Vicious Computers
Playclaw 5 Game Screen Capture Software Detailed Review
updated
We will also cover how to fix the FOV being cropped/zoomed when playing at wider than 16:9 aspect ratio.
With these two fixes the game is so much more enjoayble now!
For the FOV Fix:
Navigate to
C:\Users\%UserName%\AppData\Local\Pal\Saved\Config\Windows
Open the configuration file named
Engine.ini
Add these two lines to the bottom of the config file
[/script/engine.localplayer]
AspectRatioAxisConstraint=AspectRatio_MaintainYFOV
For a Custom Windowed Mode Resolution
Open the configuration file named
GameUserSettings.ini
And change the resolution as desired for
ResolutionSizeX=XXXX
ResolutionSizeY=XXXX
LastUserConfirmedResolutionSizeX=XXXX
LastUserConfirmedResolutionSizeY=XXXX
Note that this was for Windowed mode I do not know if it works for full screen!
As for my program/script
That can be another video if there is a demand for me to write the code so its universal for others to use. Let me know in the comments if that is something that interest you.
The big difference between the script and this fix is it adds the black bars making windowed mode feel like full screen, I can set any size window instantly and have it fit perfectly to the screen, and I can add othert convienences like hold F hotkey for crafting.
The "fix" is to play in Windowed mode.
But then you see all of your distracting background items, your desktop, your pop ups, etc.
So this is the fix FOR THAT :)
Basically a handy lightweight script self contained to add black bars to the game and protect immersion, while also making the game more convient to play in windowed mode by adding hotkeys to bring the game in and out of focus.
Here is the link to download the current v1 of my program:
dropbox.com/scl/fi/zmtka6j13e7lporaizgqr/Fix-Cyberpunk-Ultrawide.exe?rlkey=mla0l800yeniz8gksydhcltln&dl=0
If you prefer to look at the source code and compile yourself or just want to learn from me and see how I wrote this, here is the source code:
dropbox.com/scl/fi/yuqi3j54lmfhqusdkp1q5/Fix-Cyberpunk-Ultrawide.au3?rlkey=qmx8j6il0mlve4xfguitr7guv&dl=0
This has only been tested on my computer with my game, I have learned the hard way that many varibles mean many possible issues.
So if this does not work for you I can probably fix it, but I will need information from you as to why its not working.
The biggest issue I am wondering about is the name of the game window changing for people depending on the version. I have the GOG version.
I can add a guide on how to find that name and even add that as a varible in the config file, but lets start small :)
With the last thing to finally arrive, time to build!
I have been building my own PC’s for over 20 years, I used to want to try to build something new every couple of years, but it has gotten more expensive, more things demand my time and money, and computers also just kinda started to actually last longer without needing to be replaced.
But the itch needed scratching, I wanted better stuff for AI generation, Gaming, and Video Editing.
I researched every part for compatibility and had this whole build planned out to ensure it was a perfect build, and if very much was everything fit and worked perfectly!
Build Specs:
Case: Phanteks NV7
amzn.to/4awnYv8
PSU: Corsair HX1500i
amzn.to/41vzgvP
RAM: G.Skill Trident Z 96GB @ 6400 32-39-39-74 48GB x2
amzn.to/41yz6ne
Fans: Lian Li AL120V2 x12
amzn.to/478ehQJ
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
amzn.to/47aFbYc
Cooler: EK Nucleus CR360 Lux
amzn.to/47dcnOX
Storage: Samsung 990 Pro 4TB x4
amzn.to/3RTMoHO
GPU: MSI Nvidia RTX 4090 Suprim Liquid X
amzn.to/4avPLfm
Mobo: MSI X670E Meg Ace
amzn.to/3GW9oj0
If any evidence was given for the claim it was usually a picture of them downloading a game from the Steam Client.
This testing is inherently flawed in many ways, even an internet speed test is not a super reliable way to test between the two as you have variables out of your control.
Using the same techniques I have used as a network engineer to test, diagnose and troublshoot networks.
I put the OG Steam Deck up against the new OLED Steam Deck to see if their really is any difference in the speeds.
The video says the rest, so hopefully the next time you see someone making a false claim, you can share this video as your evidence to spread good informaton instead of letting false information further spead.
Music by Alexi Action from Pixabay
The FJD PowerSec 90 V-Mount Battery is one of those items, a welcome addition to my toolkit that I use for both work and play.
For those looking for more information on this product.
Product Specs Page:
https://s.id/1WA1N
If you’re an Amazon Shopper like myself, you can find this battery here:
amzn.to/47t4W6F
If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments section!
This was a perfect chance to put it to use.
Now our epic voyage begins!
Something like this is incredibly useful for many cameras that can run on V-Mount or USB Power that need extended run time.
