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The AI workstation

• NVIDIA RTX 3060: 12 GB of video memory for local model experiments.
• Intel Core i5-10500T: paired with an ASRock B560M-C motherboard and 64 GB DDR4-3200 memory.
• Storage: 1 TB NVMe system drive and two 1 TB SSDs.
• Power supply: Montech Beta 2, 550 W. An ASRock Steel Legend 1000 W replacement has been purchased; installation remains to be verified.
• Platform: Windows 11 Pro in a Teucer UT45 case, with Ethernet and Remote Desktop. A dedicated GL.iNet Comet GL-RM1 provides true headless console control and verified BIOS access, independently of Windows Remote Desktop.

Learning progress

The foundation covers parameters, tokens, context, training versus inference, quantization, retrieval, tools, and the roles of RAM and video memory. Python exercises added numeric inputs, loops, error handling, model-memory estimates, runtime reserves, and memory headroom.

The learning track has reached controlled tool use with real media. Lesson 11 validated disk-space checks and ffprobe availability. In Lesson 12, ffprobe inspected a real Plex copy of The Matrix (1999), identifying VC-1 video and AC3 audio directly from stream data. Earlier lessons established local Qwen and Llama comparisons, answer validation, and Python chat integration with LM Studio.

Qwen and Llama experiments

Qwen and Meta Llama are core model families for the lab. Smaller models have been tested for speed and responsiveness, alongside checks of answer quality and practical memory use.

Fair comparisons use the same prompts, context, and available tools. The lessons connect generation speed, RAM and video-memory use, and answer accuracy with independent Python validation. Further structured-output, controlled-tool, and document-retrieval work will build on this foundation.

Plex Media Manager capstone

The capstone now has a real-media inspection result: ffprobe identified the video and audio codecs in The Matrix (1999). Python measures and validates the evidence; models help explain the findings.

The current workflow inspects media without converting or replacing source files. Future conversion work will require explicit approval, staging output, preservation of originals, and checks of streams, quality, and playback.

Pi-hole · DNS filtering

Pi-hole filters DNS requests from clients configured to use it. McNallyHome is the confirmed pilot client: ordinary domain lookups succeeded, a test advertising domain was blocked for both IPv4 and IPv6 answers, and Chrome DNS queries appeared in the Pi-hole log. Cloudflare and Quad9 upstream DNS resolution was reported working.

This validates the pilot, rather than whole-network coverage. Remaining checks include other clients, IPv6 DNS paths, browser encrypted-DNS bypass, work/school and Plex use, and recovery if the Pi becomes unavailable. The BGW320 remains the planned sole DHCP server; broader DNS distribution requires checking its actual capabilities.

Uptime Kuma · Availability monitoring

Uptime Kuma provides a central view of monitored device and service availability, including Pi-hole and the GL.iNet Comet. Down/up alerts were successfully tested, confirming notification delivery for the tested monitor.

Continue auditing monitor coverage and distinguish host reachability from application health. Verify persistence after reboot and test restoration; successful alerts and a verified backup copy do not by themselves prove full recovery.

RaspberryAI · Infrastructure role

The Pi supports the network independently of the planned Proxmox server, so server experiments need not take monitoring offline. Ethernet and Docker are operational; Pi-hole and Uptime Kuma are the active service set. A service backup has been copied off the Pi and verified with matching SHA-256 checksums. Remote administration from the iPad through Termius is working.

Pi-hole handles DNS requests sent to it; it does not inspect all network traffic or replace the gateway. Keep service administration on the trusted home network. Document service versions, persistent data, cooling and power checks, and a repeatable recovery procedure as validation continues.

Network upgrade and validation

The AT&T BGW320 gateway replaces the earlier gateway. The new fanless switch has arrived with eight 2.5GbE RJ45 ports and two 10Gb SFP+ ports. The existing Gigabit switch still carries the active wired network. StormTrooper and McNally-Plex currently negotiate at 1 Gbps; migration, port documentation, and endpoint throughput testing remain to be completed.

A WIMOTEK TXA092 2.5GbE PCIe adapter has been purchased for AIMcNally. Install it as part of the migration after checking slot clearance and drivers, then verify the negotiated speed. The additional M.2 PCIe storage adapter is not installed in AIMcNally.

Keep Time Capsule isolated from the internet. Validate backups and restoration for Pi-hole, Uptime Kuma, Plex metadata, and future Proxmox workloads.

Immediate priorities

1. Continue AI learning and Plex Media Manager development with measured media evidence and reviewed actions.
2. Continue Ichabod availability and power-setting checks, then resume controlled throughput testing.
3. Install AIMcNally’s 2.5GbE NIC, migrate selected systems to the new switch, and document link rates and test results.
4. Expand RaspberryAI monitoring and finalize DNS deployment decisions with a tested rollback path.
5. Test backup restoration and improve coverage for RaspberryAI, Plex metadata, and future virtual machines.
6. Continue the separate i7-4770 Proxmox build while Plex stays on the Dell server.

Administration and upcoming projects

Deploy the three-key and rotary-knob USB macro keypad at McNallyHome for network administration shortcuts after verifying its controller and software.

TV PC remote access and credential cleanup remain deferred until the network rework. Choose Ichabod’s final role after continued availability and network testing.

The Whole-House TV & DVR project will add an indoor multidirectional antenna and HDHomeRun tuner to Plex. Reception and the proposed Wi-Fi-extender connection still need validation.