====== Non-NUC Projects ====== Most of my Non-NUC projects involve having a second wired LAN interface. You can also find my [[Monero CPU Miner]] on this site, which I am now using for [[https://foldingathome.org/|F@H]]. ====== Work-From-Home (WFH) Firewall ====== A work-from-home environment needs to be reliable and secure. Something less expensive than a [[https://www.netgate.com/products/appliances/|netgate]] or [[https://protectli.com/products/|Protectli]] box with built-in WiFi. Given the recent Ubiquiti compromise, I'm not using their USG until further notice. * Secure and stable - [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PfSense|pfSense]] is a reputable firewall * Use my cellular LTE data as a second/backup WAN with a built-in wireless adapter - [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PfSense|pfSense]] again does this seamlessly * Two gigabit interfaces for LAN and WAN so I don't have to use a managed switch and trunking The ZOTAC mini PC model [[https://www.zotac.com/us/product/mini_pcs/zbox-ci325-nano|ZBOX-CI325NANO]] was used. * Two gigabit wired interfaces (LAN and WAN) * Integrated wireless (dual band AC 3165, 3165NGW, 801.11ac) * Older CPU - Intel Celeron N3160 (quad-core 1.6GHz, up to 2.24GHz) 4 cores 4 threads * 2.5" SATA drive and two (2) DDR3L-1600 SO-DIMM RAM slots (16GB MAX) * Has a fan Setup * WAN interface to cable modem * LAN interface to network switch * WAN2 wireless interface to Jetpack LTE data modem * WAN_GROUP uses WAN and WAN2 for internet access, failing over on packet loss or high latency * Ubiquiti Unifi wireless access points and CloudKey ====== freePBX ====== While I can use a NUC configure and trunked interface to run a VoIP system, I wanted two interfaces: VoIP network and DMZ. The [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FreePBX|FreePBX]] platform is perfect for my needs. The [[http://www.qotom.hk/product/46-en.html|Qotom Mini PC Q220S-S02]] came configured as I wanted: * Intel Core i5 Processor, Dual core 1.7 GHz * 8GB RAM * 128GB SSD * Dual LAN * Fan ((Really annoying variable fan, not engineered like a NUC)), not suitable for desktop use * Compares favorably to performance of [[https://www.freepbx.org/appliances/|freePBX appliances]] * Does not have space to install two drives as RAID 1 ====== Mac Mini Model A1347 ====== This is change of pace from refurbishing NUCs. * https://diskmakerx.com/download/ * https://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/specs/mac-mini-core-2-duo-2.4-mid-2010-specs.html * https://support.apple.com/en-us/111931 * Apple support shows Catalina as being the latest compatible OS for this model; no further updates are available * 21 Monterrey was also mentioned * Probably has 1TB HD running at 5400 RPM (very slow, no Fusion drive) * Option to change to SSD or add an adapter and NVMe * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVzBQm0jPtc * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlhMCSb21LA * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_CBoeHxjq8 3 devices * Device 1 * Lion OS X 10.7 * CPU: * RAM: * Disk: * Device 2 * Yosemite OS X 10.10 * CPU: * RAM: * Disk: * Device 3 * MacOS Sierra * CPU: * RAM: * Disk: Original state: * Clean * Non-booting * Unable to re-image any of them via the recovery utility * Create a bootable installer for MacOS https://support.apple.com/en-us/101578 * Download DMG file * Write to USB stick using [[https://www.sysgeeker.com/online-help/ultradmg.html|UltraDMG]] (paid product) * Shut down or turn off the Mac * Connect the bootable installer to the Mac * Turn on the Mac, then immediately press and hold the Option (Alt) key * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usKiV91Pa1E * Release the Option key when you see a dark screen showing your bootable volumes, including the bootable installer * Select the bootable installer then click the onscreen arrow (or press Return) Notes: * This Mac must be compatible with the macOS that you're installing. If it isn't, it might start up to a circle with a line through it. * Mac must be able to connect to the internet; bootable installer doesn't download macOS, but it does need an internet connection to get firmware and other information for this Mac model