Plans for the Nerdhole

Introduction

This is a list of the features I want in the Nerdhole.

  • Main Server
  • Workstations with full office environment
  • KVM hosts with laboratory VMs
  • OpenShift cluster
  • C++ Development
  • Ability to serve multiple office environments

The Main Server (Sypha) will be the most important and complex of these projects.

Main Server

To bootstrap the main server, we need to do the following:

  1. Install the base OS (Server with GUI) - DONE
  2. Install Ansible and create the inventory - DONE
    • From this moment on, all things should be done using playbooks
  3. Configure storage - DONE
  4. Configure DNS and DHCP (Basic) - DONE
  5. Set up PXE boot - DONE
  6. Install the IPA server - DONE
  7. Design groups and user configuration - DONE
  8. Set up network-based kickstart - DONE
  9. Replicate often-used repositories - DONE
  10. Create the users - DONE
  11. Re-install Nerdhole Clients - DONE

Workstations

Workstations will be running the same OS as the main server (CentOS Stream 9), though as an experiment it may be interesting to install a workstation with CentOS 8. I have the following workstations:

  • sypha.nerdhole.me.uk - A Dell Optiplex small form factor PC running all the NerdHole services.
  • alucard.nerdhole.me.uk - A Dell Optiplex small form factor PC suitable for office workloads, but not virtual machines.
  • algernon.nerdhole.me.uk - A more powerful PC with 128GB of RAM, purchased specifically for running VMs.
  • emerald.nerdhole.me.uk - An older PC with 12GB of RAM, suitable for running a few small VMs. Also connected to my recording equipment so it will need audio and video software.

In addition, I have two laptops:

  • rayla.nerdhole.me.uk - Lenovo Thinkpad T450 with 16GB of RAM, will run Linux Mint Debian Edition.
  • yang.nerdhole.me.uk - Acer laptop with 4GB RAM, not often used these days. Used mostly for experiments or for guests to have something to browse the Web.

The laptops will mostly be running Linux Mint, partly for variety, partly because Mint offers a broader range of applications including the QLC+ lighting controller I am eager to experiment with and Linux Show Player.

The Workstations will rely on the main server for home directories, data directories, and general networking services. The laptops will have their own userbase in /etc/passwd and co.

Both workstations and laptops will have a full complement of office applications installed, such as LibreOffice, Firefox, and the like. They will all have access to the Nero HP printer, while connected to the Nerdhole obviously.