Replace one big server with virtualised Linux, with a stack of Pi?

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Forums › Desktop computing › Replace one big server with virtualised Linux, with a stack of Pi?

davidcole

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#239677 29-Jul-2018 17:50

Anyone tried this? I run about 3 Linux, 7 in total if you count a couple of pics I already use for ups, a temp sensor and an openHAB system. The virtualised Linux systems run tt-rss (php + MySQL ), traccar (java + MySQL ), plexpy (python), UniFi controller (java + mongodb), influxdb and Calibre.

I’m thinking about running about 3 pi’s in a stack with an old atx psu for power to remove some dependencies with my “server”. Which can have issues when one of the hard drives start failing.

Anyone tried this? I have one old Pi that’s a 2. And the other 2 I might have a 2 a and b I think.

Previously known as psycik

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SirHumphreyAppleby

2847 posts

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#2064662 29-Jul-2018 19:06

I've found the Pi to be quite picky with SD cards, but otherwise I've had no issues using them in place of virtual or embedded x86 servers. So long as you are aware of the hardware limitations, such as the Ethernet being connected to the USB bus, they can work well in this type of configuration.

I previously ran a Pi 2 as a USB over Ethernet host, and a Pi 3 to output data read from a h.264 encoder to a DVB-T USB dongle.

hio77

12999 posts

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Lizard Networks

#2064663 29-Jul-2018 19:08

You seem to have alot of database related systems there.

I'd not put those on a pi unless you plan to mount a actual disk to go with it.

Write cycles chew out a SD card easily, also IO load would be heavy.

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Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

davidcole

6036 posts

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#2064668 29-Jul-2018 19:25

Yeah if I was doing it I’d be using an old sata hdd.for actual disk rather than SD. Ideally I’ve love to share a 275gb ssd with 3 pi’s without using network

PANiCnz

990 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2066368 1-Aug-2018 15:33

If going down the SBC route id recommend the Rock64 or Odroid XU4 over the Pi due to better IO options.

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