In the case of the R5C its mandatory to unlock some of its higher recording modes, and to get battery life that is acceptable.
While I had already built my own, I had to pick this up as well to see if it was better, and this video covers my thoughts and hopefully helps you decide if you want to get this.
There are various models going up in power available.
YU150
YU200
YU300
Check Availability on Amazon:
amzn.to/41xKgbE
Official Product Page:
gvmled.com/yu150r-exp
This is affecting the most people after the most recent SteamOS 3.4 update as it changed the EFI boot loader settings.
We could manually fix those things, but this is the easiest solution that I could come up with to share, not everybody wants to get super details with terminal commands and system investigation.
Neewer 18.3” RGB LED Lights - amzn.to/3XakaZZ
Behringer X18 Digital Mixer - amzn.to/3TLWIiH
If your looking at the new Elgato Stream Deck + as a way to control system audio and use the Elgato Wave Link software, STOP. Watch this first, as there are cheaper ways to do this that you should know before making that purchase decision.
If you want to control your audio editor or video editor, STOP. We can do that too.
What about OBS, yep, You bet we can control that too.
I am just showing you one of MANY devices that can do this for a fraction of the cost, and the software you need to do it.
Software List:
Midikey2Key: https://midikey2key.de/
OSIMidi: osimidi.com
Midi Mixer: midi-mixer.com
I got down to 3 top picks.
The Elgato Facecam Pro, the Insta360 Link, and the Nexigo Iris.
After all the research and comparison, the Nexigo was my first purchase, and here is why.
If you do decide to purchase this is my Amazon Affiliate link for this product to help support the channel and fuel future product reviews.
Nexigo Iris Webcam on Amazon: amzn.to/3NSGXoT
Requested by viewers and delivered.
Downloads:
CRU Utility: monitortests.com/forum/Thread-Custom-Resolution-Utility-CRU
Steam Deck BIN File: pixeldrain.com/u/urKpQhSj
The accessories I currently use and love for the Steam Deck:
1TB Micro SD Cards
SanDisk: amzn.to/3D2fLQG
Amazon: amzn.to/3VBDE8S
GearIT Keyboard Dock w/ Power Delivery, Ethernet, HDMI: amzn.to/3s0h8cz
Baseus 65W 3000mAh Power Bank: amzn.to/3D1p7wa
Baseus 65W Charger: amzn.to/3eyLQX7
Sabrent USB C Hub with HDMI and Power Delivery: amzn.to/3s0Cd6v
OwlTree Foldable Stand: amzn.to/3eGXq2s
Samsung USB Drive: amzn.to/3Tv2WnC
Timecode:
0:00 Intro
0:58 Downloads
2:10 Install
4:13 Testing
7:54 Conclusion
If later you find yourself short on space and your frustrated now you have to start all over again, fret not you don’t!
This guide will walk you through how to non-destructively move and resize your partitions to change your allocated space without losing any data or games.
Other Videos:
Dual Boot Shared Space Tutorial: youtu.be/t4rKex1-QKI
The accessories I currently use and love for the Steam Deck:
1TB Micro SD Cards
SanDisk: amzn.to/3D2fLQG
Amazon: amzn.to/3VBDE8S
GearIT Keyboard Dock w/ Power Delivery, Ethernet, HDMI: amzn.to/3s0h8cz
Baseus 65W 3000mAh Power Bank: amzn.to/3D1p7wa
Baseus 65W Charger: amzn.to/3eyLQX7
Sabrent USB C Hub with HDMI and Power Delivery: amzn.to/3s0Cd6v
OwlTree Foldable Stand: amzn.to/3eGXq2s
Samsung USB Drive: amzn.to/3Tv2WnC
Timecode:
0:00 Intro
2:35 Shrink Steam Partition
5:26 Move and Extend Windows Partition
7:44 Conclusion and Summary
Before you make the change, I urge you to watch this video and find out exactly how much a performance boost you can expect.
The accessories I currently use and love for the Steam Deck:
1TB Micro SD Cards
SanDisk: amzn.to/3D2fLQG
Amazon: amzn.to/3VBDE8S
GearIT Keyboard Dock w/ Power Delivery, Ethernet, HDMI: amzn.to/3s0h8cz
Baseus 65W 3000mAh Power Bank: amzn.to/3D1p7wa
Baseus 65W Charger: amzn.to/3eyLQX7
Sabrent USB C Hub with HDMI and Power Delivery: amzn.to/3s0Cd6v
OwlTree Foldable Stand: amzn.to/3eGXq2s
Samsung USB Drive: amzn.to/3Tv2WnC
TimeCode
0:00 Introduction
1:34 1GB Final Fantasy XIV Bench
8:52 1GB Resident Evil 6 Bench
12:23 1GB Street Fighter V Bench
19:36 1GB Rise of Tombraider Bench
21:52 1GB Horizon Zero Dawn Bench
26:13 How to Change the UMA Buffer Setting
27:37 Verifying 4GB Change
28:23 4GB Final Fantasy XIV Bench
35:34 4GB Resident Evil 6 Bench
38:24 4GB Street Fighter V Bench
45:29 4GB Rise of Tombraider Bench
47:29 4GB Horizon Zero Dawn Bench
51:21 Conclusion / Summary
Why try this new method instead of the previously known and published methods already out there?
