Posts on Bitlager Blog

Umbrel on Proxmox: Bitcoin Node Data on External SSD

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:30:00 +0100

Running a Bitcoin Full Node requires over ≈800GB of storage. This guide shows you how to keep Umbrel fast on an internal drive while storing blockchain data on an external drive.

Requirements

Homeserver with Proxmox and Umbrel VM installed
External USB drive (2TB SSD recommended)
- Used in this tutorial: 🛒 Kingston XS2000 2TB
- Cheaper alternative: 🛒 Kingston XS1000 2TB

Proxmox Setup

For these steps, I followed the video by @absprog on YouTube.

Energy Storage Comparison: Hoymiles MS-A2 versus Marstek Venus C

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:30:00 +0100

Info: This article will be gradually enriched with additional information. The conclusion refers to the current state of knowledge of the characteristics compiled in the article.

The top models among AC-coupled storage systems: The Hoymiles MS-A2* and the Marstek Venus C*. Both storage systems can be excellently integrated into an existing balcony power plant. In this article, you’ll learn what distinguishes them and where their strengths lie.

Key Specifications: Hoymiles MS-A2 and Marstek Venus C

Specification	Hoymiles MS-A2	Marstek Venus C
Capacity	2.24kWh	2.56kWh
Cell Type	LiFePO4	LiFePO4
Weight	32kg	45kg
Max. Input Power (AC)	1800W	2500W
Max. Output Power (grid-tied)	800W	800W (2500W possible)
Max. Output Power (off-grid)	800W (briefly: 1200W)	2500W (briefly: 3500W)
Smart Meter	Shelly Pro 3EM*	Shelly Pro 3EM*

Even more characteristics and comparison with many other storage systems can be found in the comprehensive 📑 Balcony Power Plant Storage Comparison (in German) as PDF right here on the blog.

Bitaxe Gamma: Solo Mining with a Chance of finding 3.125 BTC

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 00:30:00 +0100

Discover the Bitaxe Gamma: Open source Bitcoin miner with a chance of finding 3.125 BTC, Noctua upgrade tips, and solar mining with AxeCalibur.

AxeCalibur: Off-Grid Solar-Bitcoin-Mining – Guide & Parts for Europe

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:30:00 +0100

Discover the AxeCalibur: DIY Bitcoin mining with solar energy! A replica of the AxeBox, parts list for Europe, 24/7 mining with BitAxe Gamma – sustainable & unstoppable!

Buy Bitcoin or Mine It? A Plebday Experiment

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 00:30:00 +0100

Buy Bitcoin or get a miner like the Bitaxe Gamma? I’m starting an experiment with €130 for BTC and €130 for a miner – here’s the comparison.

Mikrotik Back to Home Wireguard Setup

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 22:00:30 +0100

In a recent article I already showed the configuration of a Wireguard setup for Mikrotik routers and Android(EN) devices. With RouterOS version v7.12, this is now even easier to do, as Mikrotik has announced in a forum post the new “Back to Home VPN” feature, which builds on a standalone app for Android and iOS as support, making setup much easier.

Requirements

RouterOS version required: v7.12
Hardware requirements: ARM/ARM64/TILE architecture devices
- 🛒 MikroTik hAP ax2 C52iG-5HaxD2HaxD-TC*
- 🛒 MikroTik hAP ax3 C53UiG+5HPaxD2HPaxD*
Packages required: routeros

(Source)

VPN Mikrotik WireGuard Roadwarrior Setup Android

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 00:30:00 +0100

In this article, I want to share how I set up a VPN connection via WireGuard between my MikroTik router and my Android phone. This VPN connection allows me to securely access my home network from anywhere in the world. MikroTik documentation used for this guide.

WireGuard VPN Setup on the MikroTik Router

a) Quick & Easy (without own domain)

In this quick and easy setup, the MikroTik´s own DDNS (Dynamic DNS) service is used. This can be activated in the terminal (source):

UPDATE: Best travel (credit) card(s) in 2023 - Barclays versus Wise

Sat, 15 Jul 2023 13:40:00 +0200

UPDATE (2024): Barclays has updated its price list with effect from 07.12.2023 and the conditions mentioned here in the article no longer match.

A travel (credit) card comparison - is there only one sitting on the throne?

Traveling is fun and one of the purposes of life and spending money is generally a part of it. This guidline is based on my experiences and answers the question “if there is one single best (credit) card for travelling?”.

