Ultimate LAN party server reddit / selfhosted ---------------------------------------------------------------------- shalak001 · 2023-11-14 22:44 Hi everyone, I'm considering setting up a dedicated, mobile, ultimate LAN party server and would love some input, suggestions and ideas. Here's what I have in mind: 1. Dual connection options: The server should create a LAN, that should be accessible via both WiFi and an ethernet cable. 2. A built-in e.g. 10-port switch for easy connectivity. 3. An integrated access point supporting the latest WiFi 6 technology. 4. An embedded power strip with 10 outlets to power all the necessary devices. 5. Implementation of ZeroTier to facilitate remote access to the server for those who cannot attend. 6. A deployed NAS system for hosting game installers, ensuring easy and quick setup for all games. 7. Lastly, setting up a game server hypervisor, possibly using something like pterodactyl.io for efficient management. Here are some initial thoughts I have for this setup: - a small form factor (SFF) PC with double NIC, equipped with a substantial amount of RAM to handle multiple tasks efficiently. - running Debian to serve as a Docker host (or proxmox to run VM/LXC). This should provide flexibility and ease in managing different services. - as for network management, I am considering combining it with a mikrotik device - that would solve the DHCP, DNS and ZeroTier - but I'm wondering if there's a nice docker/LXC solution that could replace a dedicated device 🤔 - for smart DNS management, I'm thinking of implementing a simple web service, for when a new device joins the network I can easily assign DNS-resolvable hostname for it. - maybe even add some kind of PXE provider (e.g. netboot.xyz) for those folks, who only have a laptop their employer gave them and do not want or can install games on it - put all of this in some kind of mobile case, maybe a systainer or two that is used for workshop tools I'm excited to put this together but would really appreciate any advice or recommendations, especially from those who have done something similar. Thanks in advance! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NikStalwart · 2023-11-15 00:03 I think there are better places for this discussion. On the hardware side, ask /r/buildapc. On the networking site, talk to /r/homelab. As far as I am concerned: SFF PC or 10-port power outlet. Pick one. If you want an all-in-one box I don't think you can get both. In fact, I would not want to connect to your box and your (potentially dirty) power. Keep power separate. Keep network separate. Keep server separate. You can carry 3 boxes in your suitcase if you *really* need it. Also, I'd be leery of going the netboot route with corporate laptops. There may be other monitoring/security features in place that you don't want to mess with. In general, and maybe because I'm a paranoid IT enthusiast, I would never boot off of someone's netboot or install games off of someone's NAS or join your ZeroTier network. I'd begrudgingly join your game server, but that's about as far as I would trust you — or anyone, really. Most people don't have the cash to have a 'burner' laptop to bring to LAN parties, and agreeing with what you are planning on one's primary machine is just asking for trouble. As for > simple web service, for when a new device joins the network I can easily assign DNS-resolvable hostname for it. Why oh why do you need a 'simple web service' for that?? mDNS is a thing. .local is eminently 'DNS-resolvable hostname'. If your LAN party guests are on Windows machines — and I assume most will be, given most games are Windows based — you don't even need mDNS because the PC hostname is advertised to the LAN. > unning Debian to serve as a Docker host (or proxmox to run VM/LXC). Debian is going to be a better option here. There is absolutely no need to add more overhead from an additional hypervisor like proxmox. But, I guess, when the only tool you have is a hammer....... > put all of this in some kind of mobile case, maybe a systainer or two that is used for workshop tools Beware of cooling. SFF PC will run hot. You put that in a container, you can rebrand your LAN party to a marshmellow roasting party. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Stewge · 2023-11-15 00:53 I've had thoughts about building a similar "LAN Party box". Basically a server with fast storage, a switch (e.g. Mikrotik CSS326) and a fast WiFi6 access point (e.g. Unifi 6). Bonus points if you use a gig-style road case and rack-mountable hardware. For the server I would use Proxmox with the following VMs: * PfSense/OPNSense Router VM * Bridge 1 port in for WAN/Internet then another port to your LAN side. * Functions as DHCP and DNS. Can also do adblocking and whatever else you want. * This can also function as your VPN hub for wireguard/openvpn clients * LAN-Cache Server - This will cache things like Windows Updates, Steam games etc. That way people can download games at "LAN speeds". Make sure you pre-populate the cache somewhere there's fast internet though. * Pterodactyl Server on Debian for fast game server spinups * Cloud-init VMs for quickly building LinuxGSM servers Other thoughts (in no particular order): * Most game servers are heavily single threaded, so go for the fastest cores you can. * If you're running multiple active servers with simultaneous servers, there's no room to over-provision CPU resource. So get as many cores as you actually need while loaded up. * RAM is dirt cheap so just load that thing up. Even 128GB is not overkill * For base storage a single 2TB NVME drive is probably plenty. * Get a couple of extra NVME 1TB/2TB drives in RAID0 for your LAN- CACHE storage. R0 is because it's only cache, not mission critical. You can probably even get away with the cheap DRAM-less SSDs as your main use case is fast reads, not fast writes. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- thekrautboy · 2023-11-15 01:36 This sub is about software, not any hardware builds or purchase advice. Try /r/Homelab /r/HomeServer /r/BuildaPC etc instead. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- falcorns_balls · 2023-11-15 05:00 My realtor was trying to sell me a trailer that was a mobile lan party that she would rent for events. Which was a brilliant idea. I had no time since I work multiple jobs. But for it but that would be an awesome side gig. She got it for her son as a business but he opted to work at Lowes instead for some juvenile reason. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- shalak001 · 2023-11-15 10:45 Thank you for your input! > I would never boot off of someone's netboot or install games off of someone's NAS or join your ZeroTier network Well, the goal is to use this for friends, we all trust each other. > mDNS is a thing. .local is eminently 'DNS-resolvable hostname'. Because `mark.lanparty` is easier to pronounce than `DESKTOP-123878az.local`. Most people don't change their default hostnames. > There is absolutely no need to add more overhead from an additional hypervisor like proxmox. Benefit of the proxmox approach is that I could very easily backup every VM/LXC with their volumes and not worry about the restore process. > Beware of cooling Of course, the containers would need to be properly ventilated :) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- shalak001 · 2023-11-15 10:46 This is very informative, thank you! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- shalak001 · 2023-11-15 10:48 Hah, sounds like a great idea :D Unfortunately, here in EU, it's not common for people to have driver's license that would allow to drive a trailer. 3.5T is the limit for most people. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SwizzleTizzle · 2023-11-15 11:26 Yes, it's called LanCache https://lancache.net/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NikStalwart · 2023-11-15 11:41 Regarding trust: trust cannot be universal. You can trust your accountant to file your tax return but you might not trust him with a medical power of attorney. You might trust someone to babysit your kids but not to use your trading accounts. There are very good reasons why I would not want someone touching my laptop. Even if the person is wholly above board and genuine, his network might get compromised for no fault of his own and if I trust him, I now have a keylogger on my laptop intercepting my internet banking and password manager credentials. No, thank you. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Stewge · 2023-11-15 21:40 > In general, and maybe because I'm a paranoid IT enthusiast, I would never boot off of someone's netboot or install games off of someone's NAS or join your ZeroTier network. I'd begrudgingly join your game server, but that's about as far as I would trust you — or anyone, really. Most people don't have the cash to have a 'burner' laptop to bring to LAN parties, and agreeing with what you are planning on one's primary machine is just asking for trouble. I don't want to be a downer, but have you been to an oldschool LAN Party? I think OP is talking more about a LAN party with friends, not a large anonymous one (ie LTT LAN party). Maybe a dozen people at most. Although it could certainly scale up. It was basically SOP that everyone shared everything. Games, movies, OSes, software, etc. Half the time it was cracked. Everyone is on the same subnet, so protect (or not) your machine appropriately, but it was basically a free-for-all. Even at bigger LAN parties I've been to (usually everyone still knows each-other via University/School/whatever) it was the same. Going to such a LAN party already implies a decent level of trust already. If you don't have your own rig and don't trust the operator's environment.....then why even go to the LAN party? It's a moot point. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NikStalwart · 2023-11-15 23:43 I think LAN parties such as you describe were before my time.