Hi there,

I’m hosting matrix for family use on a server at my place. The issue is my home is affected by internet and electricity outages - which we’re trying to fix. This means that there are frequent downtimes on the chat. I have a UPS but usually is not enough to power everything - router and server - for longer periods of time.

The internet downtime is easy to fix as my router supports fallback connection which I point to a mobile internet solution.

I’ve thought about moving everything to a VPS but then I’m a bit wary of privacy regarding the data there. There’s also the option of moving the server to a family member’s house but I want this this be last resort because that makes maintenance harder.

Anyone dealt with this issues and found a solution? Perhaps a fallback mechanism that temporarily hosts the sever on a VPS? :D

  • glitching@lemmy.mlEnglish
    2·
    5 months ago

    not dealt with such a thing, but a decomissioned phone or laptop is the most obvious solution. they come with batteries, have seamless transition between power and battery, and you’re reusing shit nobody wants no more.

    laptops you can get cheap when they have like busted screens and any reasonably modern (like decade old) can operate in sub-5W territory; coupled with a good battery, that should provide you with tens of hours of battery powered use, and you can expand that, with powerbanks and such.

    alternatively, a cheap phone that can run postmarketOS or mobian. even lower consumption and more options to extend power availability.

  • spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    2·
    5 months ago

    After having my server fail to recover after a power failure while I was out of town for an extended period, I moved all important server apps to an relatively inexpensive (<$200) laptop.

    The battery is firmware limited to a 70% charge which means it will last for years with no significant safety concerns. Even at a partial charge, Debian indicates 7 hours of run time when the power fails (I’ve had none longer than 4), and it’s unaffected by power blinks. It saves a bit of electricity too and costs $150 less per year to run than my old UPS alone.

    It’s been running for nearly 2 years without a hitch.

  • bizdelnick@lemmy.mlEnglish
    1·
    5 months ago

    In matrix, chats with e2e encryption are protected from hoster even if they would try to steal your data.

  • irmadlad@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    5 months ago

    Besides a Generac, like @frongt@lemmy.zip is talking about, UPS aren’t for long term power supplies. I like my Generac whole house. We have ice storms in this area and I like the creature comforts that electricity brings with it. LOL Personally, I would host on a VPS. You might rummage around in Low End Box to find a suitable deal on which to host. Or host your chat server on something with low power draw like a NUC, but eventually, the UPS is going to drain.