Showing is telling, and this short should answer those questions for you.
Full Tutorial on setting this up: youtu.be/t4rKex1-QKI
The goal is to add Windows to the Steam Deck to increase versatility of the platform.
Being able to easily run GOG, Battle.net, Epic Games, Photoshop, Mods, etc. Either in situations that a Linux product does not exist, Proton does not work, or anti-cheat is preventing you from using it. Having Windows gives you a valid solution.
I have already used Windows to help me Install Moguri Mod for FFIX, and to play Hearthstone on Battle.net perfectly!
But how do we add Windows without making it a mess and a fuss?
Also, what about losing all that precious storage space for Steam OS, or even Windows by having to divide our storage space?
This guide is a solution to all of that.
Easy and Clean Dual Boot, Almost no waisted space, nor any worry about what OS should get what amount of space as all that space is now SHARED.
Why Shared Storage? Video Here: youtu.be/UOCILMf8BYU
Follow along with the video to see how to do it, and here are the links for all the resources.
What You Need:
Atleast 1 8GB USB Drive with USB C or a Hub
Recommended: Keyboard, Mouse, 2 USB Drives 8GB+
1.) Download Steam Deck Recovery Image
a. help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1b71-edf2-eb6d-2bb3
2.) Download Windows 10/11 Image
a. support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-installation-media-for-windows-99a58364-8c02-206f-aa6f-40c3b507420d
3.) Download Rufus
a. https://rufus.ie/en/
4.) Download Windows Steam Deck Drivers
a. help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/6121-ECCD-D643-BAA8
5.) Download BTRFS Driver for Windows
a. github.com/maharmstone/btrfs
6.) Create Windows and Steam OS USB Drives with Rufus
7.) Copy Windows Drivers and BTRFS Driver to Windows USB Drive
8.) Image Steam OS onto Steam Deck
9.) Convert from EXT4 to BTRFS
a. gitlab.com/popsulfr/steamos-btrfs
10.) Shrink Home Partition to make room for Windows
11.) Install Windows OS Onto Steam Deck
12.) Install Steam Deck Drivers onto Steam Deck
13.) Install BTRFS Drivers for Windows
14.) Install ReFind for easier dual boot
a. github.com/jlobue10/SteamDeck_rEFInd
The accessories I currently use and love for the Steam Deck:
1TB Micro SD Cards
SanDisk: amzn.to/3D2fLQG
Amazon: amzn.to/3VBDE8S
GearIT Keyboard Dock w/ Power Delivery, Ethernet, HDMI: amzn.to/3s0h8cz
Baseus 65W 3000mAh Power Bank: amzn.to/3D1p7wa
Baseus 65W Charger: amzn.to/3eyLQX7
Sabrent USB C Hub with HDMI and Power Delivery: amzn.to/3s0Cd6v
OwlTree Foldable Stand: amzn.to/3eGXq2s
Samsung USB Drive: amzn.to/3Tv2WnC
Timecode:
0:00 Introduction
3:40 Downloads & Resources
5:45 Building Windows and Steam OS Boot Drives
10:06 Imaging Steam OS
14:30 Convert File System to BTRFS
19:20 Create Windows Partition
22:45 Imaging Windows 11
24:48 Windows 11 Driver Install
31:00 Creating Windows Directories
34:57 Installing ReFind
39:00 Dual Boot Demonstration
39:50 Outro
This was a topic of discussion several times, that YouTube does / does not support 5.1 surround.
Now here is the proof, that it indeed does, this is not a AV upmix, nor is this the paid YouTube TV platform.
Equipment Used in this Video:
Canon M50 Mk II - amzn.to/3n5x2zQ
Zoom F6 - amzn.to/39KDj0I
Insta360 One RS - amzn.to/3Ox7Ldp
Sonic Presence SP15 Pro - sonicpresence.com/products/sonic-presence-xlr
The video player application used is SmartTubeNext available directly from its creator at GitHub:
github.com/yuliskov/SmartTubeNext
So this was as much a test to see how to use equipment and edit it as well as a useful way to combine my walk and do a vlog to update everyone about the channel.
