8 Leaf Pi Zero Bramble

Finally got a happy build for my common image. Now, I'm just running the "dd" command to make an image to distribute. I don't think there will be enough time to make a self-building script, which is unfortunate because that would cut the time down significantly. I did that with a coworker on a se urity contract I used to be on: security validations. That might have to be a whole other project... :(

I WILL be re-writing my instructions on this project in a way that will lend themselves to scripting much of the gruntwork out though. Just gotta host some packages locally.

Phew! I didn't know that having both a wired AND a wireless interface would disable the wireless! Fixed it and now it's in my instructions

Wow. Getting WiFi to be your main connection, while simultaneously serving a subnet gets weird...

I know I have to set up a bridge, but don't I have to have 2 working subnets first?

I have my keyboard, mouse and SD card in a USB adapter in an old USB hub, while I am swapping between the Linux box, which is "backing up" movies right now (but that is another story). And THIS is why I recommend making the smallest image possible to begin with. I am stuck waiting for a 16GB SD card to get imaged when I probably could have been finished with a 4GB card and expanded to any other size desired.

Sigh...

This guy has a pretty good handle on setting up a group of PIs for clustering, so why re- reinvent the wheel?

Gigafyde - on Instructables

There are a couple minor gotchas, but overall, his is a quick easy read. When it's all done, I'll set it up so that the Leafs are communicating on the RJ45s to the head only. The head will have a second, WiFi connection into the world.

I'm gonna do it. I'm going to move from Wifi to straight ethernet. Good thing I found a new switch at Goodwill for 3 bones.

Anyway, this is what I have to work with...

Something tells me this isn't an actual Realtek chip. Hmmm...

At least they were wired to standard. I guess even forgers have a conscious. Blk is on the largest, gnd plane and red is on vcc.

All I have to do is figure out how to fit this RJ 45 Jack.

JUST enough room in between. All I need is to make a cutout for the jack! Minimal soldering.

Dang. I tested the ethernet adapters from eBay wrong. Looks like they do work. I'm on the fence here: do I go ahead with wifi? Or do I go ahead with ethernet and solder to the board?

I have started to input the instructions and will begin the process of moving some of the log content there. Really, a few of my logs have instruction in them, and that's not how this project is organized...

All thing s considered, though, I rather like the Stream of Consciousness method of documenting a project.

With this new DOVETAIL design, I can now expand my cluster as Pi Zeros become available, instead of wasting filament on empty slots.

I will have both designs available for you: 8 slots with the old rectangular spot for the Zeros, and this new expandable design.

There's a bit of cleanup of the edges due to the print quality, but, I have a COMPLETELY modular design now. I think a better printer will produce better parts and make life much easier.

That's 3 Pi Zero slots in 1.25 x 4 inches. THESE will require a direct wire for power. I will be using JP1 & JP6 for the input. Same dimension as my original design.