-
@ ▄︻デʟɨɮʀɛȶɛֆƈɦ-ֆʏֆȶɛʍֆ══━一,
2025-04-26 04:24:13A Secure, Compact, and Cost-Effective Offline Key Management System
1. Idea
This idea presents a cryptographic key generation appliance built on the Nookbox G9, a compact 1U mini NAS solution. Designed to be a dedicated air-gapped or offline-first device, this system enables the secure generation and handling of RSA, ECDSA, and Ed25519 key pairs. By leveraging the Nookbox G9's small form factor, NVMe storage, and Linux compatibility, we outline a practical method for individuals and organizations to deploy secure, reproducible, and auditable cryptographic processes without relying on cloud or always-connected environments.
2. Minimization Of Trust
In an era where cryptographic operations underpin everything from Bitcoin transactions to secure messaging, generating keys in a trust-minimized environment is critical. Cloud-based solutions or general-purpose desktops expose key material to increased risk. This project defines a dedicated hardware appliance for cryptographic key generation using Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and a tightly scoped threat model.
3. Hardware Overview: Nookbox G9
| Feature | Specification | |-----------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Form Factor | 1U Mini NAS | | Storage Capacity | Up to 8TB via 4 × 2TB M.2 NVMe SSDs | | PCIe Interface | Each M.2 slot uses PCIe Gen 3x2 | | Networking | Dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet | | Cooling | Passive cooling (requires modification for load) | | Operating System | Windows 11 pre-installed; compatible with Linux |
This hardware is chosen for its compact size, multiple SSD support, and efficient power consumption (~11W idle on Linux). It fits easily into a secure rack cabinet and can run entirely offline.
4. System Configuration
4.1 OS & Software Stack
We recommend wiping Windows and installing:
- OS: Ubuntu 24.10 LTS or Debian 12
- Key Tools:
gnupg(for GPG, RSA, and ECC)ageorrage(for modern encryption)openssl(general-purpose cryptographic tool)ssh-keygen(for Ed25519 or RSA SSH keys)vault(optional: HashiCorp Vault for managing key secrets)pwgen/diceware(for secure passphrase generation)
4.2 Storage Layout
- Drive 1 (System): Ubuntu 24.10 with encrypted LUKS partition
- Drive 2 (Key Store): Encrypted Veracrypt volume for keys and secrets
- Drive 3 (Backup): Offline encrypted backup (mirrored or rotated)
- Drive 4 (Logs & Audit): System logs, GPG public keyring, transparency records
5. Security Principles
- Air-Gapping: Device operates disconnected from the internet during key generation.
- FOSS Only: All software used is open-source and auditable.
- No TPM/Closed Firmware Dependencies: BIOS settings disable Intel ME, TPM, and Secure Boot.
- Tamper Evidence: Physical access logs and optional USB kill switch setup.
- Transparency: Generation scripts stored on device, along with SHA256 of all outputs.
6. Workflow: Generating Keypairs
Example: Generating an Ed25519 GPG Key
```bash gpg --full-generate-key
Choose ECC > Curve: Ed25519
Set expiration, user ID, passphrase
```
Backup public and private keys:
bash gpg --armor --export-secret-keys [keyID] > private.asc gpg --armor --export [keyID] > public.asc sha256sum *.asc > hashes.txtStore on encrypted volume and create a printed copy (QR or hex dump) for physical backup.
7. Performance Notes
While limited to PCIe Gen 3x2 (approx. 1.6 GB/s per slot), the speed is more than sufficient for key generation workloads. The bottleneck is not IO-bound but entropy-limited and CPU-bound. In benchmarks:
- RSA 4096 generation: ~2–3 seconds
- Ed25519 generation: <1 second
- ZFS RAID-Z writes (if used): ~250MB/s due to 2.5Gbps NIC ceiling
Thermal throttling may occur under extended loads without cooling mods. A third-party aluminum heatsink resolves this.
