Anton
Anton: My Basement Kubernetes Cluster
Meet Anton - a Kubernetes cluster that runs in my basement. Built on the foundation of onedr0p’s cluster-template, Anton represents my journey into self-hosted infrastructure.
The Hardware
Anton consists of three identical MINISFORUM MS-01 mini PCs, each packing serious compute power into a compact form factor:
| Name | Model | CPU | Storage | RAM | OS | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| k8s-1 | MS-01 | i9-13900H | 500GB NVMe | 96GB | Talos | Control Plane |
| k8s-2 | MS-01 | i9-13900H | 500GB NVMe | 96GB | Talos | Control Plane |
| k8s-3 | MS-01 | i9-13900H | 500GB NVMe | 96GB | Talos | Control Plane |
The Software Stack
Operating System: Talos Linux
Anton runs on Talos Linux, an immutable Kubernetes-focused operating system. Unlike traditional Linux distributions, Talos:
- Has no SSH access or package manager
- Is configured entirely through declarative YAML
- Provides atomic updates and rollbacks
- Offers enhanced security through immutability
This choice eliminated the operational overhead of managing traditional Linux installations while providing a rock-solid foundation for Kubernetes.
Kubernetes Distribution
The cluster runs vanilla Kubernetes deployed through Talos, giving me:
- High Availability: Three control-plane nodes ensure the cluster survives hardware failures
- Workload Flexibility: All nodes can run workloads, maximizing resource utilization
- Latest Features: Direct access to upstream Kubernetes releases
Conclusion
Hosting your own hardware (and software) can be a great way to learn while avoiding bills from cloud providers. For anyone considering a similar project, the cluster-template provides an excellent starting point.
The complete Anton configuration is available on GitHub, showcasing real-world GitOps practices and Kubernetes patterns.