#building hardware

[beatcroc]

hey mecha, do you think you could beat metal sonic in a 1v1

[depresseddepot]

literally the only thing my dad does is hurt his back and yell. how am I supposed to buy a gift for someone like that

[tazmiilly]

the comic with fiddlefords rubix cube cage made me think "haha like a saw trap" and then i thought about it for one second longer and um. john kramer is also an old guy who builds weird machines. and now im imagining a scenario in which they interact and fidds is put in a saw trap for whatever reason but nothing happens to him because he just dismantles it. and john and amanda are watching the video feed like 😦

i know like. NOTHING about saw, but its really funny to imagine him just taking everything apart. he stuffs all the hardware into his comically sized pockets and walks away.

[spark-hearts2]

QUESTION TWO:

SWITCH BOXES. you said that’s what monitors the connections between systems in the computer cluster, right? I assume it has software of its own but we don’t need to get into that, anyway, I am so curious about this— in really really large buildings full of servers, (like multiplayer game hosting servers, Google basically) how big would that switch box have to be? Do they even need one? Would taking out the switch box on a large system like that just completely crash it all?? While I’m on that note, when it’s really large professional server systems like that, how do THEY connect everything to power sources? Do they string it all together like fairy lights with one big cable, or??? …..the voices……..THE VOICES GRR

I’m acending (autism)

ALRIGHT! I'm starting with this one because the first question that should be answered is what the hell is a server rack?

Once again, long post under cut.

So! The first thing I should get out of the way is what is the difference between a computer and a server. Which, is like asking the difference between a gaming console and a computer. Or better yet, the difference between a gaming computer and a regular everyday PC. Which is... that they are pretty much the same thing! But if you game on a gaming computer, you'll get much better performance than on a standard PC. This is (mostly) because a gaming computer has a whole separate processor dedicated to processing graphics (GPU). A server is different from a PC in the same way, it's just a computer that is specifically built to handle the loads of running an online service. That's why you can run a server off a random PC in your closet, the core components are the same! (So good news about your other question. Short answer, yes! It would be possible to connect the hodgepodge of computers to the sexy server racks upstairs, but I'll get more into that in the next long post)

But if you want to cater to hundreds or thousands of customers, you need the professional stuff. So let's break down what's (most commonly) in a rack setup, starting with the individual units (sometimes referred to just as 'U').

Short version of someone setting one up!

18 fucking hard drives. 2 CPUs. How many sticks of ram???

Holy shit, that's a lot. Now depending on your priorities, the next question is, can we play video games on it? Not directly! This thing doesn't have a GPU so using it to render a video game works, but you won't have sparkly graphics with high frame rate. I'll put some video links at the bottom that goes more into the anatomy of the individual units themselves.

I pulled this screenshot from this video rewiring a server rack! As you can see, there are two switch boxes in this server rack! Each rack gets their own switch box to manage which unit in the rack gets what. So it's not like everything is connected to one massive switch box. You can add more capacity by making it bigger or you can just add another one! And if you take it out then shit is fucked. Communication has been broken, 404 website not found (<- not actually sure if this error will show).

So how do servers talk to one another? Again, I'll get more into that in my next essay response to your questions. But basically, they can talk over the internet the same way that your machine does (each server has their own address known as an IP and routers shoot you at one).

POWER SUPPLY FOR A SERVER RACK (finally back to shit I've learned in class) YOU ARE ASKING IF THEY ARE WIRED TOGETHER IN SERIES OR PARALLEL! The answer is parallel. Look back up at the image above, I've called out the power cables. In fact, watch the video of that guy wiring that rack back together very fast. Everything on the right is power. How are they able to plug everything together like that? Oh god I know too much about this topic do not talk to me about transformers (<- both the electrical type and the giant robots). BASICALLY, in a data center (place with WAY to many servers) the building is literally built with that kind of draw in mind (oh god the power demands of computing, I will write a long essay about that in your other question). Worrying about popping a fuse is only really a thing when plugging in a server into a plug in your house.

