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K3s, Longhorn, Rancher, Raspberry Pi — platform captures (inbox 2026-04)

Ingest: Web captures from docs.k3s.io, longhorn.io, rancher.com product page, and one homelab narrative (GitHub-style article) for Pi + Longhorn + Rancher operational patterns.

Evidence summary

Field Content
Abstract k3s install/architecture/config captures, Longhorn CSI-on-k3s prerequisites, Rancher product positioning, plus a Pi homelab narrative—operator breadcrumbs for the farm edge platform doctrine.
Authority mix Upstream project docs (k3s, Longhorn) + vendor marketing (Rancher) + community homelab article (supporting).
Decision relevance Bootstrap order, iSCSI/kubelet paths, HA semantics—supports Platform doctrine package — homelab / farm edge and provisioning guide; does not certify your cluster.
Canonical wiki links Platform doctrine package — homelab / farm edge · How to provision k3s, Longhorn, and Rancher on a Raspberry Pi fleet · Kubernetes platform backup / DR

Key claims (public-safe):

  • Longhorn on k3s expects open-iscsi and correct kubelet root alignment—see capture tables in the body.

Open questions / follow-ups

  • Re-capture when k3s/Longhorn minor versions jump for production.

Official / primary operator docs (this batch)

Raw path Role
k3s-architecture-docs-capture... Server vs agent, single-server embedded DB, HA overview, agent LB / node-password behavior
k3s-installation-index-docs-capture... Installation hub; points to Requirements, air-gap, server roles, uninstall
k3s-quick-start-guide-docs-capture... get.k3s.io, tokens, unique hostname / K3S_NODE_NAME, links to HA etcd pages
k3s-configuration-options-docs-capture... INSTALL_K3S_EXEC, env vars, install script persistence
longhorn-csi-on-k3s-docs-capture... open-iscsi / iscsiadm, kubelet root dir / KUBELET_ROOT_DIR for K3s
rancher-k3s-product-page-capture... Rancher + K3s positioning (marketing; not install requirements)

External (not duplicated in raw): K3s installation requirements, HA embedded etcd, HA external datastore.

Community / narrative (secondary)

Raw path Role
raspberry-pi-k3s-longhorn-rancher-homelab-capture... Pi cluster + SSD migration; Longhorn via Rancher Apps; replica count, disable server node for scheduling; not vendor canonical

Synthesis