https://github.com/igorkulman/thinkserver
Configuration for my home server running on an old Thinkpad T440s
https://github.com/igorkulman/thinkserver
homelab homelab-setup homeserver thinkpad
Last synced: 6 months ago
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Configuration for my home server running on an old Thinkpad T440s
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/igorkulman/thinkserver
- Owner: igorkulman
- Created: 2022-07-06T09:44:52.000Z (over 3 years ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2024-09-06T09:42:16.000Z (about 1 year ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-03-26T05:41:52.249Z (7 months ago)
- Topics: homelab, homelab-setup, homeserver, thinkpad
- Language: Shell
- Homepage:
- Size: 6.41 MB
- Stars: 12
- Watchers: 2
- Forks: 2
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# ThinkServer
I was not able to buy a Raspberry Pi 4 so I am now using my old Lenovo ThinkPad T440s as my home server replacing the old Raspberry Pi 2 that became too slow for my current needs.
## Main goal
Main goals of my home server are network wide ad blocking and a media server with automated movies and TV shows downloads accessible also from the outside thanks to Tailscale.
## Software
- [Plex Media Server](https://www.plex.tv/)
- [Sonaar](https://sonarr.tv/)
- [Radarr](https://radarr.video/)
- [FlareSolverr](https://github.com/FlareSolverr/FlareSolverr)
- [Transmission](https://transmissionbt.com/)
- [AdGuardHome](https://github.com/AdguardTeam/AdGuardHome)
- [Homepage](https://gethomepage.dev/latest/)
- [Home Assistant](https://www.home-assistant.io/)
- [Prowlarr](https://prowlarr.com/)
- [Shinkro](https://github.com/varoOP/shinkro)
- [Tailscale](https://tailscale.com/)
### Docker
Most of the software runs in Docker for easier management. See [docker-compose.yml](https://github.com/igorkulman/thinkserver/blob/main/docker-compose.yml) for exact configuration.
```bash
mkdir docker-services
cd docker-services
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/igorkulman/thinkserver/main/docker-compose.yml
docker-compose up -d
```
#### Docker DNS
I encountered problems where Docker containers were not able to access DNS, probably because of AdGuardHome. I fixed it by setting Docker DNS to directly use Cloudflare and Google DNS.
```bash
sudo nano /var/snap/docker/current/config/daemon.json # because Ubuntu Server
```
```json
{ "dns" : [ "1.1.1.1" , "8.8.8.8" ] }
```
```bash
sudo snap restart docker
```
### Direct installation
Tailscale needs to be installed directly
```bash
curl -fsSL https://tailscale.com/install.sh | sh
sudo tailscale up --advertise-exit-node --accept-dns=false
```
#### Plex over Tailscale
To be able to use Plex over Tailscale I had to add its Tailscale address (http://100.x.y.z:32400) to `Settings` | `Network` | `Custom server access URLs` (only visible after showing advanced settings).
## Reduce power consumption
### Remove external battery
The Thinkpad T440s includes a smaller internal battery and a bigger removable external battery. I removed the external battery to prolong its lifespan and reduce the heat generated charging it.
### Disable sleep on lid close
```bash
sudo nano /etc/systemd/logind.conf
```
set `HandleLidSwitch=ignore`, `LidSwitchIgnoreInhibited=no` and
```bash
sudo service systemd-logind restart
```
### Turn off display when lid closed
Based on https://askubuntu.com/a/1117586
```bash
sudo apt-get install acpi-support vbetool
sudo echo "event=button/lid.*" > /etc/acpi/events/lid-button
sudo echo "action=/etc/acpi/lid.sh" >> /etc/acpi/events/lid-button
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/igorkulman/thinkserver/main/lid.sh
chmod +x lid.sh
sudo cp lid.sh /etc/acpi/lid.sh
```
### Disable Turbo Boost
Based on https://askubuntu.com/a/619881
```bash
sudo apt-get install msr-tools
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/igorkulman/thinkserver/main/turbo-boost.sh
chmod +x turbo-boost.sh
./turbo-boost.sh disable
```
### Disable unused hardware
```bash
sudo modprobe -r iwlwifi # Wi-Fi
sudo modprobe -r btusb # Bluetooth
sudo modprobe -r snd_hda_intel # Sound
```
### PowerTOP
Based on https://rhea.dev/articles/2017-07/Home-server-Power-saving
```bash
sudo apt-get install powertop
sudo powertop --calibrate
```
```bash
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/igorkulman/thinkserver/main/powertop.service
sudo cp powertop.service /lib/systemd/system/powertop.service
sudo systemctl enable --now powertop
```
### Disable the red LED
Disabling the red power LED on the lid is not really a power saving features, it is more an annoyance to remove, especially when the Thinkpad is placed in some visible place.
```bash
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/igorkulman/thinkserver/main/led-off.sh
chmod +x led-off.sh
./led-off.sh
```
### Power consumption measurements
In idle all the docker containers are running but just AdGuardHome responds to DNS queries from my network, the other containers do not really do anything.
| State | Power usage |
| ---- | ----------------- |
| Idle | 5 W |
| Plex (playback) | 8 W |
| Plex (playback with transcoding) | 17 W |
All the measurements were done with [Solight DT26](https://www.solight.cz/en/detailsklk.aspx?sklk_id=1RS1000201).
## Network shares
### Samba
```bash
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/igorkulman/thinkserver/main/shares.conf
sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf
```
add
```
include = /home/igorkulman/shares.conf
```
and restart Samba
```bash
sudo service smbd restart
```
### NFS
NFS is faster than Samba so I prefer it for accessing the data from macOS machines.
```bash
sudo apt install nfs-kernel-server
sudo nano /etc/exports
```
add
```
/media/data/downloads *(rw,sync,no_subtree_check,root_squash,insecure)
/media/data/backup *(rw,sync,no_subtree_check,root_squash,insecure)
/media/data/Movies *(rw,sync,no_subtree_check,root_squash,insecure)
/media/data/TVShows *(rw,sync,no_subtree_check,root_squash,insecure)
```
and reload NFS
```bash
sudo exportfs -a
sudo systemctl restart nfs-kernel-server
```