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Mikrotik - Backup Script (To Git)

Problem: I have a handful of Mikrotik RouterOS based devices, and I would like a source-controlled versioning solution.

Solution: A simple bash script, with a cron job.

This post, provides a script, which allows automated backups of mikrotik configuration over ssh, from a linux host.

Proxmox: Using ZFS over iSCSI with Unraid

So, recently I decided to acquire a new Lenovo P520, which will be for running Unraid. Before, My unraid ran as a VM on my r730XD.

Now- it is bare metal on the P520, with a MD1200 disk shelf for its 3.5" HDDs.

One of my goals, I wanted to transition some of my VMs to leverage ZFS storage, hosted on this box.

This post goes through the steps of configuring Proxmox to leverage ZFS over iSCSI, hosted on Unraid.

Learning about how a computer works and about electronics

Want to learn about how a computer works?

Not- at a high level....

But, at a very, very low level, where you literally build a functional computer from transistors.

If so- this is a list of resources which I have found extremely handy for myself.

Also, because ADHD.... there is also a list of automation centric games, channels involving lasers, plasma, etc.

Mikrotik - Route specific websites or hosts through VPN.

This post outlines how to accomplish the following activities:

  1. Creating an interface for a remote wireguard VPN connection to an upstream VPN provider.
  2. Forcing specific websites over VPN via Destination IP or DNS.
  3. Forcing specific hosts over VPN via Source IP.
  4. Route ALL traffic over VPN.
  5. Blocking traffic if VPN is down.

Will changing the link speed of your current NIC, affect Power Consumption?

For me- I have 100G NICs in my SFFs. I don't need the full throughput.

So- will reducing the link speed, impact power consumption?

For this post- I will benchmark and determine the impact.

DIN Mount Network Closet - Part 1 - Building the frame

So... Near the end of 2024, I ended up cleaning up my rack, and making everything nice and tidy.

If- you missed that, have a look at the 2024 Homelab Summary

For the next problem- my networking closet is an absolute disaster.

There are wires hanging everywhere... There are switches, and cables everywhere... its a mess.

Picture of cables hanging everywhere before

I plan on building a frame, with DIN rails for mounting all of this hardware.

I see tons of racks. I see tons of mini racks. I rarely see DIN-mounted networking.

Part 1, is building the frame which will hold all of the components.

This is all wood and construction. Nothing technical.

Guide: Proxmox - Delete "data" thinpool and extend root partition

Have... a full root partition on proxmox?

root@kube02:~# df -h
Filesystem                            Size  Used Avail Use% Mounted on
udev                                  126G     0  126G   0% /dev
tmpfs                                  26G   21M   26G   1% /run
/dev/mapper/pve-root                   94G   94G     0 100% /

Confused because your boot disk is much larger in size?

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Well, its because Proxmox by default, partitions the root disk with LVM, Regardless if you are using it to store data.

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This post detail completely removing the data partition and extending the root partition

Edgemax - Auto sync configuration to git

Many years ago, I had setup a system which would automatically sync my Edgemax's configuration to a local git repo.

It worked so good, I had completely forgotten about it. During a firmware update last year, it had stopped working.

So- I went through, fixed and updated the scripts- and I am now sharing them with you.

My history with Unraid & TrueNAS

I have swapped between Unraid, and TrueNAS a few times over the years.

Often, I stumble upon threads asking... Should I use Unraid? SHould I use TrueNAS?? Which one?!?

Well- I'm not going to tell you which one to use. Rather- I will give you the reason I personally use Unraid.

2024 Network Revamp

This month's goal, is to update the network to provide isolation, and separation between LAN subnets, and my server subnets.

Aka, if I go unplug my rack of servers- The internet should remain unaffected for members in my household.

Windows 11 - Restore Old Context Menu

Want the old right-click context menu back?

Copy/paste the below script into an administrative command prompt. Thats it.

:: Set "Old" Explorer Context Menu as Default
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /ve /f

:: Remove Explorer "Command Bar"
reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}\InprocServer32" /f /ve

:: Restart Windows Explorer. (Applies the above settings without needing a reboot)
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe

:: Empty Comment (Prevents you from having to press "enter" to execute the line to restart explorer.exe)

Surge Protection - Entire Home, Rack-Only, etc.

A few months back, I noticed one of my ESP32s, got smoked during a few nasty thunderstorms.

And- it got me thinking- what happens if a large surge hits my house?

Is, it going to smoke my fridge? My TV? How about my server rack full of expensive gear?

So- I went on a project to upgrade the surge protection for my house.

Vertiv rPDU - A reasonably priced, 120v, individually switched and metered PDU.

For years- I have been using a combination of Sonoff S31 Plugs and a Kasa HS300 Strip to monitor, and measure my power consumption.

This- allowed me to fully visualize my rack's power consumption, into a sankey diagram.

However- the form-factor of neither solution was ideal, and as my rack has become nearly full, I needed a better solution as PDUs filled with smart-plugs, isn't exactly ideal.

The issue is, there are not many 120v PDUs, for a 24U rack. As a matter of fact, there are not many zero-U PDUs at all for 24U racks.

But- I finally found an option, for a fully managed PDU, with INDIVIDUALLY metered and switched outlets, which CAN2 plug into a standard 120v outlet.

Synology Multipath SMB, and iSCSI

So... normally when you want faster networking, you can just upgrade to faster NICs (10g, 25, 40, 50, 100g.. etc...).

However, in the case of my Synology DS423+, you get, two 1G ethernet ports with no expansion.

You would think the best course of action, would be to leverage LACP- however that is NOT the case.

Enabling Multichannel can double the amount of bandwidth per client, where as LACP, depending on hashing, only gives benefit up to the performance of one port.

This post details how to enable multipath for SMB, and how to configure iSCSI on linux with multiple paths.