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Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily)
TG Daily takes a
look at a really small computer. "Marvell announced today a new
type of computer. It's about the size of an AC to DC converting wall outlet
plug, but is really a full SoC with a 1200 MHz CPU, built-in 512 MB Flash,
512 MB DRAM, Gigabit Ethernet and USB 2.0 support. It runs small versions
of Linux, consumes about 5 watts max while allowing remote users
(presumably those authorized by the owner) to access data stored on the
device from remote locations including local intranets or over the
Internet. The $49 device opens up a wide array of extremely low-power,
low-volume, always on applications."
(Log in to post comments)
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 21:24 UTC (Tue) by drag (subscriber, #31333) [Link]
Wow. That is _cool_.
I have a little Mini-ITX server in my cubicle at work that I use for documentation and other small tasks. This thing would be perfect for that.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Nov 27, 2009 19:09 UTC (Fri) by SSzretter (guest, #62198) [Link] I am compiling a comparison of low power, low cost linux devices: http://sites.google.com/site/coolcoder/low-power-low-cost-linux-servers-nas-1
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 21:29 UTC (Tue) by amsix_noc (guest, #38927) [Link] It's important to note that since this is a Linux-based machine capable of running Debian-based distributions, for example, such as Ubuntu, Fedora, etc., it can run any service. Huh? Last time I checked, I still needed alien to get a .deb installed on my Fedora box.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 22:38 UTC (Tue) by mmarsh (subscriber, #17029) [Link]
The reviewer also downgrades it from a 5/5 to 0.1/5 because it's running Linux, which is insufficiently friendly for his taste. Clearly not someone particularly familiar with Linux.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 22:52 UTC (Tue) by endecotp (guest, #36428) [Link]
No, he rates it like for "easy to use factor" because it's "built on a Linux framework with no built-in video support". He also gives it "5 out of 5 for potential usefulness in a wide array of emerging enterprise-level applications".
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 23:06 UTC (Tue) by mmarsh (subscriber, #17029) [Link]
OK, I mis-spoke (or mis-wrote, you know what I mean). Still, the rationale given for the low ease-of-use rating (Is there an overall rating? On first reading it sounded like that was the 0.1.) strikes me as a bit patronizing towards the reader. Running Linux doesn't make something difficult to configure or maintain remotely. That depends entirely on the remote interface.
As for applications, what comes immediately to mind is plugging in a relatively inexpensive USB external hard drive to create a reasonably priced network-attached storage device. The typical difference in price between a NAS and a normal drive is more than enough to offset the cost of the computer, assuming they've preconfigured it with samba.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 1:17 UTC (Wed) by dkite (guest, #4577) [Link]
From what I can glean, the $100 devkit is for one offs, and requires
knowledge of linux from the console to make useful. They sell in quantity to those who would package things up for end users.
It looks like it comes with an ubuntu distribution built in, but any
Derek
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 8:18 UTC (Wed) by nhippi (subscriber, #34640) [Link]
> The reviewer also downgrades it from a 5/5 to 0.1/5 because it's running Linux, which is insufficiently friendly for his taste. Clearly not someone particularly familiar with Linux.
Which reviewer? In the article linked there is no review. That bit of text is in the article is pure speculation based on specs and press release by Marvell. The writer of article is basing his assumption that it must be hard to use without a display - apparently never heard about gazillion linux-based soho appliances (NAS, AP, ADSL..) that work just fine without a display.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 21:52 UTC (Tue) by joey (subscriber, #328) [Link]
This would be a lot more attractive if the computer were designed so as not to block 2+ power sockets. As it is, I think I prefer the modern crop of small narrow wall warts that tend not to block other power sockets, connected via a cable to the actual embedded computer. The other advantage of course being that the wall wart is easily replaced if it fails.
On the other hand, $50 for a linux capable machine with 512 mb flash memory and ram, is tempting.
Is the Shiva SOC an ARM cpu? Their docs don't make it immediatly clear.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 22:52 UTC (Tue) by yann.morin.1998 (✭ supporter ✭, #54333) [Link]
> Is the Shiva SOC an ARM cpu?
This is an ARMv5TE, yes:
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 22:55 UTC (Tue) by jspaleta (subscriber, #50639) [Link]
http://www.marvell.com/technologies/cpu_history/cpu_histo...
