ISP employee buys old Netflix cache server, cracks it open

[Jan]

Under the hood of a 262TB Netflix cache server

A Reddit user has recently shed some light on what goes on inside a Netflix cache server after acquiring a decommissioned unit from his employer.

Netflix deploys Open Connect Access (OCA) cache servers at major Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

 

[konfab]

Should be enough space to put one copy of Modern Warfare 2 on it.

 

[EL'Diablo]

Should be enough space to put one copy of Modern Warfare 2 on it.

might need a external for the update after weekend 1

 

[ToxicBunny]

@PBCool when you guys deprecate your Netflix caches, hook a brother up you know

 

[AfriNatic]

@PBCool when you guys deprecate your Netflix caches, hook a brother up you know

We actually just decomissioned 2 in CPT. I need to speak to builds

 

[rvZA]

We actually just decomissioned 2 in CPT. I need to speak to builds

Come on now guys, bring them to auction.... let us have a go at them....

 

[ToxicBunny]

We actually just decomissioned 2 in CPT. I need to speak to builds

Come now.. Hook a brother up. I'll pay for shipping

 

[grok]

The user plans to use the server for NAS home storage and managed to install TrueNAS from a bootable USB without any issues. After booting up, it showed he had 262TB of raw storage available.

That'll take more than a boatload and a half of Linux distros..

 

[Thor]

Dis lekker.

 

[genetic]

I wonder what the modern ones look like - being a decade newer.

 

[Icemanbrfc]

We actually just decomissioned 2 in CPT. I need to speak to builds

Dibs

 

[cavedog]

I wonder what the modern ones look like - being a decade newer.

They look similar but spec wise pretty beefy.

AMD Epyc
128GB RAM
6-12 x 2TB NVME
24-32 x 14TB Seagate
2 x 100Gbps ports

 

[B-1]

Reddit post is gone so I guess someone got a message to go and read the agreement.

 

[Fulcrum29]

Reddit post is gone so I guess someone got a message to go and read the agreement.

The thread is still there, but many got upset with the buyer wanting to use it to mine Chia. Not to ignore, these servers are supposed to be 'disposed' when retired, not sold to employees, or anyone, but the cryptomining aspect got way too many commenters disorientated.

 

[cavedog]

The thread is still there, but many got upset with the buyer wanting to use it to mine Chia. Not to ignore, these servers are supposed to be 'disposed' when retired, not sold to employees, or anyone, but the cryptomining aspect got way too many commenters disorientated.

Yeah when decommissioned Netflix recommends e-waste the appliance. I don't think they like it when people sell it and make money from them.

 

[B-1]

The thread is still there, but many got upset with the buyer wanting to use it to mine Chia. Not to ignore, these servers are supposed to be 'disposed' when retired, not sold to employees, or anyone, but the cryptomining aspect got way too many commenters disorientated.

This is what I see.

 

[Fulcrum29]

Yeah when decommissioned Netflix recommends e-wating the appliance. I don't think they like it when people sell it and make money from them.

Yes, they don't 'like' it, but there is an agreement governing this 'transaction'. The ISP who sold it is in trouble. I am sure some legal words are being minced as I am typing this. Not a smart employee to post such an acquisition on Reddit, it is his employer who now has to restore a relationship.

The agreement would stipulate how these servers must be managed up and till retirement, or at least there would be an addendum as a guideline attached to the agreement.

 

[B-1]

Yeah when decommissioned Netflix recommends e-waste the appliance. I don't think they like it when people sell it and make money from them.

It may be old but its still pretty useful. I'm sure you can run a pretty good pirate site off that.

 

[cavedog]

It may be old but its still pretty useful. I'm sure you can run a pretty good pirate site off that.

Yeah they are very good spec wise still they are just "old" in Netflix's eyes

 

[xera]

No mention of the NIC's?