I have a slew of new equipment on the way to produce new content types, and wanted to reach out and see what kind of content interests everyone the most.
New Gear:
Insta360 ONE RS (used to film this video)
DJI Wireless Microphones (used to film this video)
Rode NT-SF1 Ambisonic Microphone
Sonic Presence SP15 Pro Binaural Microphone
Zoom F6 Field Recorder
Looking forward to getting some of this new content out, and guides/tutorials for those who wish to learn my workflow to edit and upload the new content.
The Panamax / Furman Pro series power units feature full control via local Telnet, with current market prices these are nearly 1/5th the cost of a standard 1 outlet smart switch and 10x the quality.
So today lets dive into the fun stuff and learn how to take one mans trash and turn it into anthers treasure.
Panamax M4315-Pro on Amazon:
amzn.to/3GCWPs6
Of all products I had looked at this was the most perfect solution as it has a DC 12v Trigger Input and all 8 outlets can be individually programed and toggled according to my needs.
As a bonus it has great surge protection, noise isolation, can be found dirt cheap, and with the right knowledge can even be integrated into home automation.
If you prefer to buy one new, they can be found on Amazon:
amzn.to/3lO8ESC
Here is one location for a manual to use as reference:
content.abt.com/documents/25897/User_M4315PRO.pdf
Here is the website for Putty:
putty.org
12v Trigger from AVR
Relay: amzn.to/37xhsZE
12v Trigger Cable: amzn.to/3MZsqpN
3 Pin Phoenix Connectors: amzn.to/3Pkjiy6
Alternative Power Sensing Outlet
Smart Outlet: amzn.to/3P8mvjY
Crown XLS Drivecore 2 models are XLS 1002, 1502, 2002, and 2502
They have 1/4" TS, RCA and XLR inputs.
Adjustable input sensitivity
The LEDS and Status Screen can be turned off for a stealth install.
As Class D Amplifiers they are incredibly efficient, and do not produce much heat.
By design they are rack-mountable and very versatile and quite bullet proof.
So easily used for Home Theater, DJing, Karaoke, Live Music, etc.
You will likely find amps similar to these at many local movie theaters.
My local theater is using Crown DSI amps, if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me!
I think this support is primarily for the new YouTube TV platform where they want people to be able to watch movies in 5.1.
The issue is of course what apps or platforms can use this data and having a setup configured in a way to make use of it.
Sorry for how shaky this is, holding a phone with one hand and a remote with the other. I do suffer from mild parkinsons, I'll be happy to retake this video more professionally down the road but this was a quick one off for demonstration purposes.
App:
SmartTube Next Beta
Hardware:
Nvidia Shield Pro
Onkyo TX-RZ50
WLED:
github.com/Aircoookie/WLED
LEDFX:
https://ledfx.app/
github.com/ahodges9/LedFx
It does give off a really cool effect, but out of the box it is unfortunately not suitable for home automation.
However, Fear Not! Here is my hack that I used to incorporate this item into all my home automation sketches. It was not hard to do and I think this guide will help you achieve the same results.
Items Used in this video.
BlissLights Sky Lite (Blue)
amzn.to/3aGFlNk
22AWG Hook Up Wire
amzn.to/2KBFGq3
12mm Locking Push Button Switch
amzn.to/2KCfY4D
Wire Terminal Crimping Tool Kit
amzn.to/37OHuVC
I have not played much Cyberpunk 2077 yet but built this around the blue/red and yellow color scheme of the logo.
Rather than a formal style video where I make it a guide/tutorial this is sort of a monolog vlog style where you can just follow along with me as I work.
Let me know if you like this style video as I am sure I can find many more projects to do the same!
If you would like to try and follow along and do something similar here is the list of parts and tools that I used.
30 LED / Meter IP65 WS2811 12v LED Strips
amzn.to/3aGWTJt
NodeMCU ESP8266
amzn.to/3mRizoq
LM2596 Buck Converters
amzn.to/34KZFcC
18AWG Hook Up Wire
amzn.to/3pAamqL
22AWG Hook Up Wire
amzn.to/38wYRcB
Mean Well 350W 12v Power Supply
amzn.to/2KRxuls
12AWG 2 Conductor Wire
amzn.to/2WJghgB
Spade Terminal Connectors
amzn.to/3ruRhaS
Power Distribution Blocks
amzn.to/34Hu9wn
Terminal Crimp Tool & Kit
amzn.to/2WInihR
Soldering Iron Kit
amzn.to/3rpzjql
LED Strip JST SM Connectors
amzn.to/37LkaYz
Ryobi Wireless Hot Glue Gun
amzn.to/3pkXTa8
Ratcheting Wire Terminal Crimp Tool
amzn.to/34FSoeo
Don't buy a bigger card! Make a smaller image!