"2008
Marvell proudly launched Sheeva, an internally developed CPU technology. The first implementation of Sheeva set a new standard for embedded CPU performance. One of the most advanced CPUs in the world, the superscalar, dual issue, out-of-order execution Sheeva CPU runs at over 1 GHz. It contains advanced three-level branch prediction, a variable stage pipeline, and an integrated memory controller, providing unmatched high-end performance and low-power requirements. Compliant with the Cortex A8, Sheeva also supports both the ARMv6 and ARMv7 instruction sets, making it the world's first dual ARM ISA compatible CPU."
I'm not sure what its actually running. I'm not sure debian-arm supports this chip yet or not. It looks like the development kit that you can purchase involves a set of kernel patches according to the available downloadable documentation.
http://www.marvell.com/products/embedded_processors/devel...
-jef
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 23:14 UTC (Tue) by dlang (✭ supporter ✭, #313) [Link]
ell, that isn't the processor used in this system, this system uses a single-issue cpu (I don't know the details of it, but your specs are not them)
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 23:31 UTC (Tue) by jspaleta (subscriber, #50639) [Link]
Hmm... how many "sheeva" cpus does marvell have? Luckily I provided a reference links back to marvell so that sharp-eyed readers like you can go back and and find correct information when I dare to make a mistake.
http://www.marvell.com/products/embedded_processors/kirkw...
Here's the brief for the cpu itself:
Here's the brief for the Plug formfactor with which uses the forementioned "Sheeva" CPU
http://www.marvell.com/files/products/embedded_processors...
-jef
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 7:58 UTC (Wed) by tbm (subscriber, #7049) [Link] This device uses a chip from the Marvell Kirkwood family. We support the older Marvell Orion platform in Debian (which is used in a large number of personal storage devices on the market today), and I'm planning to add support for Kirkwood too now that devices with this chip are becoming available, including this device.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 21:17 UTC (Wed) by jspaleta (subscriber, #50639) [Link]
The ARM based cpus are really coming to the forefront in a big way it seems. Much more buzz around ARM than I've ever seen before. Debian's long history of deep architecture support for ARM is paying dividends now.
It's good to hear plans are in place to get the kirkwood cpus support in Debian's arm port and continue the investment into Debian project.
The plug computer formfactor is fascinating to think about. Though I'm not sure the most interesting uses are going to be found in the capabilities of this first rev of the sheevaplug. I think a collection of these things operating using some sort of wifi or even bluetooth piconet technology are going to end up spawning some killer applications that traditional setup boxes cant do. And of course...figuring out a way to get the device to integrate pass through wall plugs so they don't eat up wall adapter slots needlessly. But that's the sort of design feature that will evolve based on market feedback.
Getting these things out into the hands of hobbiests to hack on at a reasonable price point is key. What they really need is sort of a hobbiest corner. A wiki or something where hobbiest can talk about their cool uses of this thing.
-jef
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 0:56 UTC (Wed) by dkite (guest, #4577) [Link]
The plug gizmo pops off and a cord can be attached. I assume such cords
are available. It works on 120v or 220v.
Derek (reading through the documentation)
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 5:14 UTC (Wed) by joey (subscriber, #328) [Link]
Obviously you can put it on an extension cord, but needing to do so doesn't say good things about the design, does it?
Now, if this included a power jack on the front, with a relay that could be controlled via software, it'd be really interesting. It's already in the same price range as similar embedded smarthome power bricks. That would be a dream for home automation.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 10:43 UTC (Wed) by efexis (guest, #26355) [Link]
That would be very good... also if it had mains networking support, like this device http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=46494&do... - that would be very nice... increase the power just by plugging in another one /somewhere/ (on the same circuit obviously). Otherwise it seems a bit silly having it plug into the wall if you still have to drag wires to it.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 21:36 UTC (Wed) by dkite (guest, #4577) [Link]
I think you misunderstood. The prongs that plug into a receptacle can be popped off.
Don't quite get why you think that as a misdesign. You could use it as a brick type
POWIFI would be ideal.
Derek
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 26, 2009 20:59 UTC (Thu) by Wol (guest, #4433) [Link]
220 - or 230?
Where do they have 220 as the standard voltage? It's 230 in the European Union nowadays.
(And it's 230V in the UK, which a lot of people still haven't realised - they think it's still 240 :-)
Cheers,
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 26, 2009 21:25 UTC (Thu) by nix (subscriber, #2304) [Link]
Yeah, but the 'harmonization' from 220V/240V to 230V was done by *changing
the error bars*: the actual voltage delivered in the UK and, say, France still may differ (and .fr tends to be lower than .uk, although there is overlap).