UPDATE Reduce Energy Usage: How to Automatically Turn Off Your MikroTik Router's Wi-Fi Interfaces at Night

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:00:00 +0100

Disable Wi-Fi Over Night to Save Energy

This article is the first in a series where I will be discussing various topics related to MikroTik devices and their configuration.

I’ve been looking for ways to save energy and I recently discovered that turning off the Wi-Fi interfaces on my MikroTik hAP ax^3 (C53UiG+5HPaxD2HPaxD) router at night can make a difference. I used to leave my router on 24/7, but by turning off the Wi-Fi interfaces during hours when I’m not using them, I’m not only reducing my energy consumption and lowering my electricity bill, but I’m also doing my part to be more environmentally friendly. It’s a small change, but it’s an easy and effective way to make a positive impact on the planet.

UPDATE ServiceNow: Complete List of Syntax Editor Macros

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0100

Syntax Editor Macros in ServiceNow

Script macros provide shortcuts for typing commonly used code. To insert macro text into a script field, enter the macro keyword followed by the Tab ¹

Secret ServiceNow Macro

There is a hidden macro in ServiceNow’s script editor called “help”, which fetches a list of available Script Macros from the “syntax_editor_macro” table and displays their name and comment in the script editor, allowing users to quickly reference and use the out-of-the-box macros.

Posts on Bitlager Blog

Umbrel on Proxmox: Bitcoin Node Data on External SSD

Requirements

Proxmox Setup

Energy Storage Comparison: Hoymiles MS-A2 versus Marstek Venus C

Key Specifications: Hoymiles MS-A2 and Marstek Venus C

Bitaxe Gamma: Solo Mining with a Chance of finding 3.125 BTC

AxeCalibur: Off-Grid Solar-Bitcoin-Mining – Guide & Parts for Europe

Buy Bitcoin or Mine It? A Plebday Experiment

Mikrotik Back to Home Wireguard Setup

Requirements

VPN Mikrotik WireGuard Roadwarrior Setup Android

WireGuard VPN Setup on the MikroTik Router

a) Quick & Easy (without own domain)

UPDATE: Best travel (credit) card(s) in 2023 - Barclays versus Wise

UPDATE (2024): Barclays has updated its price list with effect from 07.12.2023 and the conditions mentioned here in the article no longer match.

A travel (credit) card comparison - is there only one sitting on the throne?

UPDATE Reduce Energy Usage: How to Automatically Turn Off Your MikroTik Router's Wi-Fi Interfaces at Night

Disable Wi-Fi Over Night to Save Energy

UPDATE ServiceNow: Complete List of Syntax Editor Macros

Syntax Editor Macros in ServiceNow

Secret ServiceNow Macro

Examples for Hugo Gallery Shortcode

Gallery with 3 images

First gallery

Second gallery

Stacked gallery

Posts on Bitlager Blog

Umbrel on Proxmox: Bitcoin Node Data on External SSD

Requirements

Proxmox Setup

Energy Storage Comparison: Hoymiles MS-A2 versus Marstek Venus C

Key Specifications: Hoymiles MS-A2 and Marstek Venus C

Bitaxe Gamma: Solo Mining with a Chance of finding 3.125 BTC

AxeCalibur: Off-Grid Solar-Bitcoin-Mining – Guide & Parts for Europe

Buy Bitcoin or Mine It? A Plebday Experiment

Mikrotik Back to Home Wireguard Setup

Requirements

VPN Mikrotik WireGuard Roadwarrior Setup Android

WireGuard VPN Setup on the MikroTik Router

a) Quick & Easy (without own domain)

UPDATE: Best travel (credit) card(s) in 2023 - Barclays versus Wise

UPDATE (2024): Barclays has updated its price list with effect from 07.12.2023 and the conditions mentioned here in the article no longer match.

A travel (credit) card comparison - is there only one sitting on the throne?

*UPDATE* Reduce Energy Usage: How to Automatically Turn Off Your MikroTik Router's Wi-Fi Interfaces at Night

Disable Wi-Fi Over Night to Save Energy

*UPDATE* ServiceNow: Complete List of Syntax Editor Macros

Syntax Editor Macros in ServiceNow

Secret ServiceNow Macro

Examples for Hugo Gallery Shortcode

Gallery with 3 images

First gallery

Second gallery

Stacked gallery

UPDATE Reduce Energy Usage: How to Automatically Turn Off Your MikroTik Router's Wi-Fi Interfaces at Night

UPDATE ServiceNow: Complete List of Syntax Editor Macros