Pineflake

Infrastructure articles

18 articles

  • Best Self-Hosted Open Source Tools Close-up of Python source code displayed on a computer monitor, representing open-source developer tools

    The best self-hosted open source tools in 2026 by category: Git, automation, files, passwords, monitoring, docs—plus the real tradeoffs.

    Dev Tools · 2026-10-07 · 9 min read

  • Small vs Large Language Models Open laptop with a colorful sunset reflection on a dark surface, representing AI model computing

    Small vs large language models: the real tradeoffs in capability, cost, latency, and privacy—when a small model wins and how to decide.

    AI · 2026-09-19 · 9 min read

  • Local Development With Containers Developer working at a laptop in a bright workspace, representing local container-based development workflows

    Local development with containers: end "works on my machine," set up live-reload workflows with Docker and Compose, and avoid the pitfalls.

    Dev Tools · 2026-09-19 · 9 min read

  • Terraform Infrastructure as Code Developer writing infrastructure code on a laptop, representing Terraform configuration and infrastructure as code workflows

    Terraform infrastructure as code explained: how declarative provisioning works, the plan/apply workflow, state files, modules, and the mistakes to avoid.

    Dev Tools · 2026-09-02 · 9 min read

  • AI Inference Cost Optimization Team collaborating around a laptop in a modern office, representing the engineering decisions behind optimizing AI inference costs

    AI inference cost optimization: the biggest levers—right-sizing the model, cutting tokens, caching, batching, and API vs self-host by volume.

    AI · 2026-09-02 · 9 min read

  • Self-Hosting AI Models Developer working at a laptop in a modern workspace, representing the engineers and infrastructure behind self-hosted AI models

    Self-hosting AI models: why and when to run open models on your own infrastructure, the serving stack, the real costs, and the mistakes to avoid.

    AI · 2026-09-02 · 10 min read

  • Running LLMs Locally Laptop displaying colorful code on a desk, representing local LLM development and running models on personal hardware

    Running LLMs locally: why do it, the tools (Ollama, LM Studio), the hardware and memory that decide what you can run, quantization, and cloud tradeoffs.

    AI · 2026-08-20 · 9 min read

  • Deploying LLMs in Production Modern server racks in a data center, representing the infrastructure required to deploy and operate LLMs in production

    Deploying LLMs in production: managed API vs self-host, right-sizing your model, inference with vLLM, scaling, cost control, and safety.

    AI · 2026-08-20 · 12 min read

  • How Modern Technology Works Abstract dark technology visualization showing layered digital connections and data flow

    How modern technology works, explained from the ground up: bits and chips, software, the internet, security, the cloud, and AI—as layers of abstraction.

    Technology · 2026-07-14 · 15 min read

  • Building a Home Server Close-up macro photograph of a circuit board with glowing blue traces representing server hardware

    Building a home server: what it is, hardware options, choosing an OS, what to self-host, remote access done safely, and the mistakes to avoid.

    Technology · 2026-07-12 · 9 min read

  • NAS Setup Guide for Beginners Stack of hard drives showing the physical storage media used inside a NAS device

    NAS setup guide for beginners: what a NAS is, choosing hardware and drives, RAID explained, a step-by-step setup walkthrough, and why RAID isn't backup.

    Technology · 2026-07-09 · 10 min read

  • How Cloud Storage Works Abstract visualization of cloud storage infrastructure with glowing data nodes and network connections

    How cloud storage works: what happens when you upload a file, object vs block vs file storage, how durability is achieved, storage tiers, and hidden costs.

    Technology · 2026-07-09 · 10 min read

  • Containers vs Virtual Machines Abstract visualization of containerized applications and virtual environments in a modern cloud infrastructure

    Containers vs virtual machines: how each works, a side-by-side of size, speed, and isolation, when to use which, and why they're often used together.

    Dev Tools · 2026-07-06 · 8 min read

  • How SSDs Work Close-up of a solid-state drive (SSD) showing the flash memory chips and circuit board

    How SSDs work: how flash memory stores data, the controller that manages it, why cells wear out, SATA vs NVMe, and how to choose and care for one.

    Technology · 2026-07-06 · 9 min read

  • How Data Centers Work: A Clear Technical Guide Engineer carrying a laptop walks the aisle beside blue-lit server rack rows inside a data center facility

    How data centers work: physical layout, power and cooling, servers and storage, networking, redundancy, and why the cloud depends on them.

    Technology · 2026-07-04 · 9 min read

  • Edge vs Cloud Computing: The Real Differences Earth photographed from space at night, with city lights glowing across continents connected by the dark network between them — a visual metaphor for edge nodes and the cloud

    Edge vs cloud computing: what each is, a side-by-side of latency, bandwidth, and control, when to use which, and why most systems use both together.

    Technology · 2026-07-04 · 8 min read

  • Cloud Computing Explained: A 2026 Guide Dark server racks packed with colorful cables and blinking status lights inside a data center — the physical infrastructure behind cloud computing

    Cloud computing explained: what the cloud really is, IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS, public vs private, how it works under the hood, the tradeoffs, and AI's impact.

    Technology · 2026-07-03 · 11 min read

  • How DNS Works Network server infrastructure representing the internet address system

    How DNS works, explained clearly: the name hierarchy, a step-by-step lookup, record types, caching and TTL, and how DNSSEC and encrypted DNS secure it.

    Technology · 2026-06-02 · 11 min read