The 'Digital Dust' Collection - What’s genuinely running on your idle nodes?

kako1talkkako1talk
in General

Looking at my spreadsheet today. I realized I have about 15 active services across different providers (NATs, small KVMs, storage blocks).

To be brutally honest, maybe 3 of them are 'mission critical' (DNS, Mail backup, Monitoring). The rest? Just digital dust collecting uptime stats because the deal was 'too good to pass up' at $4/year.

I'm curious about the OG crowd here: What is your ratio of 'Critical Infrastructure' vs. 'Toys I bought for the dopamine hit'?

And for those idle boxes, do you actually spin anything up, or are they just expensive ping targets at this point?

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Comments

  • tulipyuntulipyun

    They are exclusively used for timers generating new bills.

    B)

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  • NeoonNeoon OGContent WriterSenpai
    edited January 15

    15, wow you just me new here.
    Depends, NAT? I wouldn't buy any of it, most of the IPv4 yearlies are so cheap, why buy NAT?

    https://stats.neoon.net/monitor/639326985a0f1c8929a95192727bebd2
    Cost me 10$/m, will I ever let it go? No, will it ever stop being idle? only god knows.

    Generally, a mesh vpn on the rest.

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  • kako1talkkako1talk

    @tulipyun said:
    They are exclusively used for timers generating new bills.

    B)

    Hah, sad but true. The billing cron job is the only process with 100% uptime. 😎

  • kako1talkkako1talk

    @Neoon said:
    15, wow you just me new here.
    Depends, NAT? I wouldn't buy any of it, most of the IPv4 yearlies are so cheap, why buy NAT?

    https://stats.neoon.net/monitor/639326985a0f1c8929a95192727bebd2
    Cost me 10$/m, will I ever let it go? No, will it ever stop being idle? only god knows.

    Generally, a mesh vpn on the rest.

    15 is just the number I admit to my wife. 😉 Regarding NATs vs IPv4 yearlies: It's mostly for the sport. Squeezing a functional service into a 128MB NAT container is a different kind of fun compared to just throwing money at a proper IPv4 slice. But keeping a $10/m box idle? That is true 'End Game' hoarding.

    Respect.

  • Otus9051Otus9051

    they idle, obviously
    buy more idlers so that the host server can rest!

    youtube.com/watch?v=k1BneeJTDcU

  • SocksAreComfortableSocksAreComfortable

    Uhh, like 8 or 9 of mine are wireguard nodes around the world. Another is used for a 3rd backup location (weekly encrypted offsite backups of important files). One hosts a small image sharing service that me and my friends use, which deletes all posts 30 days after uploads. The rest idle.

  • AuroraZeroAuroraZero Retired

    @SocksAreComfortable said:
    Uhh, like 8 or 9 of mine are wireguard nodes around the world. Another is used for a 3rd backup location (weekly encrypted offsite backups of important files). One hosts a small image sharing service that me and my friends use, which deletes all posts 30 days after uploads. The rest idle.

    Knitting more socks duh!!!!!

  • kako1talkkako1talk

    @Otus9051 said:
    they idle, obviously
    buy more idlers so that the host server can rest!

    Exactly. I'm not a hoarder; I'm a 'Stability Philanthropist'. I pay the provider so the CPU graphs stay flat and my neighbors get full performance. You're welcome! 🤝

    @SocksAreComfortable said:
    Uhh, like 8 or 9 of mine are wireguard nodes around the world. Another is used for a 3rd backup location (weekly encrypted offsite backups of important files). One hosts a small image sharing service that me and my friends use, which deletes all posts 30 days after uploads. The rest idle.

    WireGuard mesh is probably the single best justification for this hobby. It actually feels 'productive' to have exit nodes everywhere. The ephemeral image host is a neat idea too—perfect use for a low-storage slice.

