Continuation thread (See first comment below for beginning)

Is That a Node in your Server Rack?

...”or are you just happy to parallelize me?”

Now onto the build for the server nodes themselves. These are pretty simple; again I went with the K.I.S.S. method of building here, and using the original HDD Caddies for the DS14MK2, I surface mounted the SBCs using these awesome double-sided adhesive standoffs. This allowed me to get the R-Pis and the like, very very closely surface mounted. This was an important element, since there’s barely enough space width-wise for anything too thick (that’s what she said).

It took me a few iterations to find just the right location within each caddy to mount the SBCs, but I finally got it down to a not-so-exact science. Each caddy/tray now comes with a naked (ripped off the plastic shell) 48vdc -> 5vdc Gigabit Active PoE Splitter, which conveniently has a micro usb charging end for the R-Pi power.

Additionally, some of the nodes also have a “UPS” battery backup system — ahem, basically it’s a USB Powerbank 3200mAh, which gets power from the PoE splitter, and then gives that power to the R-Pi’s. Nothing fancy.

Oh, some of the nodes also have a real fancy Movidius Neural Compute Stick from Intel. Cause, you know. Neural Networks and stuff.

• Each node is a separate unit, which processes data and vomits results back to the main rack server.
  
• Each node has its own UPS, Operating System, and is inter-changeable with others in the array.
  
• Each SBC in the node can be spiffed up with additional hardware, such as a sensor shield/hat (temp, humidity, light sensors, et al).
  
  Note: everything in the caddy gets mounted with heavy duty double-sided adhesive tape. This makes it easier to replace/reposition/remove certain parts if needed later on.
  
  
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This guy works very well for me.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019BLMWWW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Lk.4yb13CSXW0

I have raspberry pi2 and raspberry pi3 running at the moment.
no load balancing.
for my televisions I run koi/rasplex. 1 for each tv. since not every TV is where ethernet runs in my home, I like to use the pi3 for its integrated wifi/bluetooth. the bluetooth also makes remotes very easy as I can use any number of bluetooth keyboard/touchpad combos.

I don't run Raspberry pi game emulators, but I am really considering it as a high def screen replacement for my nintendo wii with home-brew.

I've used LazyLibrarian,Sonarr,sabnzbd,BT clients,generic raspbian for SSH/Socks5 proxy, Octoprint for my 3d printer (the most heavily used pi install in my home).

the PoE solution that I like the most right now is: https://www.amazon.com/microUSB-Splitter-Ethernet-Raspberry-WT-AF-5v10w/dp/B019BLMWWW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467599020&sr=8-1&keywords=pi+PoE

The price point is nice and the form factor is easier to fit to basic raspi cases.


http://www.htpcguides.com has a lot of good examples of pi projects for home media use. A friend of mine uses his pi for a kodi extension called onechannel that scrapes many websites for streaming media. I generally avoid torrents and streaming websites for content as the risk/reward is not where I want to see it for stuff I am already entitled to through my cable provider.

http://www.htpcguides.com/configure-pctv-triplestick-292e-tvheadend-on-raspberry-pi/

tvheadend with an hd homerun prime gets me great network video recorder without any pesky copyright issues (home video recording is legit under fair use). for things that fall outside the capability of my hd homerun, I can use hulu,netflix,amazon prime video, hbo go, etc to fill the gap.

I don't do anything with the pi zero or pre-rj45 on board models as connectivity is a nuisance. the total investment for performance of the pi zero combined with availability just hasn't made sense.

This is what I use for my USB C tablet.

And this is what I use for my Micro USB wall devices

Did you take a look at this instead of a fairly permanent solution like soldering yours on? It's a Zero's worth more than your PoE splitter, but hey, it should work with any RPI

TLDR: OP is simply extolling the virtues of this PoE 5V/2A splitter with micro-USB output ($18, Power-over-Ethernet 802.3af). No questions in there.

PoE is worth considering if you're going to run an Ethernet cable to a "remote" Pi. Too expensive for daily use or if your Pi is remote but connected via WiFi.

I've used these ones, and they work well. They are gigabit, so faster than Fast Ethernet speeds of a Raspberry PI, but I'm hoping a future version will see a bump.

I use these:

Gigabit microUSB PoE Splitter for Remote USB Power over Ethernet to Tablets, Dropcam or Raspberry Pi, Use with PoE Switches, 5 Volts 10 Watts WT-AF-5v10w with male Left and Right Angle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019BLMWWW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_nToSAbSDXH57X

A bit off topic, but we also use these POE injectors:

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https://www.amazon.com/microUSB-Raspberry-WT-AF-5v10w-Right-Angle/dp/B019BLMWWW

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No warnings, and prbly been almost 2 years running.

I am sorry, I don't know exactly what they use, but I know there are products out there, fairly easy to find. https://www.amazon.com/microUSB-Splitter-Ethernet-Raspberry-WT-AF-5v10w/dp/B019BLMWWW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466715362&sr=8-1&keywords=raspberry+pi+poe

If you don't care about having a usable ethernet port, https://store.ui.com/products/instant-802-3af-to-usb-adaptor


Otherwise, something like the other people posted. I use this one https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B019BLMWWW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 to power and provide networking to a Raspberry Pi. Although it was much cheaper when I bought it...

> Poe raspberry pi

Okay, it is possible but requires a hat. Most of those are too tall to fit in the bay. This one might be good if it actually existed and someone was selling it. This is an option though and could be made to fit in the enclosure. Only thing left is some sort of quick connect for the Ethernet.

I have that injector for cameras and it works well, though for cameras I wish I just had a Poe switch. For your application it should work much better.


That same company makes USB splitters that would be what you need to power it at the sensor side.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019BLMWWW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_18eFybEAT1HWF

I've been using these at distances up to probably 500+ft reliably:
https://www.amazon.com/microUSB-Splitter-Ethernet-Raspberry-WT-AF-5v10w/dp/B019BLMWWW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1467925601&sr=8-2&keywords=usb+poe+splitter

before there were raspberry pies, i used DreamPlugs for this purpose. i'd send one to customer with network problems and let it monitor the network and periodically send me diagnostics data.

i'd also use it to ssh in via openvpn and perform manual scans, maintenance, etc. these days, i'd just use raspi for that. much cheaper and not as outdated.

you'll need something like this too:
http://www.amazon.com/Splitter-Ethernet-MicroUSB-Raspberry-WT-AF-5v10w/dp/B019BLMWWW

edit: there are much nicer and smaller poe to microusb splitters, i'm just too lazy to search now. i bought mine for 5 EUR and it is absolutely tiny. just search the usual dodgy places like dealextreme, aliexpress, banggood, etc..

If that cable is CAT5 or better you could just do PoE to this box with something like this and a PoE switch on the other end of it.

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https://www.amazon.com/microUSB-Raspberry-WT-AF-5v10w-Right-Angle/dp/B019BLMWWW

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Edit: Also, the Ring Keypad can run up to 7 months w/o a charge. I installed my Ring alarm system last weekend and as of right now, have no intention of running power to the keypad.