Pi-Hole: Ad blocking at the network level

[ik9000]

Wow - so much choice! Please can someone direct me to which of the umpteen pi options on amazon is a good one to go for? Presumably one that comes with a case and has an ethernet port not just wifi? And I'm presuming the largest SD card with pre-loaded software on it?

This seemed good but is it overkill? It doesn't mention RJ45 but does seem to have a socket for it on the case. (or do I need an extra component?)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CanaKit-Ras...dp/B07C7J8Z8L/

There's also this but I prefer the clear case. https://www.amazon.co.uk/ABOX-Raspbe...dp/B07DB8591S/

Presume it would also need an SSD - or is the SD card sufficient for this use?

[peterb]

Wow - so much choice! Please can someone direct me to which of the umpteen pi options on amazon is a good one to go for? Presumably one that comes with a case and has an ethernet port not just wifi? And I'm presuming the largest SD card with pre-loaded software on it?

This seemed good but is it overkill? It doesn't mention RJ45 but does seem to have a socket for it on the case. (or do I need an extra component?)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CanaKit-Ras...dp/B07C7J8Z8L/

There's also this but I prefer the clear case. https://www.amazon.co.uk/ABOX-Raspbe...dp/B07DB8591S/

Presume it would also need an SSD - or is the SD card sufficient for this use?

This will do

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Raspberry-P...i+3+b%2B&psc=1

You don't need an SSD - the SD card provides non volatile storage.

[spacein_vader]

Wow - so much choice! Please can someone direct me to which of the umpteen pi options on amazon is a good one to go for? Presumably one that comes with a case and has an ethernet port not just wifi? And I'm presuming the largest SD card with pre-loaded software on it?

This seemed good but is it overkill? It doesn't mention RJ45 but does seem to have a socket for it on the case. (or do I need an extra component?)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CanaKit-Ras...dp/B07C7J8Z8L/

There's also this but I prefer the clear case. https://www.amazon.co.uk/ABOX-Raspbe...dp/B07DB8591S/

Presume it would also need an SSD - or is the SD card sufficient for this use?

A case is optional, or you can build one but a cheap one will be less hassle.

The Pi 2 and Pi 3 all have ethernet so opt for those over a Zero which doesn't.

They all run SD cards so no point getting an SSD. 8gb is ample for running PiHole and DNS as the underlying OS is only 2gb at most.

The most important thing with the bundles is that the power supply is up to it. It really wants to be rated at 2.5A to keep the 3 happy as otherwise they can drop out and reboot under heavy load.

[Disturbedguy]

Quick and potentially daft question.

This can be installed anywhere on a network right, as long as devices can reach it?

[spacein_vader]

Quick and potentially daft question.

This can be installed anywhere on a network right, as long as devices can reach it?

It can indeed. A pi is small enough to be tucked away out of site somewhere inconspicuous.

A friend of mine has a 4 port switch behind his TV for a sky box, a Roku and the TV itself. He added the PiHole in to the final switch there. Mine is in the (integral,) garage.

[peterb]

Quick and potentially daft question.

This can be installed anywhere on a network right, as long as devices can reach it?

Yes - as Space_invader says, but for setting up you will need a USB keyboard mouse and an HDMI monitor. It really needs a static IP address on your network which you can either do at the router by binding the mac address to the IP address or just set a static ip address on the Pi.

But once set up, it can go anywhere on your internal network.

[ik9000]

thanks - ordered!

[spacein_vader]

Yes - ad Space_invader says, but for setting up you will need a USB keyboard mouse and an HDMI monitor. It really needs a static IP address on your network which you can either do at the router by binding the mac address to the IP address or just set a static ip address on the Pi.

But once set up, it can go anywhere on your internal network.

IIRC as part of the setup PiHole forces you to give it a fixed IP.

[peterb]

IIRC as part of the setup PiHole forces you to give it a fixed IP.

Missed that - maybe I already had - but I bound Mac to IP in the router.

[Disturbedguy]

It can indeed. A pi is small enough to be tucked away out of site somewhere inconspicuous.

A friend of mine has a 4 port switch behind his TV for a sky box, a Roku and the TV itself. He added the PiHole in to the final switch there. Mine is in the (integral,) garage.

Yes - ad Space_invader says, but for setting up you will need a USB keyboard mouse and an HDMI monitor. It really needs a static IP address on your network which you can either do at the router by binding the mac address to the IP address or just set a static ip address on the Pi.

But once set up, it can go anywhere on your internal network.

Thanks, answer my question perfectly.

Building and re-doing my entire desk at home and may well add this under the desk to keep it out the way.

[ik9000]

Thanks, answer my question perfectly.

Building and re-doing my entire desk at home and may well add this under the desk to keep it out the way.

now there's a thought. that bit down the back by the wall where your knees don't reach is kind of dead space!

[ik9000]

now there's a thought. that bit down the back by the wall where your knees don't reach is kind of dead space!

it arrived without heatsinks or case screws - is it safe to power up without them, or should I wait until I can get some delivered?

[spacein_vader]

it arrived without heatsinks or case screws - is it safe to power up without them, or should I wait until I can get some delivered?

It doesn't need a heat sink, or case screws unless you're fixing it to a wall or the underside of a desk. It'll be fine to setup as a bare board.

[peterb]

The case should just clip together and the lid is deliberately loose for external connections which you won’t need in this application. But it should push on reasonably firmly. Remember the Pi was designed for experimental use for controlling physical things - but Pi-hole doesn’t need those.

The power consumption is about 10w distributed across all the onboard devices - including the wi-fi - so a heat sink isn’t necesssry. Air cooling on the chips in their naked state is fine!

[Disturbedguy]

now there's a thought. that bit down the back by the wall where your knees don't reach is kind of dead space!

Yup.

I'm in the process of building a new desk, my plan is to have as much hidden as possible.
I plan to have a network switch, HDMI switch and any other items small enough / light enough attached to the underside of the desk with all cabling that is visible, neat and tidied.

I'll post images in the workspace thread when done

[ik9000]

I'll post images in the workspace thread when done

looking forward to it!