# CUBE In order to vet this project, complete the ideas in [[TuringPi]] first. - [ ] #project #cube-lab assuming all the above worked, start designing a CUBE mini rack. It should include: - a 5U rack that's 222mm deep or a 6U rack that's 260mm deep. - TuringPi cluster (in an ITX enclosure, probably 2U full depth) - framework 13 mainboard? (if I can get it repaired) - LattePanda? - home assistant - a managed network switch - start with the unmanaged one i have - then buy one like the [L009UiGS-RM](https://mikrotik.com/product/l009uigs_rm) ([$120](https://www.streakwave.com/mikrotik-l009uigs-rm-8xgb-8011afat)) - [JetKVM](https://jetkvm.com/) ([$69](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jetkvm/jetkvm?ref=5sxcqi)) (backed 2025-02-28) - since this controls 1 computer I probably should make an expansion card that triggers a regular KVM between the various nodes in the rack. - screen for local operations - it's not a o'scope cathode is it? https://scopeclock.com/products/scope-clock-in-clear-plastic-case?variant=41204675805379 - screen for monitoring node performance - keyboard - daisy? atreus? - something with a builtin pointer? - pointing device - arc mouse is small, could slot in somewhere - ploopy nano, except it doesn't have buttons - PDU... - heat management - vent panels: https://www.reddit.com/r/minilab/comments/1j7e6as/10_inch_3d_printable_vents_and_40mm_fan_bays/ - [ ] #homelab then do something with the QNAP NAS - second minilab, but less CUBE? - put the drives in a different arrangement? - should have [NUT](https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2025/nut-on-my-pi-so-my-servers-dont-die) or some other "safe shutdown in emergency power-out" system - [ ] #homelab sell the big rack, UPS, PDU, drawer, shelf, and patch-bay - [ ] #project #cube-lab Open a bunch of new tabs from https://youtu.be/X4blR5Ua3S0?si=ngQMM3NhXmmHPcWW - CM5 might be drop-in replacement for CM4 - RK1 is a beast and I should fill the TuringPi cluster with those - other clustering boards exist like a thin one from deskpi - there's a cool [eMMC programming stick by Nebra](https://www.nebra.com/products/nebra-raspberry-pi-cm4-flash-stick) - computeblade.com looks awesome, but hasn't shipped yet - https://www.willwhang.dev/Miniature-CM4-Cluster/ - https://clusterhat.com/ - https://pipci.jeffgeerling.com/ - https://github.com/JaredC01/LabStack - https://hackergadgets.com/products/nvme-and-poe-hat-for-raspberry-pi-5 ## other nodes I don't know what other resources the lab needs, but I can't help myself thinking about these anyway. - I have a framework 13 mainboard that may be broken somehow (see private doc [[20250310 rackmounted framework mainboard]]) - I have two macbook air laptops I could repurpose to be headless servers. They're already so thin, and don't expect active cooling! - I also have [[Helm-v1]], whose main draw is its enclosure/heatsink anyway - A ton of RPi 3A+ left over from [[LeucoSpex]], but clustering those without a ton of cables will be difficult? And I don't know if my limiting factor is CPU anyway. Let's put a pin in this. - The [Turing Mini ITX Case](https://turingpi.com/product/turing-mini-itx-case/) is 240mm wide. A 10" rack is 222.25mm inside clearance. It's also 100mm tall, so needs 3U (133.5mm), but I could install a 3U shelf and grind away some of the rails? Center-to-center on the outer two holes of a 3U shelf is 120.65mm, so I could have three screws per side even. Nah, 3U is too much to give up when the same board in a different chassis can be 2U instead. - $200 this [DeskPi Super6C](https://deskpi.com/products/deskpi-super6c-raspberry-pi-cm4-cluster-mini-itx-board-6-rpi-cm4-supported) holds 6 compute modules flat to the motherboard (with 6 M.2 2280 slots (PCIe Gen 2 x1)) - (100W power supply included!) - $39 it fits on a 1U shelf ([DeskPi has one of those](https://deskpi.com/products/deskpi-rackmate-accessory-mini-itx-shell?variant=44565523202204#3)) - $57 it fits in a case, which might also fit on the shelf ([DeskPi has that too](https://deskpi.com/collections/deskpi-super6c/products/deskpi-itx-case-kit-for-deskpi-super6c-raspberry-pi-cm4-cluster-mini-itx-board#2)) - (fans and CM heat sinks included!) - $510 (6) CM5 8GB RAM, 32GB eMMC ([pishop](https://www.pishop.us/product/raspberry-pi-compute-module-5-8gb-ram-32gb-emmc-cm5008032/)) - $1090 (6) 2TB PCIe Gen 3.0 x4 SSDs ([newegg](https://www.newegg.com/samsung-970-evo-plus-2tb/p/N82E16820147744)) - board + shelf + case + 6\*CM5 = $806 - [ ] #project #cube-lab change out teenage engineering case for a 2U rackmount case with good airflow ([this one](https://www.myelectronics.nl/us/10-inch-2u-mini-itx-case.html)? 