Server rack tour! Remote Observatory networking system

[@deansnyman3533]

NICE!! Good job Cole!!!

[@ColeRees]

Thanks, dean! It’s really coming together

[@timarcher52]

If you had time someday I would love to see more about the setup with that peplink and maybe a deeper dive into how it works and so forth. I found that online and have been considering it for some projects of my own and just trying to learn more about it before I deeper dive. Keep up the good work!

[@ColeRees]

Sure thing, Tim! I would be happy to cover some of the peplink features. Unfortunately we were unable to get the SIM card working, so 5G/LTE wasn’t an option. We decided to go with WiFi WAN, turning another WiFi network into a WAN for us to use. I’ll make a video on this soon

[@timarcher52]

@@ColeRees ahh that sucks it wouldn't work. Any idea what was up with it? The sim card use case is the exact need I am targeting for a project that needs remote network connectivity and I was hoping the peplink would make that an easy win in conjunction with a mobile carrier.

[@RealTalk_1776]

Nice dude! Can’t wait to come by!

[@ColeRees]

Thanks, hunter!!

[@McsoftworksNet]

Please please please do some cable management, really just do it! This will save yourself from future pain!

[@ColeRees]

Don’t worry, this is all just for the temp lines in the building. We have 8 ports being used to support the basics for now, and as soon as we drop cable throughout the building, all of these lines will be replaced with keystones and patch cables. I agree with you! Cable management is key. We will be focusing on that as soon as we have the lines coming in.

[@randyvanfossan1975]

If you have any wireless devices in your rack WITH their antennas inside the rack, you may have issues. The metal rack will act as a faraday cage. I do see you have an external Antenna which is great. The commercial Hot Spot looks like it used antennas inside the rack..??

[@ColeRees]

It has an internal 5GHz and 2.4GHz antenna that will be inside the enclosure that provide WiFi-WAN into the network, as well as an admin control network that I will turn to invisible. The external antenna will be used for a redundant/backup LTE signal in case of our P2P into the building goes down.

[@DOOM11777]

Can you tell us what power strip that is and add a link where to get it please.

[@ColeRees]

its a Tripp-lite metered PDU, rated for 15A @120v. 16 outlets. I would select the 20A version if you have 20A plugs for your circuit in your server rack, or better yet, 208/240V instead of 120.

[@TheMchip]

maybe consider starlink? still a great setup!

[@ColeRees]

We were able to go with Wi-Fi over WAN which ended up being a great solution, we have P2P coming into our building from another network, so we just hopped onto that and made our own network with the peplink. If we didnt have that option we would go with Starlink or try to find another 5G carrier.