Tranquilli.org

mini-itx fanless home server and nas storage

In the process of upgrading my home network, I’ve just picked

- a new NAS, Netgear ReadyNAS Duo, with 1.5TB+1.5TB disks in x-raid configuration (netgear’s raid1 with dynamic exapansion); this is replacing my older Maxtor Shared Storage II

- a fanless CPU/Motherboard, Intel D510MO with Intel’s next-gen Pine Trail Atom processor, as my (always-on) mini-itx linux home server; it replaced an old (unstable) VIA C7+Jetway mobo

ReadyNAS Duo storage server

I use the ReadyNAS Duo to provide redundant/scalable storage to CIFS/AFP and NFS clients, for local/remote backups (rsync for Unix , Time Machine for Apple clients) and media streaming as well. Videos, music and pictures can be streamed to any uPnP/DLNA client on local net (an EVA2000 internet set-top box connected to the TV,  the iPhone…  a future Squeezebox) or iTunes clients (through FireFly straming server).

mini-itx case

The Home Server

The linux based home server will do its work as usual:

- development/testbed server, rsynced to a production VPS in the cloud, for personal hobby/projects
- Asterisk PBX for my voip phones
- OpenVPN endpoint for remote access to the home lan
- SSL tunneling for some home devices (e.g.. imap/ssl access from voip phone)
- mysql server
- monitoring (I’m going to try Zenoss) and usage statistics (mrtg, webalizer)

Okay, packing up some gear for a 6 days vacation in Paris next week!!

We rented a beautiful apartment 5m walk to Eiffel tower. We’re visiting most of the popular attractions that this beautiful city has to offer.. Montmartre, the Latin quarter, La Conciergerie, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, a boat tour of the seine… and of course bring our 5 y-o kid to Disneyland ;-)..

For the first time I’ll be leaving my notebook at home but the owner has assured me that there’s a laptop with internet connection in the apartment… good for late night emails, photo uploads and vacation planning while staying there…

I think I’ll be shooting RAW+JPG so that I can post some (unprocessed) images without the need of a raw converter before I get back home.

taken on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:23:08pm (CEST)
[ NIKON D70s; 18 mm @ f/3.5 @ 1/40th @ 500 ISO ; metering: Manual, Center-weighted average ]

Jun 25 update: bathtub video test

For the coming summer season I just bought this cheap waterproof (5m/15ft) case: the Aquapac 404.

For less than 30€, the 404 is small enough to fit my Vado HD camcorder, my mobile phone (does 3G work for some Qik realtime streaming underwater ?!?) or my p&s camera.

The product comes with an adjustable neckcord, 5 dessiccant sachets (to help absorb any condensation in the air inside the case) and a three-year global warranty.

Aquapac sells waterproof cases for everything and at reasonable prices, go take a look at their sizing guide.

After some bubble tests here at home I’m hopefully using it on the beach in a couple of weeks!

taken on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:45:41pm (CEST)
[ NIKON D300; 17 mm @ f/2.8 @ 1/1000th @ 200 ISO ; metering: Auto, Multi-segment ]

taken on Sun, 31 May 2009 10:20:32am (CEST)
[ NIKON D300; 50 mm @ f/1.8 @ 1/250th @ 200 ISO ; metering: Manual, Center-weighted average ]

I’ve been drooling over this expensive Nikon pro-grade fixed f/2.8 zoom lens for a while and I finally got one.
First impressions: stellar wide open performance at all focal lengths as promised, nice pleasant bokeh, focus fast even in dim light, beautiful color rendition and contrast, tack sharp. The only cons so far is the stiff zoom ring.

taken on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:59:28pm (CET)

This gadget is the new Creative Vado HD. I just got one in the mail today

It has excellent HD (H.264 / 720p30 / 8.5Mbps) video quality for the price ($200), and most online services (FB, YouTube, Vimeo, etc) are finally hosting HD videos!

Google returns tens of reviews about it vs its two competitors (the Flip Mino HD and Kodak Zi6).


The Creative Vado HD doesn’t seem to be available here in Europe yet, I ordered mine from Singapore.

www.myvado.com/

taken on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:40:52pm (CET)
Click image to Play Video

Just got a Solmeta N1+ gps for my D300
- Camera phone upload powered by ShoZu

I got the 80-200 f/2.8 AF D. This pro level lens has excellent bokeh and is tack sharp at any aperture but shows way more color fringing than the cheaper 70-300VR I’ve been using for the last couple of years.
- Camera phone upload powered by Shozu

bought a Nikon D300 , my old D70s will serve as a backup now

(this is my first non-Nikkor lens… the Nikkor 28mm f1/4D was way too expensive at over €2000)

This new 20×21x4.4cm fanless mini-itx server, based on a VIA C7 Esther processor, is now doing his job for the Statr for Flickr project.
Thanks to all for the donations

the VR II (Nikon Vibration Reduction) function is really outstanding, I can shoot at 1/30s or even 1/15s @ 300mm without a tripod !

This seems to be one of the most viewed pic on my photostream,
see the rest too!

my Suunto S6 watch

my Asterisk installation on NSLU2 is now up&running !

A classic