Setting Up New Observatory Computers
My old Exploradome computer was an HP dual-core Athlon and it is old and slow now, so it's time for something at least a little newer.
A New Image Processing Workstation
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I purchased a refurbished HP Z420 workstation advertised with a 6-core, 12-thread 2.5GHz Xeon processor, 32GB of RAM and a 2TB HDD, for just $300. I was pleasantly surprised when I received a Z420 with an 8-core, 16-thread 2.6GHz Xeon at no extra charge. I only needed to add a 240GB SSD for the OS and the HP serial port option to have a "real" serial port.
It already has the no-tools case, extra case fans and ducting for improved cooling, a dual-port DVI video card, USB 3.0 ports, and a 600-watt PS. |
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For the OS I installed Linux Mint and started adding Astronomy related programs. I also plan to purchase and install Pixinsight for image processing.
I recently found a couple of brand new Acer 27" monitors at a local auction and they will work great with the workstation. The keyboard is made by Saitek and has red backlit keys, and I also came across a G-Tech G-RAID 4TB backup drive from a previous auction. |
Originally I was planning to use this workstation for controlling everything in the dome, but as things have progressed plans have changed, I will be adding another computer in the dome and keep this workstation in the lab for image processing and remote access.
The Dome Computer
At this time I'm not planning to have a separate warm room attached to the dome, which means I'll not have a climate-controlled space for a normal PC. Instead I'll need a computer that can stand up to a wide range of temperatures and humidity.
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I found this used Advantech model MIC 7700Q online. It's listed as an industrial fanless computer and is built for harsh environmental conditions. Manuals and drivers are also available online and its specs are:
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For this location -10C is sufficient. It does occasionally get colder than that, but not by much. And the unit's max non-operating temps are -40C to 85C.
The MIC 7700 can run on any voltage from 9-36VDC, but the lower the voltage the higher the amperage. At 12VDC it has a max current draw of over 10Amps. Its AC power brick provides 19VDC @ 7.9Amps.
Linux Mint has been installed as the OS, plus Kstars, EKOS and INDI. Next I'll set up the mount and imaging cameras.
The MIC 7700 can run on any voltage from 9-36VDC, but the lower the voltage the higher the amperage. At 12VDC it has a max current draw of over 10Amps. Its AC power brick provides 19VDC @ 7.9Amps.
Linux Mint has been installed as the OS, plus Kstars, EKOS and INDI. Next I'll set up the mount and imaging cameras.
The NAS Server
I'm using Linux OpenMediaVault running on an Acer Aspire easyStore H340 as my network attached storage (NAS). It has a 2TB RAID 5 array for data storage and a 200GB drive for the OS and OpenMediaVault. It stores all my astrophotography backups.
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The Acer H340 was originally a Windows Home Server until WHS died on the vine. Then it became a Linux Amahi NAS, but there were a few things I didn't like about it, so I finally ended up with OpenMediaVault, which I really like.
Out of the box the H340 is a headless NAS. There's no provision for attaching a monitor, but there is a header on the motherboard that allows for modifying the unit to add a vga connector. Once I modified it, I replaced WHS with Linux and never looked back. |
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I picked up a used WattBox 300 to remote control the AC power in the dome. Since it's used I made sure to order one that had been reset to its default configuration, including the username and password. It provides the capability of controlling three AC outlets through a web interface, which will let me control equipment power remotely. I found the manuals and configuration utility software on the SnapAV website and the setup was pretty easy.
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Page created 12/28/2021
Last update 3/24/2023
Last update 3/24/2023