This works for any .IMG file for any device you need to write/flash it to so this tutorial is good for so much more than just RetroPi and Micro SD Cards!
Before you can use the information in this video, please first get WSL2 installed and working on your machine following this guide:
youtube.com/watch?v=1bP3POWync8
Hope you found this video helpful.
Now based on my work, you can take this concept and build your own “over-engineered” flashing device in your own way or follow the parts list below and make one just like mine.
Amazon Parts List:
Project Box: amzn.to/3et5opu
USB Extension Cable: amzn.to/2C8maNI
Jumper Wires: amzn.to/2DzbFTS
Terminal Strips: amzn.to/3050v0M
Push Button Switches: amzn.to/3ftDMSr
USB Serial Converter: amzn.to/30awAnM
Tools and Things You May Want
Soldering Iron: amzn.to/2DCiwvP
Terminal Crimping Kit: amzn.to/2Okcwdr
Burning Tool: amzn.to/32s8BDJ
My Termite One Liner Template to program my Tasmota Devices:
Backlog SSID1 YourSSIDName; Password1 YourSSIDPassword; MqttHost YourMQTTServer; MqttUser YourMQTTServerUserName; MqttPassword YourMQTTUserPassword
Now in WSL 2 you can actually run a complete Linux Kernel right alongside of Windows 10.
Take a look at this video for the How To: to get it installed, use it, and some of the neat tips and tricks of what it can do for you, and the advantages of having this installed on Windows 10 as compared to a separate Linux computer install.
Update Your Windows 10 Easiest Using Window Media Creation Tool:
microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Update Manually to the newest Linux Kernal for Windows:
docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/wsl2-kernel
Stuff I Use For My Setup:
Microphone Synco MIC-D2: amzn.to/3f7gTVd
Microphone Shure SM7B: amzn.to/2zLZ0LA
Preamp for Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1: amzn.to/2WbyKBK
Headphones Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: amzn.to/3bO8fJc
Headphones Audio Technica ATH-M50x: amzn.to/3f3nznv
Headphone Monitor/Amp Rolls PM50se: amzn.to/3d7QapT
Mixer Behringer X18 Air: amzn.to/2Wa0ZRk
Camera Canon M50: amzn.to/2VSO9bl
This video is a PSA about everybody's favorite Laser Star/Nebula projector (Especially you r/Hue guys!) and the major complaint I see over and over again about this one is that its not Smart Home friendly since it does not retain its power state.
Get your own here: amzn.to/3ekwgIb
Well without much work at all, here is an easy hack to fix that problem for you. Your Welcome! :)
Keep in mind that I am going to expand upon this video and upgrade this hack to a proper switch or smart switch inside the unit in a future video, but for those who don't wish to go that far with it. This is your solution!
**NOTE** You need something that can press that button down very firm, even a little loss of pressure and it wont make good contact and you get strange results.
It seems HDMI capture is not really a good option as we do not have "clean" HDMI on this camera, and all the software that let you use this camera is shady or cost money.
This is a FREE and OFFICIAL solution to that problem.
Please enjoy the PSA and let me know if this news helps you or you have any problems.
Stuff I Use For My Setup:
Microphone Synco MIC-D2: amzn.to/3f7gTVd
Microphone Shure SM7B: amzn.to/2zLZ0LA
Preamp for Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1: amzn.to/2WbyKBK
Headphones Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: amzn.to/3bO8fJc
Headphones Audio Technica ATH-M50x: amzn.to/3f3nznv
Headphone Monitor/Amp Rolls PM50se: amzn.to/3d7QapT
Mixer Behringer X18 Air: amzn.to/2Wa0ZRk
Camera Canon M50: amzn.to/2VSO9bl
This video will show you step by step how to preform this automation.
Stuff I Use For My Setup:
Microphone Synco MIC-D2: amzn.to/3f7gTVd
Microphone Shure SM7B: amzn.to/2zLZ0LA
Preamp for Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1: amzn.to/2WbyKBK
Headphones Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: amzn.to/3bO8fJc
Headphones Audio Technica ATH-M50x: amzn.to/3f3nznv
Headphone Monitor/Amp Rolls PM50se: amzn.to/3d7QapT
Mixer Behringer X18 Air: amzn.to/2Wa0ZRk
Camera Canon M50: amzn.to/2VSO9bl
In searching for a way to either have a visible overlay of my capture area or snap my windows to the correct area I found PowerToys and it offered the perfect FREE! solution.
This video goes over this program from Microsoft and also how I set it up to be as perfect as possible.
We also briefly cover how to configure OBS Studio to capture the screen as we need.