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 22:00 UTC (Tue) by atai (subscriber, #10977) [Link]
Imagine in the future, when you buy a house, you receive a copy of the GPL from the builder and source code to the light switch...
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 22:35 UTC (Tue) by yann.morin.1998 (✭ supporter ✭, #54333) [Link]
I already got the house draught when I bought mine.
Not sure I'll ever build it up again, anyway! :-)
rebuilding the house Posted Feb 25, 2009 1:20 UTC (Wed) by xoddam (subscriber, #2322) [Link]
> Not sure I'll ever build it up again, anyway!
If you ever need to, try
./configure && make && sudo make install
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 14:39 UTC (Wed) by shieldsd (subscriber, #20198) [Link]
While working on open-source matters at a large corporation I once participated in a discussion about a demonstration project that involved installing a Linux-based device with wireless connectivity on carts in a supermarket. One of the issues raised was how to provide proper notice to respect the terms of GPL v2.
"Free as in beer on Aisle Nine?"
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 18:31 UTC (Wed) by BrucePerens (subscriber, #2510) [Link] It's not a joke but a real problem. Of course, you don't have to respect the GPL if you're just pushing the cart, that's only use. But if you distribute the cart, there's a real problem. In general, you don't have to worry about cart theft, that's not legitimate distribution. But in a legitimate sale, even to a junker, the GPL has to be respected. The best solution is for the manufacturer of the part containing the GPL code to covenant to fulfill the GPL obligation for all potential downstream distributors of the unmodified binary.Yes, I have a real customer who needed this. Not for shopping carts. Bruce
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linuxserver (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 22:04 UTC (Tue) by literfizzer (guest, #31274) [Link]
This is fantastic. I've been wanting a small, inexpensive low-power Linux system for non-CPU-intensive always-on tasks like mail serving. This consumes 1/10 the power of my current always-on mail server.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 22:24 UTC (Tue) by yann.morin.1998 (✭ supporter ✭, #54333) [Link]
Just a few thoughts:
1- replace ethernet with PLT and/or WiFi: no cord needed to get connectivity! 2- add a DSL chip alongside PLT: there's often a power outlet next to phone outlets, and that would require only a few inches of RJ-11.
*That* would be a great toy!
Unfortunately, PLT implementations are foten quite big.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 22:27 UTC (Tue) by Wummel (subscriber, #7591) [Link] Hm, the power outlet is not usable in Europe. I wonder when the version for Europe comes out.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 22:52 UTC (Tue) by JoeBuck (subscriber, #2330) [Link] I used to travel to Germany a lot on business, so I have a little adapter (costing less than $5 US) that lets me plug my laptop into a German power outlet. It would presumably work for this device as well.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 24, 2009 22:55 UTC (Tue) by corbet (editor, #1) [Link] Some of us have an entire drawer dedicated to a growing collection of such little adapters; I thought I had them all, then I went to Korea... They generally do the trick, but one must always check the tiny writing on the device to be sure it can handle 220V. Otherwise you let all of the smoke out of the device, and that breaks it.
Incompatible power sources Posted Feb 25, 2009 22:47 UTC (Wed) by man_ls (subscriber, #15091) [Link] The inability to use 220V often means that the vendor wants to segment the market, so that they can sell European versions for outrageous prices. A friend of mine bought a Roomba in the US for half the price of the Spanish version. As bought it could only use 120V, but removing a small resistance with a nail clipper it worked perfectly here. Similarly I had to buy a converter for my US-bought Waterpik, which costs 5 times as much here ($50 vs 150).However, laptops and most other appliances use pulse power supplies which work at both voltages. What a pity.
Incompatible power sources Posted Feb 26, 2009 0:52 UTC (Thu) by dkite (guest, #4577) [Link]
The specs say 120v or 220v.
Derek
Incompatible power sources Posted Feb 26, 2009 21:07 UTC (Thu) by Wol (guest, #4433) [Link]
As I said above, note that the EU voltage is twoTHIRty.
I think officially it is 230+15-25, the idea being that any device made to European standards would work on the (old) UK grid at 240, AND at those grids that were on 210, and all the others inbetween.
That was set many years ago, and I think all countries went to a 230 supply some ten or fifteen years ago.