8. Use Cases
- Bitcoin Cold Storage (xprv/xpub, seed phrases)
- SSH Key Infrastructure (Ed25519 key signing for orgs)
- PGP Trust Anchor (for a Web of Trust or private PKI)
- Certificate Authority (offline root key handling)
- Digital Notary Service (hash-based time-stamping)
9. Recommendations & Improvements
| Area | Improvement | |-------------|--------------------------------------| | Cooling | Add copper heatsinks + airflow mod | | Power | Use UPS + power filter for stability | | Boot | Use full-disk encryption with Yubikey unlock | | Expansion | Use one SSD for keybase-style append-only logs | | Chassis | Install into a tamper-evident case with RFID tracking |
10. Consider
The Nookbox G9 offers a compact, energy-efficient platform for creating a secure cryptographic key generation appliance. With minor thermal enhancements and a strict FOSS policy, it becomes a reliable workstation for cryptographers, developers, and Bitcoin self-custodians. Its support for multiple encrypted SSDs, air-gapped operation, and Linux flexibility make it a modern alternative to enterprise HSMs—without the cost or vendor lock-in.
A. Key Software Versions
GnuPG 2.4.xOpenSSL 3.xUbuntu 24.10Veracrypt 1.26+
B. System Commands (Setup)
bash sudo apt install gnupg2 openssl age veracrypt sudo cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/nvme1n1C. Resources
The Nookbox G9 epitomizes a compact yet sophisticated energy-efficient computational architecture, meticulously designed to serve as a secure cryptographic key generation appliance. By integrating minor yet impactful thermal enhancements, it ensures optimal performance stability while adhering to a stringent Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) policy, thereby positioning itself as a reliable workstation specifically tailored for cryptographers, software developers, and individuals engaged in Bitcoin self-custody. Its capability to support multiple encrypted Solid State Drives (SSDs) facilitates an augmented data security framework, while the air-gapped operational feature significantly enhances its resilience against potential cyber threats. Furthermore, the inherent flexibility of Linux operating systems not only furnishes an adaptable environment for various cryptographic applications but also serves as a compelling modern alternative to conventional enterprise Hardware Security Modules (HSMs), ultimately bypassing the prohibitive costs and vendor lock-in typically associated with such proprietary solutions.
Further Tools
🔧 Recommended SSDs and Tools (Amazon)
-
Kingston A400 240GB SSD – SATA 3 2.5"
https://a.co/d/41esjYL -
Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD – Gen 3
https://a.co/d/6EMVAN1 -
Crucial P5 Plus 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD
https://a.co/d/hQx50Cq -
WD Blue SN570 1TB NVMe SSD – PCIe Gen 3
https://a.co/d/j2zSDCJ -
Sabrent Rocket Q 2TB NVMe SSD – QLC NAND
https://a.co/d/325Og2K -
Thermalright M.2 SSD Heatsink Kit
https://a.co/d/0IYH3nK -
ORICO M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure – USB 3.2 Gen2
https://a.co/d/aEwQmih
Product Links (Amazon)
-
Thermal Heatsink for M.2 SSDs (Must-have for stress and cooling)
https://a.co/d/43B1F3t -
Nookbox G9 – Mini NAS
https://a.co/d/3dswvGZ -
Alternative 1: Possibly related cooling or SSD gear
https://a.co/d/c0Eodm3 -
Alternative 2: Possibly related NAS accessories or SSDs
https://a.co/d/9gWeqDr
Benchmark Results (Geekbench)
-
GMKtec G9 Geekbench CPU Score #1
https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/11471182 -
GMKtec G9 Geekbench CPU Score #2
https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/11470130 -
GMKtec Geekbench User Profile
https://browser.geekbench.com/user/446940
🛠️ DIY & Fix Resource
- How-Fixit – PC Repair Guides and Tutorials
https://www.how-fixit.com/