Stuff I Use For My Setup:
Microphone Synco MIC-D2: amzn.to/3f7gTVd
Microphone Shure SM7B: amzn.to/2zLZ0LA
Preamp for Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1: amzn.to/2WbyKBK
Headphones Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: amzn.to/3bO8fJc
Headphones Audio Technica ATH-M50x: amzn.to/3f3nznv
Headphone Monitor/Amp Rolls PM50se: amzn.to/3d7QapT
Mixer Behringer X18 Air: amzn.to/2Wa0ZRk
Camera Canon M50: amzn.to/2VSO9bl
I think this is a solid platform and should be easy to use for anybody, but still offers the detailed behind the scenes configuration options that enterprise wireless experts are used too.
For those wanting to see the CLI guide mentioned in the video:
dropbox.com/s/947pnqfpzk2f824/Unleashed%20-200.5%20-%20CLI%20Reference%20Guide%20-%20Rev%20B%20-%2020171009.pdf?dl=0
Video Contents
0:00 - Intro
1:45 - Unleashed Web GUI
8:55 - Unleashed Mobile App
11:00 Unleashed SSH CLI
We will cover these things and more:
Factory Reset
Initialization of the Web Interface
Firmware Flashing
Accessing Ruckus Unleashed SSID & Web Interface
Configuration of Master Access Point
Configuration of 2nd Access Point as Standby
I might do a couple more videos on the Unleashed Access Points to take a deep dive in the features and go over the performance improvements I have seen after replacing my Ubiquiti APs.
Any questions? Ask!
-ViciousXUSMC
I already got rid of my Ubiquiti switches and replaced them with the HPE Aruba S2500's (and those are about to get replaced with ICX Brocade switches).
The next thing to go is the Access Points, selling them and moving into Ruckus Wireless gear.
The best value for the $ was the Ruckus R600 featuring a 3x3 SU-MIMO layout. They have the unleashed firmware that lets you control them just like how you control the Unifi environment but without a controller installed on a server or a cloud key!
Instead you just have one of the AP's run as the controller, its super convenient and works great.
I have seen tremendous signal improvements now with the new AP's and overall more stable connections and better speeds. I do like the Ubiquiti gear, but definitely I am liking the Ruckus stuff even more.
Ubiquiti is very smart in how they entice you into the unifi experience, just one device and you are hooked wanting more and more gear in that one single pane of glass. I am glad I was able to break the spell and go back to just using the best stuff for the money and not getting myself locked into a single vendor.
As an enterprise switch it has top end hardware components and is capable of putting out a lot of PoE Power.
For the actual switch information check out Ruckus’s site as they bought Brocade or here is a great PDF document: flyteccomputers.com/ext/brocade/brocade-icx-6430-6450-ds.pdf
The switch comes as a 24 or 48 port with and without PoE.
ICX 6450-48P : 48 Port PoE
ICX 6450-24P : 24 Port PoE
ICX 6450-24 : 24 Port No PoE
ICX 6450-48 : 48 Port No PoE
As for our modification we are using 40x40x20mm Sunon Maglev Fans.
The ones I used in the video were the Sunon KDE1204PKVX (6.8CFM) fans from Amazon: amzn.to/2ERbD87
I actually intended to buy the MB40201VX (10.2CFM) fans but the seller had the wrong picture so I got the wrong fans. Here is a listing for the correct fans: amzn.to/2HikaT6
Also good news! – I am 99% sure that CoolerGuys has already reversed the correct wires for you on the fan listed “For Cisco Routers & Switches” so that saves you the trouble.
Edit: A user tried these fans and said the pins *ARE NOT* in the correct order so be sure to test your switch and move the pins needed for the correct order.
In addition to the fans I used 1.25” #8 screws with a threaded nut: amzn.to/2XHipVA & amzn.to/2XHzM8r (Item# 887480037814 @ Home Depot)
Fan Pinout Information
Stock Fans Had Black, Yellow, Green wires.
BYG
Black is Ground
Yellow is 12v
Green is Sensor
New Fans Use standard Yellow, Red, Black
YRB
Yellow is Sensor
Red is 12v
Black is Ground.
So you can see the common position is the center wire on both is 12v but the colors are not the same.
What we need to do is change the Yellow and Black wires around.
BRY
Then we will have the pin out to match the factory fans.
Wire for wire matching:
Old Wire Black – New Wire Black
Old Wire Yellow – New Wire Red
Old Wire Green – New Wire Yellow
S2500 Fan Mod Video: youtu.be/l5BfpDhR5ME
This video is the follow up to the initial configuration video that went over the basics to get up and running as a Layer 2 switch.
In this video we get into the intermediate commands and settings needed to get started as a Layer 3 switch with VLANS, Jumbo Frames, Switching Profiles, Administrative User Accounts, and a bunch of useful show commands.
