Jeff Geerling·1yTop 10 ways to monitor Linux in the console
Explore several modern and useful tools for monitoring Linux system performance through the console. From the basic 'top' utility to more advanced tools like 'htop', 'atop', 'iftop', 'iotop', 'nvtop', and 'btop', each tool offers unique features for CPU, network, disk, and GPU monitoring. Learn installation commands and get insights on when to use each tool for optimal system monitoring.
Jeff Geerling·1yI won't connect my dishwasher to your stupid cloud
The author bought a Bosch 500 series dishwasher, only to discover that certain features like the rinse cycle, delayed start, and eco mode require using the Home Connect app and connecting the appliance to WiFi. This raises concerns about planned obsolescence, security risks, and the forced reliance on cloud services. The author argues for locally accessible controls on IoT devices, with cloud functionality as an optional add-on.
Jeff Geerling·46wYou will own nothing and be happy (Stop Killing Games)
Digital ownership is under threat as companies increasingly tie products to cloud services and DRM systems. Modern appliances like dishwashers now require app connections and WiFi, while games are designed to expire when servers shut down. The Stop Killing Games initiative aims to preserve gaming by requiring companies to ensure purchased games remain playable after official support ends. Self-hosting and local ownership represent a pushback against the rental-based economy where consumers lose control over products they've purchased.
Jeff Geerling·1yRaspberry Pi cluster spotted inside $6k audio processor
The Orban Optimod 5000-series audio processors, which cost between $6,000-15,000, include a 3-node Raspberry Pi cluster. Each node in the cluster serves a different function: one for remote control and firmware updates, another for multi-stream audio processing, and an optional third for watermarking audio streams. This setup is popular among broadcasters for its power efficiency and long-term vendor support using Pi CM4/CM5 modules.
Jeff Geerling·1yNUT on my Pi, so my servers don't die
Setting up Network UPS Tools (NUT) on a Raspberry Pi can help safely manage server shutdowns during power outages. By installing and configuring NUT on the Pi, it can monitor UPS devices and ensure servers shut down properly before battery depletion. The detailed steps include installing NUT, configuring the UPS, and setting up NUT server and clients. Additionally, integration with platforms like Home Assistant is shown to monitor UPS vitals and stats.
Jeff Geerling·1yNever in a million years...
Jeff Geerling's video comparing the speed of a carrier pigeon to the internet was featured on the Italian quiz show L'Eredita on March 26, 2025. The show's question highlighted that a carrier pigeon can be faster than DSL, referencing Geerling's experiment with modified USB flash drives. The anecdote also touched on the capacity of carrier pigeons to carry weight and shared details about the video’s inspiration.
Jeff Geerling·1yProject Mini Rack - compact and portable homelabs
Project MINI RACK is an open-source initiative aimed at helping users build compact and portable homelabs, RF/wireless rigs, and other electronics projects into mini 10" racks. The project provides resources, compatibility testing, and showcases different mini rack builds. It highlights the cost and space efficiency of mini racks compared to full-size rackmount equipment and offers detailed guides for various setups. Enthusiasts can explore different configurations and even participate in giveaways.
Jeff Geerling·50wSelf-hosting your own media considered harmful
A content creator received two YouTube community guidelines violations for videos demonstrating self-hosted media solutions like LibreELEC and Jellyfin, despite showing only legal content management. YouTube flagged these tutorials as promoting unauthorized access to paid content, even though they focused on managing legally-owned media. The creator discusses the challenges of platform dependency, alternative hosting options like Floatplane and Internet Archive, and the economic realities of content creation outside major platforms.
Jeff Geerling·35wI regret building this $3000 Pi AI cluster
A detailed analysis of building a $3000 Raspberry Pi cluster using 10 Compute Blades with CM5 modules, comparing its performance against more expensive alternatives. The cluster achieved 325 Gflops in HPC benchmarks but struggled with AI workloads, delivering only 0.28 tokens per second for large language models. Despite being energy efficient and compact, the Pi cluster offers poor price-to-performance ratio compared to traditional desktop hardware, making it suitable only for niche use cases requiring high node density or physical separation.
