[geerlingguy]

It seems like either feeding 5v via custom power supply on GPIO or requiring PoE HATs (though those are slightly less efficient...) would be a better scalable option.

One massive thing that seems to be missing here (unless I've missed it) is any kind of remote ability to manage the server, eg at a minimum remote power cycling, if the Pi locks up. It would also be nice to get remote console but that would require even more effort and potentially slight customization on the Pis' boot config (to enable UART).

[sokoloff]

Agree, a central supply with a 3A MOSFET for control and a PTC for basic protection would give a lot more functionality and reduce customer downtime and smart-hands touches.

[RL_Quine]

At that point what you're describing has little resemblance to a hosted RPI though, the complexity justifies just making something custom that's better suited to the task than shoe horning Raspberry Pi hardware into a rack.

[danachow]

Sorry but that’s bullshit.. they’re describing a basic power switch (even simpler than a PoE hat) which is nothing compared to the design complexity of an MCU board with memory, peripherals and chip level power conversion.

[spicybright]

I can unplug and re-plug in my physical raspi. If I'm renting a remote raspi, I expect the same ability to do so.