3d-print one?) ## kvm research [One build](https://github.com/geerlingguy/mini-rack/issues/11) uses - PiKVM and an EZCOO switch for controlling all machines - Remote access via Tailscale installed on PiKVM A JetKVM ([website](https://jetkvm.com/), [kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jetkvm/jetkvm?ref=5sxcqi)) for $69 does this "remotely" but I also wonder if... can each instance just allow some RDP on it? and then I need an RDP client locally. hmm ## rail thoughts I would love to use R20 rail from teenage engineering. That has hole spacing at 25mm. The pieces that ship with the field desk come in 26-hole and 31-hole lengths. I'm assuming for this that I have to buy in these lengths only. Conclusion: I've saved a draft email to teenage engineering with a parts list. I expect it to cost maybe $1200. ### R20-A10/V The A10 clamp could be placed vertically to connect each rack vertical, and take up 1 "U" of space overall but allow for the outside rails to be right up against the server racks horizontally. This results in a cube of R20 with a side length of 254mm. Each of the 12 rail sides is 254mm, which would be cut from 11 holes-worth of R20. I can manage this using (6) lengths of 26-holes each. 0.92h + 10.16h + 0.84 + 10.16h + 0.92h = 23h I can fit (2) rails in each 26-hole length, so I need (6) 26-hole lengths for a total of (12) rails ### R20-A10/H If I need more room around the racks (for ventilation), I can bump the rails out by putting the A10 clamps horizontally. This will require that I either put gaps between my Us, or cause the racks to be wider than the standard (need to fit full 15.9mm ears on the racks). So say that I bump the clamps out, so the rail side length is now 308mm, or 12.32 holes. 0.84h + 12.32h + 0.68 + 12.32h + 0.84 = 27 holes d'oh! so I can get (2) rails in each 31-hole length, so I need (6) 31-hole lengths for a total of 12 rails. ### R20/A20? Maybe A10 clamps aren't sturdy enough, or look weird or something? If I use A20 clamps, I'd modify them by chopping off the outer hole in the flange, and use the inner hole on an existing server rack hole. This puts the distance from the outer edge of the server rack to the inner edge of the R20 at 31.5625mm. Cube side length is now 317.125mm or 12.685h. 0.6575h + 12.685h + 0.315h + 12.685h + 0.6575h = 27 holes ``` |6575- -3425|-12.-|3425- (.315h or 7.875mm) -3425|-12.-|3425- -6575| ``` so I can also do this plan with (6) 31-hole lengths ### R20 asym In the above designs, I've assumed that I'll need to have a part custom made (PCBWay CNC or metal-sintering?) that joins each corner together. But what if I want to use A20 clamps to join the rails together? I can probably use the same overall cut lists, but some rails will be reduced by 2h, and some increased by 2h (4 increases, 8 decreases). Then the only question is if 2 A20 clamps can co-habitate on a single rail end. I'm willing to take that chance ### just buy the field desk I could almost get by with an order of (1) standard field desk. A few issues: - I would need (8) more A20 clamps, or to design and fabricate my own replacement A20 clamp (3D-printing is probably strong enough for this) - I can find something to do with the birch ply with formica surface, but like...it's not something I need, so I'd rather not pay to have that shipped to me. - I'd end up with extra R10 rail (again, I can find a use for it, but it's a premium product so this seems wasteful) But otherwise, the R20 rail that ships with the desk is enough to build a cube up to 355mm on the inside (assuming something like the A20 clamp adds 50mm to some of the edges)