    Thanked by (1)Otus9051
  • havochavoc OGContent WriterSenpai

    I’m running some proxies through them for things that are geolocation sensitive. Plus also have searxng on one because I heard it can screw up your IP rep and trigger captchas. And since I’m on a fixed ip that’s a problem

  • somiksomik OG

    I got 2 dedicated servers in USA, each for $100 per year. I use one of them for storage. The other, well, that's there in case I lose access to the first storage server or if the first server provider decides to terminate the service. :lol:

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  • Wonder_WomanWonder_Woman

    @somik said:
    I got 2 dedicated servers in USA, each for $100 per year. I use one of them for storage. The other, well, that's there in case I lose access to the first storage server or if the first server provider decides to terminate the service. :lol:

    Which provider(s)? :)

  • terrorgenterrorgen OG

    @somik said:
    I got 2 dedicated servers in USA, each for $100 per year. I use one of them for storage. The other, well, that's there in case I lose access to the first storage server or if the first server provider decides to terminate the service. :lol:

    That's cheap for a dedi

    We're the source, no cap. Address us: We/Our/Ours.

    https://lowendspirit.com/discussion/comment/221016/#Comment_221016

  • somiksomik OG

    @Wonder_Woman said:

    @somik said:
    I got 2 dedicated servers in USA, each for $100 per year. I use one of them for storage. The other, well, that's there in case I lose access to the first storage server or if the first server provider decides to terminate the service. :lol:

    Which provider(s)? :)

    One was with TurnkeyInternet, now sold to https://www.hivelocity.net/ and the other I just with last black Friday with Colohosting

    @terrorgen said:

    @somik said:
    I got 2 dedicated servers in USA, each for $100 per year. I use one of them for storage. The other, well, that's there in case I lose access to the first storage server or if the first server provider decides to terminate the service. :lol:

    That's cheap for a dedi

    It was cheap. Now it's twice as expensive since I got 2 and only need 1, but i can't seem to let go of either one...

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  • Not_OlesNot_Oles Hosting ProviderContent Writer
    edited 1:16AM

    @somik said:
    I got 2 dedicated servers in USA, each for $100 per year. I use one of them for storage. The other, well, that's there in case I lose access to the first storage server or if the first server provider decides to terminate the service. :lol:

    @somik said: One was with TurnkeyInternet, now sold to https://www.hivelocity.net/ and the other I just with last black Friday with Colohosting

    @somik Specs and links for both, please, if you don't mind. Thank you!

    I hope everyone gets the servers they want!

  • somiksomik OG

    @Not_Oles said:

    @somik said:
    I got 2 dedicated servers in USA, each for $100 per year. I use one of them for storage. The other, well, that's there in case I lose access to the first storage server or if the first server provider decides to terminate the service. :lol:

    @somik said: One was with TurnkeyInternet, now sold to https://www.hivelocity.net/ and the other I just with last black Friday with Colohosting

    @somik Specs and links for both, please, if you don't mind. Thank you!

    They are no longer available on the order portal. Both are legacy devices i guess

    The one from hivelocity is:

    Intel Core i5 CPU 750  @ 2.67GHz
8 GB RAM
1TB HDD
1Gbps unmetered
1 IPv4, 0 IPv6
$148.17 USD per year (was from 120 USD when I bought it)

    The one from colocrossing:

    Intel Xeon CPU E3-1270 V2 @ 3.50GHz
2 x Super Talent 8GB DDR3 1600 ECC
2 x Western Digital WD1003FBYX- 1TB
1Gbps 10TB bandwidth
1 IPv4, 0 IPv6
$101.97 USD per year
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    If you want information, feign ignorance reply with the wrong answer. Internet people will correct you ASAP!
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  • Not_OlesNot_Oles Hosting ProviderContent Writer

    @somik Many thanks for the info! Best wishes!

    I hope everyone gets the servers they want!

  • kako1talkkako1talk

    @somik said:
    I got 2 dedicated servers in USA, each for $100 per year. I use one of them for storage. The other, well, that's there in case I lose access to the first storage server or if the first server provider decides to terminate the service. :lol:

    $100/year for a dedicated server sounds like a steal! Mind sharing the provider? I'm looking for some affordable storage options myself.