Links to useful youtube videos

How does a server work? (great guide in under 20 min)

Rackmount Server Anatomy 101 | A Beginner's Guide (more comprehensive breakdown but an hour long)

DATA CENTRE 101 | DISSECTING a SERVER and its COMPONENTS! (the guy is surrounded by screaming server racks and is close to incomprehensible)

What is a patch panel? (More stuff about switch boxes- HOLY SHIT there's more hardware just for managing the connection???)

Data Center Terminologies (basic breakdown of entire data center)

Networking Equipment Racks - How Do They Work? (very informative)

Funny

[matt-barber58]

An Old Latch

(latest attempt..)

[art-of-mathematics]

I made a lego case for my Raspberry Pi4 with fan hat and 3.5" LCD touchscreen module (that is attached with a flatwire to the Raspi-fan hat combination).

- - -- --- -----

Yesterday's version of the Raspi case without the screen part:

(the top lid can be opened)

[carbonateddelusion]

[buzzing with autistic energy] Edgar ,,, ,

[firstchoiceindustrialblog]

Essential Power Tools to Boost Your Workshop Efficiency

Upgrade your workshop with essential power tools. From drills and saws to sanders and grinders, our top-quality tools are designed to enhance your productivity and precision. Whether you're a professional or a DIY enthusiast, find the perfect equipment to tackle any task easily. Boost efficiency with power tools from First Choice Industrial today!

[coffinlid]

Opportunities keep falling into my lap and I think it’s crazy how #blessed I am. I was scrambling for a place to live after the breakup and the funeral home was like “hey lol btw we have an empty apartment above this other location” ……………………….,,….

Reader, rent is $200 and I don’t have to pay utilities. WHAT??? And my friends that I’ve made in this state are jumping up to help me clean the place before I move in and donate furniture or whatever I may need. This is crazy. Never have things fallen so perfectly in place for me before. GOOD THINGS COMING!!!!!

[borgeslabyrinth]

Ah, the familiar rage that one always feels towards the husband in a horror novel. I would simply tear this man apart limb by limb.

[unfuck-your-tech]

Unfuck your Tech

The Internet is increasingly profit-based in its design, intended to extract the maximum amount of value from your use of it. Proprietary tech, ads, monetization, algorithmic content dissemination, digital rights media (DRM) etc. are all things that benefit corporations, but that make the Internet more hostile to real individuals and communities.

This blog shares community-oriented tools, free alternatives to paid content, and ways for healthier more human media consumption with a focus on free open-source software (FOSS), that anyone can use to remove limiters, paywalls, ads, mindless endless content feeds, and take back digital autonomy, self-respect and fulfillment.

Unfuck your technology, and make your digital landscape a kinder place.

Header image made in aeCAD, a FOSS circuit board design tool.

[the-dubstep-strawberry]

Dear AI Scrapers and other fic-stealing assholes...

That is all.

[tilapiamafia]

havent posted any metal in a while have some metal

in order

1 - hair clip prototype based on 18th century pipe tongs that i am spending Way Too Long On Filing Holy Shit

2 - Ring!

3 - Ring !

4 - attempt at reproducing an element on Cyril Colniks masterpiece. I didnt quite get it right but still neat.

5 - pendant and broach pin! my first pieces of jewelry

6 - wonky flower(?) sculpture i started when we didn’t have the right metal to do my damn classwork. still gotta finish it up.

[electricpurrs]

MY COMPUTER IS HERE!!!!!!! ITS HERE ITS HERE ITS HERE!!! WOOOOOOOOOOO

[sikawie]

I built my first PC!

Here's a video where I'm assembling the motherboard and installing it in the case- plugging each component was too complicated to record though sooo I didn't include the cable management part whoopsies

I actually built it in December before my exam period so I could properly focus on studying. I have done so much research to choose the right components for the right prices. I even bought some parts second hand because it's just outright stupid to buy things that are brand new when you can get the same things for cheaper that have been barely used...

[fellhellion]

i like to think robo JFK exploded on Xina at least once during construction and ya girl was rocking like. loony tunes esque soot on face + cartoon hair when electrified