Advice for upcycle build
my home server that does everything died many weeks ago so i've been making due with VASTLY inferior backups that literally haven't received updates in over a decade because the manufacturers stop supported them.
i've rebuilt this server many times from old e-waste i had laying around and my last attempt to solicit feedback on the last rebuild yeilded some VERY useful advice so i'm hoping to lightening strikes twice.
my constraints are that i can only use hardware that i have on hand; with the exception of a motherboard since i don't have a functional one this time around, so i plan on buying one used off of craigslist or one of the many local repair shops.
also: deepseek tells me that this hardware are the only things i have on hand that are compatible with each other (and i'm crossing my fingers in the hopes that some of them still work):
- CPU: socket LGA1200 era Intel Celeron
- RAM: 64 gigs DDR4 3200 on 2 128 pin sticks
- CASE: mini itx steel case
- POWER: ATX standard
- DRIVES: 4 SATA, 1 PATA, 2 NVME
i also have a wifi3 router/ap and a wifi4 router/ap combo boxes; these are the backups i'm currently using and they are crazy slow.
i need this build to do the same thing its predecessor did which were (ranked in order of importance):
- router (i used a pfsense virtual machine last time)
- wifi access point (i last used a wifi nic in AP mode)
- DNS adblocking (i used pfBlockerNG last time)
- live kernel patching (used ubuntu last time)
- vlan segmentation (via pfsense)
- vpn routing (via pfsense)
- jbod drives (aka no raid nor HA and permanently mounted on the host)
- backup capabilities (last used rsync initiated server side to laptops & - gmail)
- per device firewall rules (for the robot vacuum and security cameras)
- IDS & IPS (via pfsense)
- home cloud storage (last used pfsense + nfs + sshfs + ddns)
- multimedia system (last used kodi + old plasma tv)


curbstickle
in reply to Blakemavrix • • •RTFM long predates videos in the internet; at this point I'd actually call it inclusive of videos and guides.
I actually get pretty pissed off when the only guide for a feature beyond a couple lines of "here's what this can do" with no elaboration is just a video. I don't want a video. I want a damn manual with working examples.
But if its all there is, I'll watch it before asking questions. The same should go for people who prefer videos, they should at least try the manual first, or looking at some guides or videos.
What's frustrating for people (generically speaking) is when zero attempt is made in advance of posting questions, and from what I see, is the majority of "RTFM" responses.
eldavi
in reply to Blakemavrix • • •Infamousblt [any]
in reply to Blakemavrix • • •What manual? What part of the manual? What if something happens that the manual didn't cover? What if the manual is out of date or wrong? What if the maintainer of the manual made a mistake?
RTFM works for uncomplicated things and/or is a good starting place but is largely an unproductive thing to say these days in my opinion