    @havoc said:
    I’m running some proxies through them for things that are geolocation sensitive. Plus also have searxng on one because I heard it can screw up your IP rep and trigger captchas. And since I’m on a fixed ip that’s a problem

    Yeah, running searxng on a datacenter IP is tough these days with all the Cloudflare captchas. Have you tried routing just the search traffic through a residential proxy upstream?

  • somiksomik OG

    @kako1talk said:

    @somik said:
    I got 2 dedicated servers in USA, each for $100 per year. I use one of them for storage. The other, well, that's there in case I lose access to the first storage server or if the first server provider decides to terminate the service. :lol:

    $100/year for a dedicated server sounds like a steal! Mind sharing the provider? I'm looking for some affordable storage options myself.

    Wait for the next black friday, go on LET and follow the black friday mega thread and look for $100 dedicated servers:
    https://lowendtalk.com/discussion/comment/4621918#Comment_4621918
    https://lowendtalk.com/discussion/comment/4644718#Comment_4644718

    I would not use it as a main storage, but as a backup storage, sure!

    If you want information, feign ignorance reply with the wrong answer. Internet people will correct you ASAP!
    It’s OK if you disagree with me. I can’t force you to be right!

  • kako1talkkako1talk

    @somik said:

    @kako1talk said:

    @somik said:
    I got 2 dedicated servers in USA, each for $100 per year. I use one of them for storage. The other, well, that's there in case I lose access to the first storage server or if the first server provider decides to terminate the service. :lol:

    $100/year for a dedicated server sounds like a steal! Mind sharing the provider? I'm looking for some affordable storage options myself.

    Wait for the next black friday, go on LET and follow the black friday mega thread and look for $100 dedicated servers:
    https://lowendtalk.com/discussion/comment/4621918#Comment_4621918
    https://lowendtalk.com/discussion/comment/4644718#Comment_4644718

    I would not use it as a main storage, but as a backup storage, sure!

    Bummer, I was hoping to grab one right now! Guess I'll have to play the waiting game until BF. Appreciate the info!

  • somiksomik OG

    @kako1talk said:

    @somik said:

    Wait for the next black friday, go on LET and follow the black friday mega thread and look for $100 dedicated servers:
    https://lowendtalk.com/discussion/comment/4621918#Comment_4621918
    https://lowendtalk.com/discussion/comment/4644718#Comment_4644718

    I would not use it as a main storage, but as a backup storage, sure!

    Bummer, I was hoping to grab one right now! Guess I'll have to play the waiting game until BF. Appreciate the info!

    Well, someone got the server in 2024 black friday and posted it here on LET. After I saw the message, I asked him/her and had to wait until 2025 black friday to get mine :lol:

    If you want information, feign ignorance reply with the wrong answer. Internet people will correct you ASAP!
    It’s OK if you disagree with me. I can’t force you to be right!

  • kako1talkkako1talk

    @somik said:

    @kako1talk said:

    @somik said:

    Wait for the next black friday, go on LET and follow the black friday mega thread and look for $100 dedicated servers:
    https://lowendtalk.com/discussion/comment/4621918#Comment_4621918
    https://lowendtalk.com/discussion/comment/4644718#Comment_4644718

    I would not use it as a main storage, but as a backup storage, sure!

    Bummer, I was hoping to grab one right now! Guess I'll have to play the waiting game until BF. Appreciate the info!

    Well, someone got the server in 2024 black friday and posted it here on LET. After I saw the message, I asked him/her and had to wait until 2025 black friday to get mine :lol:

    Wow, that gives me hope. Good things come to those who wait, right? Thanks again for the heads-up!

  • host_chost_c Hosting Provider

    All my toys are critical, so sometimes I honestly wish I were on the other side — just open a ticket like:

    “hey bro, shit ain’t working anymore, and I’m losing trillions” and call it a day 😅

    That said… I do have an idler.

    A tiny Dell OptiPlex Micro doing Jellyfin + Plex duty, with storage over NAS:

    • Intel® Core™ i5-10500T @ 2.30 GHz (6C / 12T, if I remember right)
    • 64 GB DDR4
    • 1 TB NVMe

    I even slapped a 24 GB RAM drive on it for transcode temp storage — and damn, that tiny box is fast.
    In transcoding, it straight-up eats Xeons for breakfast.

