Weekly Edition
Return to the Press page
| |||||||||||||
PlatHome OpenBlockS: Made in Japan (ZDNet)
Over at ZDNet, Jason Perlow checks out the Plat'Home OpenBlockS micro-server. The micro-server is a very small, fanless, low-power embedded Linux box that comes with a Debian-derived distribution. "So what is this thing good for? Well, just about anything. If you want to build a specialized solid state mission critical appliance that runs a custom PHP/MySQL application, or want to develop VPN gateways and Asterisk VOIP routers, or just like to hack around with a low-power Linux machine under your desk at work, this is the geek's equivalent of a Linux Heathkit."
(Log in to post comments)
PlatHome OpenBlockS: Made in Japan (ZDNet) Posted Aug 4, 2008 21:45 UTC (Mon) by sholdowa (guest, #34811) [Link] I don't think I'd put a database based mission critical app on CF, or use a journalled file system! Other than that, it looks rather nice, but pricey...
PlatHome OpenBlockS: Made in Japan (ZDNet) Posted Aug 5, 2008 0:10 UTC (Tue) by rasjidw (guest, #15913) [Link] I've still not found anything cheaper than the Microclient JrSX (http://www.norhtec.com/products/mcjrsx/index.html) - not exactly powerful, but at USD$85 it is a very affordable little box that can run off compact flash or a 2.5 inch HDD, is fanless and has low power usage. It is x86 based so it can run your favourite linux distro. It can even run X - just don't expect it to be fast.
Microclient JrSX shipping charges Posted Aug 5, 2008 2:31 UTC (Tue) by jreiser (subscriber, #11027) [Link] Shipping charge for one Microclient JrSX to USA is $52.30.
PlatHome OpenBlockS: Made in Japan (ZDNet) Posted Aug 5, 2008 14:07 UTC (Tue) by Janne (guest, #40891) [Link] "I don't think I'd put a database based mission critical app on CF" Why not? Because flash wears out? Well, in reality that would only become an issue after several years of continuous usage. I have seen longevity of 8-10 years being mentioned. "or use a journalled file system!" The effect of journaling on flash-storage has been greatly exaggarated.
PlatHome OpenBlockS: Made in Japan (ZDNet) Posted Aug 5, 2008 1:00 UTC (Tue) by beoba (guest, #16942) [Link] The basic OpenBlockS266 is a palm-sized, single-core, low power solid-state, fanless AMCC 266Mhz PowerPC-based device with 128MB of RAM, 16MB of Flash ROM, and 1GB of DMA CompactFlash internal storage. When shipped in this configuration, it sells for $499.
PlatHome OpenBlockS: Made in Japan (ZDNet) Posted Aug 5, 2008 2:55 UTC (Tue) by proski (subscriber, #104) [Link] That's not palm size :-)
PlatHome OpenBlockS: Made in Japan (ZDNet) Posted Aug 5, 2008 7:26 UTC (Tue) by tbm (subscriber, #7049) [Link] FWIW, I've been porting Debian to various off-the-shelf NAS devices, like the QNAP Turbo Station (TS-109, TS-209 and TS-409) and the HP mv2120. Depending on your specific requirements, this might be a good alternative.
PlatHome OpenBlockS: Made in Japan (ZDNet) Posted Aug 5, 2008 9:46 UTC (Tue) by MKesper (subscriber, #38539) [Link] Could you maybe provide some comparison regarding performance and power consumption of all the machines you are listing?
PlatHome OpenBlockS: Made in Japan (ZDNet) Posted Aug 5, 2008 10:06 UTC (Tue) by tbm (subscriber, #7049) [Link] The machines I listed all use a 500 MHz Orion (ARM compatible) chip. I don't have any good stats on their power usage.
PlatHome OpenBlockS: Made in Japan (ZDNet) Posted Aug 5, 2008 12:43 UTC (Tue) by MKesper (subscriber, #38539) [Link] sorry I meant to ask: is it possible to somehow compare this machine with the other ones on your site (NSLU2...)?
PlatHome OpenBlockS: Made in Japan (ZDNet) Posted Aug 6, 2008 16:07 UTC (Wed) by tbm (subscriber, #7049) [Link] NSLU2: 133 or 266 MHz IXP4xx CPU, 32 MB RAM, no internal storage but 2x USB, has been end of lifed (EOL) Thecus N2100: 600 MHz IOP32x CPU, up to 512 DDR RAM, 2x internal SATA, problems with cooling, EOL end of 2008 HP mv2120: 500 MHz Orion CPU, 128 MB RAM, 2x SATA QNAP TS-109, TS-209, TS-409: 500 MHz Orion CPU, 128-512 MB RAM (TS-109 and TS-209: 128; TS-109 II/TS-209 II, TS-409: 256; TS-409U: 512 MB), 1, 2 or 4x internal SATA Debian support: The NSLU2 and Thecus N2100 have been supported since etch. The QNAP devices and the HP mv2120 will be supported in the upcoming release of Debian (5.0, lenny) NSLU2: fully supported (since etch) Thecus N2100: almost fully supported (since etch), but slow hard drive speed because of lack of DMA HP mv2120: support integrated in Debian but needs a new release of debian-installer QNAP: daily installer images are working; install lenny
PlatHome OpenBlockS: Made in Japan (ZDNet) Posted Aug 6, 2008 1:19 UTC (Wed) by drag (subscriber, #31333) [Link] KuroBox Pro http://www.revogear.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=KU... 128MB PCIe 2 SATA Ports 400mhz ARM 9 > *** FOR EXPERIENCED LINUX USERS *** > The Kurobox/Pro is the latest Kuro from Buffalo/Revolution. The Pro is an ARM-based Linux computer that has more hardware expandability than you can shake a stick at. From it's 256MB of onboard flash to its PCI Express port, the Kuro's got you covered for your next hacking project. NOTE: ALL KURO/PRO'S SHIPPING NOW FROM REVOGEAR.COM HAVE 110/240V SWITCHING POWER SUPPLIES AND US/JP 2-PRONG ADAPTERS. Plug adapters will be needed for foreign standards. :)
PlatHome OpenBlockS: Made in Japan (ZDNet) Posted Aug 6, 2008 10:40 UTC (Wed) by tbm (subscriber, #7049) [Link] Per Andersson has been working on Debian support for the Kurobox Pro as part of his Google Summer of Code project, so that device will be supported with lenny too.
For those addicted to x86... Posted Aug 5, 2008 11:50 UTC (Tue) by alonz (subscriber, #815) [Link] Another small PC (which also comes with Gentoo and Ubuntu) is the Fit PC. I am using one for my mail server, it's quite cute.
Smorgasborg of linux devices Posted Aug 5, 2008 17:14 UTC (Tue) by leoc (subscriber, #39773) [Link] Linux Devices keeps a nice list of devices that can (and usually do) run Linux, including a lot of stuff that would be in approximately the same class as this micro-server.
PlatHome OpenBlockS: Made in Japan (ZDNet) Posted Aug 8, 2008 19:03 UTC (Fri) by job (guest, #670) [Link] The Soekris boards a lot of people use as cheap routers are almost twice as cheap and comparably powerful. Probably uses a bit more power (~6W compared to 4W). They are well built and have solid Linux/BSD support.
|
|||||||||||||