25 Gigabit Linux internet router PC build

I'm always amazed by people who don't bat an eye on the perspective of having a home server, sucking up electricity 24/7. In this case replacing a typical router (which consumes like a lightbulb), with a full-fledged PC (probably consuming like x100 the power).

I guess some people around the world have quite cheap utility bills! For me, it's either a Raspberry Pi type of power consumption, or else a server that only powers on when needed. But I haven't learned yet how to do the latter, if possible at all.

In fact this is a nice place to ask: how would you build a "something" that monitors the network for packets sent to powered-off machines, then somehow caches the request, powers the destination machine On, and finally lets the request continue to its target? Has this been tackled anywhere? There must be tons of people wanting a homeserver but living in places where electricity has a considerable cost...

Re: 25 Gigabit Linux internet router PC build

#5

Post by philjohn » Sat, Jul 10, 2021, 12:10 PM UTC

j1elo wrote: post #4

I'm always amazed by people who don't bat an eye on the perspective of having a home server, sucking up electricity 24/7. In this case replacing a typical router (which consumes like a lightbulb), with a full-fledged PC (probably consuming like x100 the power). I guess some people around the world have quite cheap utility bills! For me, it's either a Raspberry Pi type of power consumption, or else a server that only…

There is a middle ground - either an Intel Atom or Intel Celeron based server - typically use around 10w and you still get niceties like SATA and even PCIe

Re: 25 Gigabit Linux internet router PC build

#6

Post by baybal2 » Sat, Jul 10, 2021, 12:14 PM UTC

j1elo wrote: post #4

I'm always amazed by people who don't bat an eye on the perspective of having a home server, sucking up electricity 24/7. In this case replacing a typical router (which consumes like a lightbulb), with a full-fledged PC (probably consuming like x100 the power). I guess some people around the world have quite cheap utility bills! For me, it's either a Raspberry Pi type of power consumption, or else a server that only…

What a lot of other people don't realise:

- There is no such thing as a 25gbps home router.

What's currently on the market is a very serious overkill ever for 10gbps.

Re: 25 Gigabit Linux internet router PC build

#7

Post by hocuspocus » Sat, Jul 10, 2021, 12:15 PM UTC

j1elo wrote: post #4

I'm always amazed by people who don't bat an eye on the perspective of having a home server, sucking up electricity 24/7. In this case replacing a typical router (which consumes like a lightbulb), with a full-fledged PC (probably consuming like x100 the power). I guess some people around the world have quite cheap utility bills! For me, it's either a Raspberry Pi type of power consumption, or else a server that only…

> I guess some people around the world have quite cheap utility bills!

Or they work at Google and don't really have to care.

Electricity is not particularly cheap in Switzerland, but not particularly expensive either (nothing like Germany for instance). If running a home lab is your hobby, why not. There are plenty of hobbies that are a lot more expensive.

Re: 25 Gigabit Linux internet router PC build

#8

Post by sliken » Sat, Jul 10, 2021, 12:16 PM UTC

Was hoping for similar but 10 gbit. Anyone know a nice small/quiet linux box with 2x10 gbit for use as a router?

I have a 8 port x 1gbit ubiquiti router, but ubiquiti seems to be going downhill, and 8 port x 10gbit routers are pretty expensive. My plan was a 2 port router and use vlan tagging to a 8+ port 10g switch. That way I can have separate networks for trusted ethernet, trusted wifi, untrusted ethernet, and untrusted wifi.

Re: 25 Gigabit Linux internet router PC build

#9

Post by great-potential » Sat, Jul 10, 2021, 12:16 PM UTC

j1elo wrote: post #4

I'm always amazed by people who don't bat an eye on the perspective of having a home server, sucking up electricity 24/7. In this case replacing a typical router (which consumes like a lightbulb), with a full-fledged PC (probably consuming like x100 the power). I guess some people around the world have quite cheap utility bills! For me, it's either a Raspberry Pi type of power consumption, or else a server that only…

I think if the OP uses this only as a router it is indeed a waste of power.

What I would probably do is also use it as nas/workstation by using virtualization, SR-IOV is now pretty standard on these cards.

Re: 25 Gigabit Linux internet router PC build

#10

Post by IgorPartola » Sat, Jul 10, 2021, 12:16 PM UTC

j1elo wrote: post #4

I'm always amazed by people who don't bat an eye on the perspective of having a home server, sucking up electricity 24/7. In this case replacing a typical router (which consumes like a lightbulb), with a full-fledged PC (probably consuming like x100 the power). I guess some people around the world have quite cheap utility bills! For me, it's either a Raspberry Pi type of power consumption, or else a server that only…

What kind of light bulb? :)

A typical consumer router will take up something like 5-10 watts. A PC will suck in 20-50. Remember that the PC will be a lot more powerful so it’ll spend most of its time with low CPU usage.

Say the worst case scenario: 45W difference. 45W * (24 * 30) / 1000 = 32.4 kW*h/month. At $0.10 kWh rate that’s $3.24/month, less than a cup of Starbucks coffee.