Are you ready for a handful of new Raspberry Pi projects to try this weekend? Keep reading to check out an IPMI replacement that works on any computer, a way to trap hackers on your network, and how you can meal prep for the week with ease.
Brand
Raspberry Pi
CPU
Cortex-A72 (ARM v8)
With the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, you can create all kinds of fun projects, and upgrade gadgets around your home. Alternatively, install a full desktop OS and use it like a regular computer.
Manage your servers remotely with a PiKVM
Who needs IPMI when you have a Pi?
Credit: PiKVM
One of my favorite features about running a “proper” server is IPMI—or IP management interface. With IPMI on a dedicated server, you’re able to log into the server remotely over the network to do things like turn it on or off, restart it, install an operating system, view the BIOS, or just simply see what’s being output on the display (without having to plug a screen in).
The problem is, IPMI is really only available on enterprise-grade gear, leaving consumer-grade motherboards and server setups in the dust. That’s where a PiKVM comes in. With a PiKVM, you can hook up your computer’s video output, USB for keyboard and mouse control, and even the power switch wires for full remote control of the system.
While there are pre-made PiKVM systems, you can also buy the GPIO hat to install on a Pi you already have lying around the house. PiKVMs aren’t cheap, but they could be just the upgrade that your homelab needs.
Catch hackers in the act with an OpenCanary honeypot
Nobody can resist this trap
If you’ve never heard of a network honeypot, it’s a unique little tool to run in your homelab. Essentially, a honeypot stands in as a way to attract hackers or bad actors that make it inside your network. It “exposes” itself as various kinds of servers that could be vulnerable to attack.
For instance, you could have it expose itself on port 22—a known SSH port—and even accept any password someone tries to use so they think they got in. However, once they enter, you’re sent a notification alerting you that someone is accessing your honeypot that shouldn’t be.
Since you know it’s a honeypot, you’d never actually access it. So, any notifications are actually from hackers (or bad roommates) that are trying to access your equipment without permission.
Getting OpenCanary up and running is pretty simple, and it also doesn’t require a lot of overhead. You could even run it on a Pi Zero 2 W if you wanted.
If you’re worried about potential network intrusion and want to set a trap for anybody that gets in, OpenCanary’s honeypot is the perfect tool for you.
Make meal planning easier with Tandoor Recipes
I’m hungry…
Credit: Tandoor Recipes
Have you ever thought, “What are we eating for dinner tonight?” only to forget every single recipe that you’ve ever made. My wife and I have been there more times than I can count. Tandoor Recipes is a fantastic solution for that never-ending problem (at least, never-ending for us).
With Tandoor Recipes, you’re able to create and manage your recipes, plan multiple meals a day, create shopping lists straight from your meal plans, and even make multiple “cookbooks” that collect your recipes so you can more easily filter through them. There’s even a built-in sharing feature so you can share (or collaborate on) a recipe with friends or family.
The sharing function would require you to set up a reverse proxy (or only share within your local network), but the rest of the functions are straightforward and easy to use. You can use Docker to install Tandoor Recipes, but there are also a number of other ways to get it going on your network. The app is lightweight and should run great on your Pi, making it a fantastic project to work on this weekend.
Now that your Raspberry Pi is being used for running some of these projects, did you know that there are cheaper (and better) alternatives to the Pi for other tasks? The ESP32 is actually a fantastic tool and acts like the Pi in a lot of ways, especially for smart home automation.