Bonus: How to update firmware from USB and a download link to the newest firmware for the HPE Aruba S2500 from the HPE Site: dropbox.com/sh/bbnbvlxzlayc7lq/AACfdWRovWPV-mbxEsPMq6Mba?dl=0
Rough Summary of Commands in this Video for Reference
Creating a new Admin User
From Configure Terminal
Mgmt-user -name -role
Show mgmt-user
Setting Jumbo Frames
From Configure Terminal
Interface -interface
Description -name
Mtu 9216
Show interface brief
Show interface status
Show interface -interface
Creating a VLAN
From Configure Terminal
Vlan -vlan#
Description test
Interface vlan -vlan#
Ip address -ip -mask
Show vlan
Show interface vlan
Deleting a VLAN
From configure terminal
No vlan -vlan#
No interface vlan -vlan#
Create Switching Profile
Interface-profile switching-profile -name
Access vlan XX
Native vlan XX
Assign Switching Profile
Interface -interface
Switching-profile -name
This is technically an unsupported version of Ubuntu, but with just a few easy fixes you can get Pi-hole installed and working on Ubuntu's newest release versions.
Hope you enjoy the guide and looking forward to seeing you in one of our next videos.
Text for commands in the video.
1.) Update Installation
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo reboot
2.) Back up old Sources List
sudo cp /etc/apt/sources.list /etc/apt/sources.list.bak
3.) Edit Repository Sources to Include Universe
sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
Have this entry
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic main universe
4.) Update Repository Again
sudo apt-get update
5.) Install missing dependencies for pi-hole
sudo apt-get --no-install-recommends install dialog dhcpcd5
6.) Install pi-hole
curl -sSL install.pi-hole.net | bash
Reset Pi-Hole Password
sudo pihole -a -p
Pi-Hole Admin URL
http://server-address/admin
However the knowledge within can be used outside of Draw.io just to make your own custom url’s to launch programs. This technique can be used in any way you would like for any program or webpage.
So this tutorial is a lot more about custom registry editing, and AutoIT scripting than it is Draw.io, but we are integrating all of this with Draw.io to take our network diagram to the next level.
Now it’s a lot more than a pretty picture, it’s a functional tool for network management!
I hope you enjoy the content and find it useful in some way.
-ViciousXUSMC
I found this program easy to use, and while not feature rich has all the features you would need. Including the ability to export to numerous file formats and even turn your diagram into an interactive network map.
Compared to the paid programs like Visio or Gliffy this is a no brainier, it won't cost you any money, just a bit of your time and these skills can be useful for both home and work.
In Part 2 of the video soon to come I will go over something I created to take the functionality of this program to a whole different level, I promise it's pretty cool stuff so stay tuned for Part 2!
Noctua NF-A4x20 FLX - amzn.to/2Mb5aH4
Same fans/mod for S2500-48P S2500-48T S2500-24P S2500-24T
The other tools I used that can be substituted for what you have on hand.
• #1 Philips Screwdriver (precision works best)
o amzn.to/2SXx0cv
• A Drill with a 3/16” Bit (widen fan screw holes)
o amzn.to/2VSYIsO
• Wire Cutters or Scissors (cut wire management ties)
o amzn.to/2VSYIsO
• A Dremel with a Sanding Bit (to file away the fan connector to fit)
o amzn.to/2suGLDj
• Vice Grips (to Hold Fan Connectors)
o amzn.to/2stg1TF
• Cisco 3850 Brackets and Power Cable
o amzn.to/2SSLieh
• M4 8mm Screws (For Brackets)
o amzn.to/2suJ0GJ
Since the switch was so cheap I did not mind investing into it a bit to make it even better, and now I have a one of a kind S2500 and got to enjoy a fun DIY project.
If you have any questions let me know!
I ended up solving my own problem for the symptoms I reported in this video: youtu.be/3WPrQUoMcIk
Come to find out I had performance issues all along with FreeNAS and never knew it because the 1gb interface was not fast enough to really expose the issue.
Upgrading to 10gb caused actual packet loss due to the problem, and made me start having to investigate. Ends up the Plex issue was a FreeNAS issue with how it bridges network interfaces, and by fixing Plex it also fixed my slow speeds on my 10gb link, AND it also fixed the sluggish response to my jails.
Now everything is so snappy and fast!
As a bonus I was able to turn security back on for my vSwitch as I no longer need promiscuous mode or forged transmits.
This is meant to be an all-inclusive tutorial on all the steps needed for the initial configuration of an HPE Aruba S2500 Switch so that if you buy one you can have a guide to help you along with setup.
This guide will work for any of the S2500 and the S3500 models S2500-48T S2500-48P S2500-24T and S2500-24P.
We will cover.
