[mythtv-users] Questions about master/slave BE

[Mike Perkins]

Nick Morrott wrote:
> 
> If I was running a backend 24/7 (which I do at the moment) I would try
> to put as many capture devices in the machine as I reasonably could in
> order to avoid having to periodically run a slave backend.
> 
I have a master back-end server full of capture cards that runs 24/7, and I'm 
beginning to think the exact opposite.

The big problem is, the capture cards are about half the power consumption of 
the server. They are PCI DVB-T cards, it's possible that if I upgraded to PCI-E 
or USB capture devices I could reduce the power, but that's a discussion for 
another time (and when there's money available!).

If I take out the capture cards and put them in a slave back end, with the 
storage still being in the master, then that would mean the slave would only be 
powered up when I'm actually recording something, more or less. (I don't use EIT.)

Obviously a lot depends on exactly which motherboards, disks, power supplies and 
capture cards one has, but I'd be interested in hearing other views on power 
saving arrangements.

-- 

Mike Perkins