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Friday 6 December 2013

My original Raspberry Pi server lego case [day 3 of 20-days-of-posts series]

Intention: To be used as a headless download server -- nzbget, transmission, http stream download, gdrive upload/download, etc.


Equipment:
  • Raspberry Pi (model B -- memory: 512MB, 2 USB port, ethernet)
  • class 10 SD card (32GB)
  • micro USB connected to powered USB hub
Assumptions:
  • No need for the VIDEO port (going to use HDMI)
  • No need for AUDIO jack (going to use HDMI)
  • Minimal need for HDMI; only for troubleshooting boot issues
  • No need to access camera port, GPIO pins, etc
  • Continued use of a 2.5" SATA drive for primary storage
The headless server will be connected directly to the router via ethernet (no need for wifi).  There is no need for a keyboard or mouse.  One USB port will be occupied with a connect to the hub.  The 2.5" SATA hard drive will be plugged into the powered USB hub.  The second USB port would be used for a keyboard when needed for troubleshooting.


Like with most of my lego projects, I don't provide full schematics and block lists.  My opinion is that if you have unused lego that you can use for a project like this, you make use of what you have, improvising as you go.

Front-side view


Not much to see from the front side view; no special windows or openings.  The ventilation holes are for 2.5" SATA hard drive.  The bottom extends out 1 lego brick outward to accommodate the 2.5" hard drive being wider than the size of the Raspberry Pi.

The video and audio ports are intentionally inaccessible.  The Raspberry Pi LEDs are also covered.

Right-side view:



I'll user a better camera next time :)  Again, the bulge is to accommodate the hard drive.  You can see that the total height of the unit is 5 lego blocks.

The micro USB power port and SD slot are intentionally covered / inaccessible.


Back-side view:



Not much to see from the back side view.  The blue window swings open from the top and provides access to the HDMI port.  I only use this when troubleshooting boot-up issues.

 The ventilation holes are for 2.5" SATA hard drive.  The bottom extends out 1 lego brick outward to accommodate the 2.5" hard drive being wider than the size of the Raspberry Pi.

Left-side view:


Much more to see from this end.  We have access to the ethernet port and the two USB ports.  The raspberry pi LEDs are covered up, which will be addressed in a future revision.  The power micro USB cable is routed internally from the port accessible on the "left-side view" and breaks out on this side.  The cable will be plugged into a powered USB hub.  The 2.5" SATA hard drive slides in the bottom base, and two removal pannel doors connect to the right and left sides to keep the drive in place while providing access to the USB port on the drive and the drive's access LED.


Top-side view:


The top view gives a clear indication on the size of the unit.  At the base it is 18 by 12 blocks, with a loss of 1 block size in width past the hard drive bay.

There are two accessible swing doors.



Inside, the micro USB power cable is accessible, and the SD card can be accessed.


There is a lot of room for improvement in this case design and the transformation will be remarkable....

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