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pi testing
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2019 1:28 pm
by W0RMT
For those who are interested, I did some testing comparing the pi-zero, pi-3A+, and pi-3B+ and wrote it up in a blog post. You can access it here:
http://coloradodigital.net/03-11-2019.html
Feedback welcomed!
Re: pi testing
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:14 pm
by KE0FHS
Excellent article, Bud!
Previously, I had been replacing my RPi Zero W-based hotspots with the new RPi 3A+ in order to take advantage of its better performance while still enjoying its relatively compact form factor. Based on what I learned from reading your article, I was inspired to go ahead and try replacing the RPi 3B+ in one of my main hotspots that I use for nets (running Pi-Star 4.0.0-RC3) with the RPi 3A+, too. My results were excellent. Previously, that hotspot was running quite warm when I used it on a longer net (~59 C). Yesterday afternoon, I had it linked to a very busy talkgroup for several hours, then switched to the Colorado Hotspot Discussion net (via BM TG 31088) yesterday evening, and averaged ~45 C with no noticeable change in performance. The only downside of the RPi 3A+ is no Ethernet port, but since I always run over WiFi, that's fine for me.
Thanks again for the great article!
Edit: My observations are all with the Pi-Star dashboard open in a browser. I really like having the dashboard open, especially when I participating in a net.
Re: pi testing
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:45 pm
by W0RMT
Thanks, Toshen. And thanks for sharing your findings about the operating temperature. Yes, the lack of Ethernet Port is s bummer for more permanent benchtop uses, but not a dealbreaker, I think.
One other thing of note from some testing this morning on the processes running on a pi-star based hotspot:
- pi-zero W w/N5BOC duplex board, no display attached
WIth the dashboard open and being served by the hotspot, 1' load average are over 1.4. With the dashboard *not* open and no dash being served, 1' load averages are about 0.9. the php processes are really taxing the system in order to serve up the dashboard. Take home message: don't have your dash up if you don't need it!
Re: pi testing
Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 7:03 pm
by dh3ybe
Hello Toshen and Robert,
thanks for your testing AND presenting to us the really interesting outcome.
Best Regards
Kai
dh3ybe