Jeff Geerling·24wThe RAM Shortage Comes for Us All
RAM prices have skyrocketed dramatically in recent months, with some DDR5 kits jumping from $209 to $650. The shortage is driven by memory manufacturers prioritizing AI datacenter production over consumer markets, forcing companies like Raspberry Pi to raise prices and Micron to exit the consumer memory business entirely. Small vendors face even worse price increases, with some memory modules tripling or quadrupling in cost. Unlike previous shortages, the specialized nature of AI hardware means there won't be a flood of cheap consumer-compatible parts when the bubble bursts. PC builders, SBC enthusiasts, and smaller manufacturers are being hit hardest, with the situation expected to continue affecting any product containing memory.
Jeff Geerling·45wUpgrading an M4 Pro Mac mini's storage for half the price
The M4 Pro Mac mini now has third-party storage upgrade options available. A 4TB upgrade costs $699 compared to Apple's $1,200 option, offering significant savings. The upgrade process involves removing the rear cover, replacing the proprietary SSD module, and performing a DFU restore using another Mac. Performance testing shows the upgraded 4TB module delivers better write speeds than the stock 512GB drive due to more flash chips distributing write activity. The internal storage consistently outperforms external Thunderbolt 5 drives for sustained transfers.
Jeff Geerling·49wHow I monitor and control all my powered devices (Zigbee + HA)
A detailed guide on using ThirdReality Zigbee smart outlets with Home Assistant Yellow for monitoring power consumption and remotely controlling devices. The setup includes 16 outlets throughout home and studio, providing accurate power measurements within 1 watt, reliable Zigbee connectivity, and ApexCharts visualization. The author compares these outlets favorably against Z-Wave and WiFi alternatives, noting their reliability for various devices from NAS systems to 3D printers, with minor drawbacks being delayed updates and firmware update interruptions.
Jeff Geerling·1yDon't pay $800 for Apple's 2TB SSD upgrade
Apple charges $800 to upgrade the Mac mini from 256 GB to 2 TB of storage. Recently, more affordable third-party upgrade kits became available for under $300, offering significant savings. The process involves opening the Mac mini and entering DFU mode using another Apple Silicon Mac. Performance improvements are modest, but the savings are substantial. These upgrade kits are sourced from the same manufacturer and may have delayed shipping during the Chinese New Year.
Jeff Geerling·22w1.5 TB of VRAM on Mac Studio - RDMA over Thunderbolt 5
Testing RDMA over Thunderbolt 5 on a four-Mac Studio cluster with 1.5 TB unified memory shows significant performance gains for running massive AI models. The M3 Ultra Mac Studio outperforms comparable systems from Nvidia and AMD in CPU, AI inference, and power efficiency benchmarks. RDMA support in Exo 1.0 enables linear performance scaling across nodes, achieving 30+ tokens/second on trillion-parameter models. However, limitations include Thunderbolt 5's four-node maximum, macOS cluster management challenges, stability issues with prerelease software, and lack of standard networking options like QSFP for larger deployments.
Jeff Geerling·23wCM0 - a new Raspberry Pi you can't buy
The CM0 is a new Raspberry Pi Compute Module based on the Pi Zero 2 architecture, featuring castellated edges for direct PCB soldering, eMMC storage, and WiFi. Currently only available in China through EDAtec's CM0NANO development board, global distribution is unlikely due to LPDDR2 RAM shortages and supply prioritization for the Pi Zero 2 W. The module targets low-end commercial integration in products like kiosks and signage, offering a complete Linux environment in a postage stamp-sized System on Module.
Jeff Geerling·38wHow to install TrueNAS on a Raspberry Pi
A detailed guide on installing TrueNAS SCALE on a Raspberry Pi 5 using community-developed UEFI firmware. The process involves updating the Pi's EEPROM, installing UEFI bootloader support, and working around hardware limitations like missing Ethernet support. While functional, current UEFI limitations prevent using PCIe switches, making single-device storage controllers the only viable option for now.
Jeff Geerling·33wThe Emperor Has No Clothes
The current AI market appears to be in a massive bubble, with trillions in valuations that cannot be justified by future profits. While legitimate use cases for machine learning exist, they're overshadowed by overhyped and overpriced AI products. Hardware capabilities are slowing down just as model training demands increase, creating a concerning disconnect between investment and practical value.