    And the best part?

    Hovers at ~15W / Hour
    It’s idle ~98% of the year. 🙂🙂

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    Host-C | Storage by Design | AS211462

    “If it can’t guarantee behavior under load, it doesn’t belong in production.”

  • AuroraZeroAuroraZero Retired

    @host_c said:
    All my toys are critical, so sometimes I honestly wish I were on the other side — just open a ticket like:

    “hey bro, shit ain’t working anymore, and I’m losing trillions” and call it a day 😅

    That said… I do have an idler.

    A tiny Dell OptiPlex Micro doing Jellyfin + Plex duty, with storage over NAS:

    • Intel® Core™ i5-10500T @ 2.30 GHz (6C / 12T, if I remember right)
    • 64 GB DDR4
    • 1 TB NVMe

    I even slapped a 24 GB RAM drive on it for transcode temp storage — and damn, that tiny box is fast.
    In transcoding, it straight-up eats Xeons for breakfast.

    And the best part?

    Hovers at ~15W / Hour
    It’s idle ~98% of the year. 🙂🙂

    Hey brother my shit ain't working I am loosing 10 bill a second :tongue:

    Also by definition idlers idle they dont have anything on them and idle hardcore.

    Thanked by (1)host_c
  • host_chost_c Hosting Provider

    @AuroraZero said:

    @host_c said:
    All my toys are critical, so sometimes I honestly wish I were on the other side — just open a ticket like:

    “hey bro, shit ain’t working anymore, and I’m losing trillions” and call it a day 😅

    That said… I do have an idler.

    A tiny Dell OptiPlex Micro doing Jellyfin + Plex duty, with storage over NAS:

    • Intel® Core™ i5-10500T @ 2.30 GHz (6C / 12T, if I remember right)
    • 64 GB DDR4
    • 1 TB NVMe

    I even slapped a 24 GB RAM drive on it for transcode temp storage — and damn, that tiny box is fast.
    In transcoding, it straight-up eats Xeons for breakfast.

    And the best part?

    Hovers at ~15W / Hour
    It’s idle ~98% of the year. 🙂🙂

    Hey brother my shit ain't working I am loosing 10 bill a second :tongue:

    Also by definition idlers idle they dont have anything on them and idle hardcore.

    OK, duly noted, will update the syntax to "I am loosing 10 bill a second" :p

    Do the servers that are still in the office unplugged and waiting for stuff count as idle? In that case I am idle'ing:

    6x Xeon Scale CPUS's
    1536 GB DDR4 RAM
    72x Bay drives, most are populated already.

    Host-C | Storage by Design | AS211462

    “If it can’t guarantee behavior under load, it doesn’t belong in production.”

  • AuroraZeroAuroraZero Retired
    edited 7:07PM

    @host_c Useless machines only ddr4 you should send them to me for recycling :tongue:

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  • host_chost_c Hosting Provider
    edited 7:15PM

    @AuroraZero said:
    @host_c Useless machines only ddr4 you should send them to me for recycling :tongue:

    Noted :p

    I promise, when the RAM shit settles down, and we can start ordering R760XD2 servers with 1TB DDR5 at a humanly bearable price, I will ping you if you need these R740XD2, might take 3-5 years..... =)

    Host-C | Storage by Design | AS211462

    “If it can’t guarantee behavior under load, it doesn’t belong in production.”

  • AuroraZeroAuroraZero Retired
    edited 8:23PM

    @host_c said:

    @AuroraZero said:
    @host_c Useless machines only ddr4 you should send them to me for recycling :tongue:

    Noted :p

    I promise, when the RAM shit settles down, and we can start ordering R760XD2 servers with 1TB DDR5 at a humanly bearable price, I will ping you if you need these R740XD2, might take 3-5 years..... =)

    😆 I will likely be too old by the time that happens I will be shooting dust bunnies and chasing @WSS out my yard!!!

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