---
title: Hardware
date: 2025-08-01
series:
  - Wild Cloud Setup
series_order: 2
---

## Get your hardware

A basic wild cloud requires 8 computers, a network switch, a battery backup, and an Internet connection.

Six of the computers run Talos Linux and are your "cluster nodes". One computer will run your local network's name server so you can access internal cloud applications. The last computer is just used to manage your cluster. Most of these computers can be small or old machines, and they are all managed by Wild Cloud, so don't think it's too expensive or complicated to get started. A really useful wild cloud can be built for less than the price of a new smart phone.

{{<definition>}}
In computing, the word "machine" goes back to Alan Turing’s 1936 concept of the ‘Turing machine,’ and to early electromechanical computers like ENIAC that were literally giant calculating machines. Today, in Kubernetes and cloud systems, like your wild cloud, we still use the word "machine" to mean any physical or virtual computer that runs workloads.
{{</definition>}}

## Your "operator" machine

_You_ are the operator of your wild cloud, and you will need a computer to manage it. This can be any computer that you use regularly, such as a laptop or desktop. It does not need to be powerful. Wild Cloud management software is currently only tested on Ubuntu Linux, but it should work on any Linux or MacOS machine. 

## LAN Router

Your LAN router is the central hub for your wild cloud network. It connects all of your machines to each other and to the Internet. We recommend the GL-iNet Flint 2 router. Why? [read more]

## DNS machine

You'll need a tiny computer to run your local DNS server. This can be a Raspberry Pi or any other small computer that can run Linux. It does not need to be powerful, as it will only handle a small amount of name lookups for internal use of your cloud. Here's a picture on an Orange Pi Zero running a wild cloud DNS server. It cost $40.

![Orange Pi Zero](/img/dns-machine.jpg)

## Cluster control nodes (x3)

A wild cloud computer cluster requires three control nodes. These are the machines that run Talos Linux and Kubernetes software. These computers all talk to each other and manage the cluster on your behalf. They will schedule all of your applications and make sure they keep running properly. These computers don't need a lot of horsepower or memory or disk space as they are only doing one thing. Micro PCs make great control nodes because they are inexpensive, quiet, and use very little power. 

Here is a picture of three BeeLink Mini S machines, each costing a little over $120.

![BeeLink Mini S](/img/control-nodes-beelinks.jpg)

And here is a picture of three old Shuttle PCs that I found in the trash at work. They're perfect.

![Shuttle PCs](/img/control-nodes-shuttles.jpg)

## Worker nodes (xN)

Finally, you'll need at least three worker nodes, but you can add as many as you like. We need at least three so the data storage across the nodes can be reliable against any one node failing. A worker node is any computer that runs Talos Linux and Kubernetes software and your applications will be automatically run on them. You can start with smaller machines to handle many different kinds of applications, and you can attach larger, more powerful machines for more demanding applications later (like video processing or AI/machine learning).

This wild cloud has three worker nodes, one is a big desktop PC with a powerful GPU for AI processing, another is a micro PC I purchased for around $500, and the third I bought from a thrift store for $10.

![Worker Nodes](/img/workers.jpg)

## Network switch

A network switch is a device that connects all of the computers in your wild cloud together into a single network. You _could_ use a wireless network, but using a network switch to physically connect your machines together provides more reliability. A simple 8-port "unmanaged" switch is usually sufficient for a basic wild cloud setup, but you can get larger switches if you have more machines.

Here's a picture of a simple 8-port switch that costs around $20:

![Network Switch](/img/switch-2.jpg)

Here's a picture of a larger 16-port switch that costs around $120. This wild cloud is ready for 8 more machines:

![Network Switch](/img/switch-1.jpg)

## Battery Backup

A battery backup (UPS) is an important part of your wild cloud setup. It ensures that your cloud remains operational even during power outages. Look for a UPS that can provide enough power for all of your critical machines for at least a few minutes.

## USB thumb-drives

USB thumb-drives are useful for booting your wild cloud machines and for transferring files between them. Look for USB drives that are at least 32GB in size and have good read/write speeds. A set of three or four is recommended.

## Next Steps

Now that you have your hardware, let's make sure you've [acquired a domain name](../get-a-domain-name/) guide to get started.