- Factory Reset
- Initial Quick Configuration using the Quick Setup GUI
- Reaching the Web Interface
- Setting up our Administrator Password
- Setting our Enable Password
- Setting Our Switch Management IP
- Downloading and Updating the Firmware / ArubaOS
- Using SSH
- Disable the Default Stacking Ports to Enable 4x SFP+ Ports for Switched Networking
I will cover the “gotchas” as we go for things to look out for, and as this video is integrated into part of my “Upgrading My Network to 10gb on the Cheap” series.
I go over a bit of the influential reasons why the S2500 was the switch I purchased over the other more common choices like the Microtik Cloud Switches. [Mikrotik CSS326-24G-2S] [Mikrotik CRS305-1G-4S+IN] [CRS226-24G-2S+IN] [CRS226-24G-2S+RM]
Fans are very quiet for enterprise switches, but I am doing a fan mod and replacing the fans with Noctua NF-A4x20 FLX Fans.
You can find them with the best prices here on Amazon:
Noctua NF-A4x20 FLX - amzn.to/2DamN7e
Also buying this to clean up my rack.
Cable Management! - amzn.to/2TSw4X4
Update Your Firmware:
Aruba Site: http://support.arubanetworks.com/LifetimeWarrantySoftware/tabid/121/DMXModule/661/EntryId/22078/Default.aspx
HPE Networking Site: http://hpe.com/networking/mynetworking
I Purchased My Switches From Ebay
S2500-48T from rakicomputers: ebay.com/usr/rakicomputers?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2754
2500-24P from ocean-tech: ebay.com/usr/ocean-tech?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2754
This is a video to expose an issue I am looking into, it is easier to show the issue than to explain it. So using this as material for troubleshooting.
If you think you know what is going on, let me know!
Download IOMeter: http://www.iometer.org
This is part 2 in a small mini series of videos about updating my network to 10gb. I need to make sure performance is what we expect and I want to know the before and after speeds.
This is the 2nd and final test I will run to ensure speeds are recorded before the upgrade and we will run this again after to see the difference.
How to use it, what it does, and why to use it.
Download iPerf3: https://iperf.fr/iperf-download.php
Or Linux Peeps: Apt-Get Install iperf3 / yum install iperf3
Dragging a File from A to B is not a network test, doing a speedtest.net run is not a network test, if you want a solid, true baseline of your actual network and its performance this is an easy way to do it.
It will clearly let you know if you have an issue at the network level before you start worrying about it being your internet, your hard disks, or anything else.
I have more videos coming for IOMeter to test further, as well as disks, and when we upgrade to 10gb we want to make sure we are getting our full speeds, so this is exactly how we are going to do it!
Everything used in this video is free to download, and we break it down into the step by step needed to complete this project for beginners. If you have any questions be sure to ask!
Product Links:
Moyina USB to TTL Serial Flash Device
amzn.to/2rZHvka
Header Wires
amzn.to/2KJPKru
Sonoff Basic Device
amzn.to/2Lgrle2
Last Video for how to Flash Tasmota:
youtu.be/UDnNI5wkNNY
Download Links:
Tasmota Releases
github.com/arendst/Sonoff-Tasmota/releases
AutoIT
autoitscript.com/site/autoit/downloads
Informational Links
Sonoff Tasmota Wiki
github.com/arendst/Sonoff-Tasmota/wiki
Any Questions? Comments? Let me know!
-ViciousXUSMC
No hassles, no hoops, just an easy to follow guide where I take you step by step through the process.
A shout out to Dr Zzs who was the person that gave me good information first and inspired me to do this video, and to Pete Stothers who demonstrated this flashing method.
Product Links:
Moyina USB to TTL Serial Flash Device
amzn.to/2rZHvka
Header Wires
amzn.to/2KJPKru
Sonoff Basic Device
amzn.to/2Lgrle2
Download Links:
ESPEasy Releases
github.com/letscontrolit/ESPEasy/releases
ESPURNA Releases
github.com/xoseperez/espurna/releases
Tasmota Releases
github.com/arendst/Sonoff-Tasmota/releases
Termite Software
compuphase.com/software_termite.htm
Thank You & Informational Links
Dr Zz’s Flashing Video
youtube.com/watch?v=c2IUIUnxjUY
Pete Stothers Flashing Video
youtube.com/watch?v=MOEmVYn4I8A
Sonoff Tasmota Wiki
github.com/arendst/Sonoff-Tasmota/wiki
Commands Used In Tutorial
SSID1 – Set Wireless Network Name
Password1 – Set Password for SSID
IpAddress1 – Set Static IP Address for Sonoff Device
IPAddress2 – Set Gateway IP for Sonoff Device
IPAddress3 – Set Subnet Mask for Sonoff Device
Any Questions? Comments? Let me know!
-ViciousXUSMC


