I have a monitor and kb I can easily attach when there's a problem. I've also wired the closet with appropriate power (UPS for prod) and networking. Everything's out of sight, very quiet, and relatively low power consumption. I also added a vent at the top of the closet to allow whatever heat to dissipate.

-- -Eric 'shubes'

keith smith wrote:
>
> I'm thinking of building my own computers from now on.  I use two computers for LAMP dev and was thinking that a small rack made out of angle iron might do the job.  Add a KVM switch and I use a lot less room.
>
> ------------------------
> Keith Smith
>
> --- On *Thu, 8/5/10, Eric Shubert /<ejs@shubes.net>/* wrote:
>
>
>     From: Eric Shubert <ejs@shubes.net>
>     Subject: Re: OT : Small home rack
>     To: plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
>     Date: Thursday, August 5, 2010, 11:04 AM
>
>     keith smith wrote:
>      >
>      > Hi,
>      >
>      > I was wondering if there would be a need or market for a small
>     simple rack for home use.  Maybe one that would hold three 4-U (or
>     eight 2-U) rack mount servers.  I'm thinking it would stand about 3
>     ft.  I would think there would be a need for wheels on the bottom or
>     a way to swivel the servers to get to the back.
>      >
>      > Any thoughts?
>      >
>      > ------------------------
>      > Keith Smith
>      >
>      >
>
>     I think that a tower would suffice in SB/home environments. With
>     virtual hosts, of course. ;) I'm personally using an old
>     (retired/reprovisioned) P4 SFF workstation (w/ 5 VM guests) as a server.
>
>     -- -Eric 'shubes'
>
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>


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--
Nadim Hoque
Computer Systems Engineering
The School of Computing, Informatics and Decision Systems Engineering
cell: 480-518-6235
nadimhoque@gmail.com

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A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

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