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  "canonicalUrl": "https://justingarrison.com/blog/2026-04-03-kubernetes-carrier-v2",
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  "description": "New and improved mobile Kubernetes cluster",
  "path": "/blog/2026-04-03-kubernetes-carrier-v2",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-03T15:08:13.000Z",
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  "textContent": "In preperation for conferences this year I wanted to update my PETaflop cluster to something that was easier to travel with.\nThe first version of the cluster was challenging to build mostly because of the limited space and power requirements.\nThe next version I had some goals.\n\n1. Cut weight significantly\n1. Improve power efficiency\n1. Make it easier to pack\n\nHe're a video version of this post if you want to watch me put it together instead of read the components.\n\n{{< youtube 5-5KAxYpaVU >}}\n\nCutting weight\n\nThe heaviest thing in v1 of the cluster was the battery I needed to power the computers.\nIt only weight 6lbs but combined with 2 computers, a monitor, network equimpent, etc.\nIt all ads up.\n\nThe battery also wasn't allowed on planes.\nAny time I wanted to travel I'd have to buy a battery, ship it to my destination, and then give it away.\nThat wasn't going to work.\n\nI realized I could get rid of 3 birds with 1 stone by switching the compute to a laptop.\nA computer with battery and screen bulit in is a very novel idea.\n\nIf I wanted the monitor to be visible I needed a computer with a hinge that would rotate all the way around, 270 degrees.\nIt also needed to be small because the cat carrier had limited width.\nAnd of course it needed Linux support because I was going to run Talos Linux on it.\n\nDisclaimer: I work at Sidero Labs.\n\nI found the perfect laptop.\n\n<video lazy=\"true\" loop=\"true\" autoplay preload=\"auto\" src=/video/framework12.mp4></video>\n\nThe Framework 12 met all my criteria and they even offered it in bright, fun colors which was an added bonus.\nThe plastic and slightly rugged case made it perfect for travel so now I just needed to buy one.\n\nI reached out to Framework and asked if they'd be willing to sponsor the build.\nI told them my idea, shared the previous build, and they said yes!\n\nI just needed to spec out what I needed and they'd send me one. ❤️\nI didn't need anything high performance or a ton of storage, so I went slightly conservative on the build hoping it would help save power too.\n\n i5-1334U\n 16GB RAM\n* 500GB storage\n\nPower\n\nNow I needed to figure out how to power the laptop and accessories for as long as possible.\nBecause I was only buying this battery pack once I could get the largest one I was able to fly with.\n\nThe Anker Prime Power Bank was perfect.\n\nIt's a bit pricy but it had an awesome, and a bit scary, feature of being able to charge from two outlets at once.\nIt can take a full 250W input which charges the bank super fast.\n\nI don't have two, 125W power adapters, but even dual 60W adapters helps the bank charge fully in less than 2 hours.\nIt turns out that amount of time is perfect because the laptop has a 4365mAh battery built in which can run the cluster for about an hour.\n\nThis gives about 3 hours of run time powered from the Anker power bank, and 1 hour with the built in battery while the Anker charges.\nThe full backpack runs off the laptop battery which includes the mobile router, fans, and lights.\n\nPacking\n\nSwitching to a laptop removed a lot of extra exquipment I needed for the old cluster.\nThe old version had a 3D printed cage, extra computer for control plane, 7\" monitor, keyboard, power supplies, and tools to assemble everything at my destination.\nI also needed to bring extra bubble wrap to protect the computers and monitor from getting damaged in my suitcase.\n\nThe new version just needed the backpack, laptop, and battery.\nNo tools or external monitor required.\n\nThe cat carrier fits inside my carry-on luggage and I'm able to pack it full of clothes.\nThe extra laptop easily packs and is already protected when closed.\n\nFuture improvements\n\nI don't think the laptop looks as impressive as the old cluster, but it lasts all day and is much easier to package and travel with.\nTrade-offs I'm willing to take.\n\nThere are a handful of things I want to change in the future.\n\n1. Screen brightness and visibility\n1. Interactive application\n1. Multi-node\n\nScreen brightness\n\nThe screen worked fine in dark environments but I'd love to find a way to put the screen outside of the carrier or make it brighter.\nMaking the screen brighter may cause a problem of reflection inside the carrier so I'm looking at possible ways to make the screen sit outside without risking it getting damaged.\n\nInteractive application\n\nThe original application would take a picture and run it through an AI model.\nThe v2 application would just send a video stream with basic object detection.\n\nIt got a lot of smiles but the requirement for internet access made it slow in some environments and didn't give people much to do besides look at themselves.\n\nI'm thinking of ideas to make the cluster work completely offline and give people more to do than just look at a video stream.\nHaving a live video feed also made me careful about where I brought the carrier (e.g. bathrooms).\n\nMulti-node\n\nMy original goal was to have 3 carriers with a way to interact between them both.\nThat still requires internet access, but if I don't need to send a video feed it should reduce the bandwidth.\n\nI'm still looking into this and will hopefully have something new at the next conference.",
  "title": "Kubernetes Carrier V2"
}