LINUX Unplugged 650: This Old Network
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Jan 19, 2026 A chaotic journey unfolds as the team revamps a struggling clinic's network using Linux tools. They face hurdles like faulty Wi-Fi and printer connectivity, experimenting with Smart Home integrations along the way. NixOS takes the spotlight as they pivot to optimize routing with a USB-tethered MiFi. A glitchy bridge raises eyebrows until they harness LLMs for troubleshooting. Listener contributions spark community initiatives, and tech picks like voice-cloning models share the spotlight, leaving everyone inspired and informed.
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Replace MiFi With Linux Router
- Use a dedicated Linux router instead of relying on a carrier MiFi for stable upstream performance.
- Plug the MiFi into the server over USB and let the server handle DHCP, DNS, and routing to reduce double-NAT and instability.
Local Clinic Network Makeover
- Chris rebuilt his wife's clinic network because her MiFi-based setup was unreliable and lacked local storage.
- They brought a Geekom mini PC, OpenWrt AP, Zigbee dongle, and Symfonisk speakers to migrate services to Linux.
Wi‑Fi Noise Can Hide Root Causes
- Crowded Wi‑Fi bands and overlapping IP ranges can mask root causes like carrier NAT or double hops.
- Removing Wi‑Fi from the upstream path often reveals whether the radio or provider is the bottleneck.