[tor-relays] Smallest, cheapest, lightest computer for tor relay

[Neel Chauhan]

 >Yes it does make a real big difference. Get the Pi 3, the 1st Pi is 
an order of magnitude slower.

If you don't want to spend your money on a RPI 3, you can also look at 
a used RPI 2.

If you are willing to have a computer that is a bit larger, you can 
also use a smaller desktop PC, like a Mac Mini, or a SFF Dell or HP.

I have a Raspberry Pi 2, but use a homebuilt Pentium 4 desktop on a 
60/25 cable connection (Optimum Online), and a Dell Optiplex 755 (Core 
2 Duo) on a 50/50 FTTH connection (Verizon FiOS). I don't use the RPI 
because I want my Tor nodes to use FreeBSD instead of Linux, and am not 
sure if RPI has the best FreeBSD support (I'm even a FreeBSD 
contributor, but my laptop which I typed this from unfortunately runs 
Arch).

The disadvantage of the PC approach is space and higher power 
consumption, but the advantage is that you can use *BSD and Windows, 
and can possibly take advantage of faster speeds. But if you are fine 
with Linux, and, the RPI 2/3 is a good choice. There are also other SBC 
computers like the BeagleBone. SBC computers are great if they have 
ADSL/Cable, but if they have fiber to the home (Verizon FiOS, Google 
Fiber, etc.), a used desktop (or a higher end SBC) may be better (in my 
opinion) as they usually have a faster upstream and a desktop may take 
better advantage of the speed.

My atlas entries are below (for the two nodes from my two homes, not my 
exits):

https://atlas.torproject.org/#details/AED76373324653A0522DF30550BA31902B2CFA44
https://atlas.torproject.org/#details/D5B8C38539C509380767D4DE20DE84CF84EE8299



Thanks,
Neel Chauhan
===
https://www.neelc.org/



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