From 2158a7ac269da6f42053266dfad55e291664f87f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Bradley Taunt Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2025 13:15:01 -0400 Subject: New post about main network setup --- pages/uses.md | 22 ++++++++----- posts/network-setup-2025.md | 69 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ public/images/network-2025.jpg | Bin 0 -> 120994 bytes 3 files changed, 83 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-) create mode 100644 posts/network-setup-2025.md create mode 100644 public/images/network-2025.jpg diff --git a/pages/uses.md b/pages/uses.md index d2951f7..dabb17a 100644 --- a/pages/uses.md +++ b/pages/uses.md @@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ I'm proud to support open source products and privacy-respecting communities. Th ~$50 - Tiny KVM
OpenBSD Hosting - ~$40 + Local Raspberry Pi 400
Web Server (OpenBSD) + ~$20 (electricity) Migadu
Email @@ -47,9 +47,9 @@ I'm proud to support open source products and privacy-respecting communities. Th - M2 MacBook Air - Apple M2 - 16GB + M4 MacBook Pro + Apple M4 + 36GB MacOS Sequoia @@ -72,19 +72,25 @@ I'm proud to support open source products and privacy-respecting communities. Th M73 Tiny ThinkCentre Intel i5-4590T (4) @ 3.0GHz 16GB - Alpine Linux (KDE Plasma) + OpenBSD running minwm ThinkPad X220 Intel Core i5 2540M @ 2.6 GHz 16GB - OpenBSD (see build) + OpenBSD running minwm ThinkPad X201 Intel Core i5-520M @ 2.9 GHz 8GB - Alpine Suck (see build) + OpenBSD running minwm + + + M2 MacBook Air + Apple M2 + 16GB + MacOS Sequoia diff --git a/posts/network-setup-2025.md b/posts/network-setup-2025.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b9e6af7 --- /dev/null +++ b/posts/network-setup-2025.md @@ -0,0 +1,69 @@ +# My OpenBSD Home Network Setup + +2025-08-25 + +I recently moved to an area with more internet provider options, all of which were *not* satellite-based. This change allowed me leave my current provider (Starlink) and also freed my network from being locked behind CGNAT. The jump from ~150Mbps to 1Gbps has been fantastic, but the real benefit in this switch has been the ability to overhaul my home network setup. + +My simple setup includes: + +- Custom OpenBSD router +- Self-hosting my own web server +- Eeros setup as "dumb" APs + +I plan to write-up an updated guide for building out my simple OpenBSD router (the older article can be [found here](/posts/openbsd-router)) and another tutorial for setting up an `httpd` web server on a Raspberry Pi 400 running OpenBSD, but today we will just look at the basics of my personal home network. + +## The Setup + +I know a lot of people have their networking devices beautifully organized, +allowing them to display all the hardware "out in the open". I'm not one of those people. +My network hardware is stored inside one of my basement utility closets, which +sits between my main basement and the room that houses my furnace and hot water tank. Classy, I know. + +So please excuse the "dungeon" look in the photo below. + +
+Photo of my network setup. +Shows a modem plugged into a small OpenBSD router, and a Raspberry Pi 400 +plugged into that router via ethernet +
My network setup. Main modem is connected to the OpenBSD router, +which is the gatekeeper for everything else on the network.
+
+ +Let me further example the picture above: + +1. The black device on the far left is my ISP's modem +2. The smaller black device in the back is a fanless mini PC (Intel Celeron J1900 4xi225V NIC) I picked up off Aliexpress. Currently running OpenBSD, acting as my main router/gateway +3. The Raspberry Pi 400 on the right side of the screen is my self-hosted web + server (you're visiting a site on that server right now!) +4. **Bonus**: There is an older 32" TV off the to far right side. This is + connected to the Raspberry Pi in case I need to perform any "onsite" +debugging or tweaking that can't be done remotely + +I will also give a break down of the colored ethernet cords: + +1. Yellow is the "internet" being fed from the modem to my router +2. Blue connects to my Eero Gateway (not pictured), which is setup in the main + basement +3. Red connects to the Raspberry Pi server +4. White connects to my Xbox Series S (not pictured), also setup in the main + basement + +## Stats & Improvements + +I consistently get ~900Mbps from devices connected directly to the OpenBSD +router, and ~280Mbps at the furthest part of my house (connected wirelessly to the 3rd +Eero mesh AP). Not too shabby. + +I would love to replace my Eero APs with mesh devices running something like +OpenWRT, since these Amazon devices still "phone home". These Eeros where all I had on hand, +so I'm just dealing with it for now... + +(I do have one D-Link DIR-878 running OpenWRT already - so maybe just grabbing +a second one of those could work?) + +## Closing Remarks + +That's pretty much the gist of it. I plan to get those more details guides +posted soon, now that the craziness from the move has settled down. Hopefully +those can be a little more helpful for anyone interesed in setting up +a similar OpenBSD-based network. diff --git a/public/images/network-2025.jpg b/public/images/network-2025.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9ff2982 Binary files /dev/null and b/public/images/network-2025.jpg differ -- cgit v1.2.3-70-g09d2