This thin client device works for IPFire with no problems going on now for 5 months.
Dell Wyse 5070 N11D (Slim); Intel Pentium Silver J5005 1.5GHz Quad-core CPU, UEFI boot with possible CSM; 8GB SSD RAM; 32GB M.2 SATA SSD Storage; single on-board NIC (expandable); first released beginning of 2018; very recent support EOL; crazy amount of connectivity on the box.
TWO NICS
1st NIC - Integrated onboard - Realtek rtl8111F, 10Mb/100Mb/1Gb RJ45
2nd NIC - Add-on - Winyao 8111-M2-C & 8125-M2-C with ribbon and jack - generic RTL8111F & RTL8125B (from DFRobot FIT0798) [specs available for easy 3D-print of back panel fitting for second RJ45 Ethernet port]
Suitable for small LAN supporting office work.
Multiple video traffic streams no problem. Running IPS etc. Temperature steady default around 37° C, but under load during work day covers between 42° C and 45° C.
Price is very affordable at about $140 total CAD all-in (~ $ $100 USD). Still lots of 5070 devices available from off-lease market.
Anyone purchasing the device might want to select models with SSD storage versus eMMC. Interesting to compare versus mini-PCs.
OTHER USE CASE? I understand that other people have put IPFire on a Raspberry Pi and other small devices. From the larger perspective of IPFire economics I wonder if this opens possibilities at the edge? Managing access to fleets of IOT devices?
You’re right Shaun, but because I’m behind my ISP’s modem, I just needed two copper RJ45 Ethernet jacks, based on our simple topology. (Yes, yes, double natting ) I am planning on putting in a managed switch for some VLANs.
Adding the second NIC just requires ensuring that the UEFI BIOS has the Wi-Fi turned on - because the Wi-Fi M.2 A+E key slot is where you pop in the second Ethernet adapter. I picked up the PCIe X1 1GB adapter with ribbon to jack for about $20 and 30 days delivery.
Right now the ribbon is just hanging out the back through the punch out - because I haven’t gotten around to printing the fitting yet. There is a nice STL design for exactly the situation.
This resource was super helpful:
I’m curious if in the HVAC business you are using IPFire and/or repurposed thin clients to perform any systems control?
Long time Linux desktop user.Started with Ubuntu 7.04.
Mostly a linux hobbiest, I would say.
Started with running a linux file server.
Using a thin client PC for Homeassistant, Ran pihole on one for awhile,
Retro Gaming emulator, one as a PBX.
Probably going to set up Olama as voice control at some point.
for my Homeassistant.
My end up using one as my desktop..
And Parkytower.me.uk is a Great resource..
Bravo there is a lot of creation there. I should check out Home Assistant - we’re not doing anything like that in the home yet here. I just had a gander at it and it looks really cool. As for distros, I did Ubuntu for a while and now I am with OpenSUSE. May I ask what thin clients you are using?
HP T630
I flashed the img onto a m.2 sata ssd using a adapter.
To use Homeassistant. have a USB adadper for Zwave and Zigbee.
Easier than exposing it in a docker container.
I like thin clients for small projects. I feel they are cheaper than a Rasberry PI and they are x86.
This is so interesting to hear Shaun. The validation of Thin Client x86 as capable and more affordable than Raspberry Pi is great. I felt I was really stepping out there with the 5070. But I liked it so much I got another one.
Funny, Feisty Fawn was my first exposure to linux as well. I completely converted to linux desktop from 2007 to about 2011. Then I switched back to Windows full time. I still use linux when the job calls for it (file server, ftp server, malware analysis). My distro of choice after Ubuntu ditched Gnome 2 is MX with Xfce.
I"ve use xfce, great on old laptops.
When Ubuntu change there desktop environment. I switched to Fedora.
Using Mint MATE these days.
There was a feature missing in xfce that was easier with Gnome.
My server is running UnRAID. Years ago ran what is now Xignas.
Messing around with CT’s on a Proxmox server.
Amazing! I’m still running a XigmaNAS box but I’m converting to TrueNAS with ZFS. And before XigmasNAS I ran its predecessor, as you know NAS4FREE (and its predecessor too … ) I’m curious what you think about ECC RAM, for file servers? (I’m not running it.)
I also have two Proxmox servers running for testing, one on a 5070. It would be my dream if I could deploy a regular desktop such as Windows on a virtual machine and not have to worry about the machine blowing up anymore. And for other members of the crew as well especially. Haven’t learned enough about licensing yet for Windows.
And then of course you’d want to have the Proxmox Backup Server too. And now you’re getting into serious sysadmin work and even security concerns.
) I am planning on putting in a managed switch for some VLANs.