Cheers,
Incompatible power sources Posted Feb 26, 2009 21:23 UTC (Thu) by man_ls (subscriber, #15091) [Link] True, sorry for the atavism.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 19:06 UTC (Wed) by ianburrell (subscriber, #47313) [Link]
I don't know why they don't just have an IEC connector on it like desktop PCs. Then anyone can use a cable from the local power plug to the standard connector. They could even provide an adapter with power prongs on one side and the IEC plug on the other.
(OT) USB WiFi w/ AP driver? Posted Feb 24, 2009 23:18 UTC (Tue) by fghorow (subscriber, #5229) [Link]
*If* one could find a decent USB wifi w/AP mode, this would make a kick-ass firewall/router box. A 1.2 GHz ARM chip w/512 MB RAM as well as flash, vs. the 2-300 MHz cpus, 32 MB RAM, and 8 MB flash found in the typical linux AP/Router market?
Being able to upgrade with apt vs. the (so dangerous it's been disabled) ipkg upgrade paths of the OpenWRT-like distros of the world would be a huge win!
I want one! ;-)
(OT) USB WiFi w/ AP driver? Posted Feb 25, 2009 1:06 UTC (Wed) by dkite (guest, #4577) [Link]
In the developers kit, it gives instructions on upgrading.
apt-get update
It gets updates from http://ports.ubuntu.com jaunty
Presumably you could apt-get install asterisk.
This is very interesting. I'm running asterisk on an old 233 mhz laptop
Derek
5 watts max? Unlikely. Posted Feb 25, 2009 0:30 UTC (Wed) by klossner (subscriber, #30046) [Link] I call shenanigans on the "5 watts max" claim. You need a watt to keep a GigE connection up and 2.5 watts to run a USB host port. A 90% efficient power supply would eat another 0.5 watts. That leaves one watt to run all the digital circuitry. Color me skeptical.There's a more technical article on linuxdevices.com.
5 watts max? Unlikely. Posted Feb 25, 2009 11:25 UTC (Wed) by endecotp (guest, #36428) [Link]
Where do you get those numbers from? 2.5 W per USB host port sounds particularly excessive; the NXP ISP1563 chip I have in front of me claims 135 mA at 3v3 (0.45 W) for FOUR USB host ports. I would expect a more integrated controller to use even less.
5 watts max? Unlikely. Posted Feb 25, 2009 12:03 UTC (Wed) by tialaramex (subscriber, #21167) [Link]
klossner is assuming that you run the port at its specified maximum load. The USB spec says a device may draw 2.5W therefore, the "maximum power" of a device which a USB port is automatically at least 2.5W for just that port. The USB phy itself may (and should) use far less than that when no power is demanded by the connected device.
5 watts max? Unlikely. Posted Feb 25, 2009 18:41 UTC (Wed) by endecotp (guest, #36428) [Link]
OK, I understand. But I wouldn't count the power that the USB port supplies to the attached peripheral as part of this device's power consumption. Would you?
5 watts max? Unlikely. Posted Feb 25, 2009 19:40 UTC (Wed) by drag (subscriber, #31333) [Link]
Maybe. If your talking 'MAX' then ya it would come into account.
But really this is just splitting hairs. The thing to remember about this is that this thing runs generally on less electricity then is lost to heat waste in the power supply of your PC*.
* PC power supplies have a rough efficiency rating at their rated capacity. The more powerful the supply the more is going to waste (everything else being equal) that is you'll waste much more electricity running a 750 watt power supply then if you run a 350 watt power supply if your PC is only going to max out at 200 watts, which would be fairly typical for a desktop PC.
So if your running a 200 watt system and your power supply is about 82% efficient, then your probably wasting about 30-50 watts just for the sake of the power conversion...
5 watts max? Unlikely. Posted Feb 25, 2009 12:01 UTC (Wed) by tialaramex (subscriber, #21167) [Link]
Well, just because you have a GigE port doesn't mean you need to run it at 1000 MBit/s. You can choose to run at 100baseT (10baseT isn't cheaper because it was designed back in the dark ages) and save power. You can also (though I guess this cheap device doesn't) look at 802.3 series work on power saving, dropping the clock when there's no data to transmit from either end of a link and thus saving perhaps 50+% of power in light use in exchange for slightly more latency .
You probably don't need 2.5W to run a USB port either if you don't promise 2.5W. You can reject devices above 100mA (500mW), and tell the user to buy a powered hub if they want more. IIRC This is technically out-of-spec, but there are devices which do it, and they seem to work.
So perhaps "max 5W" (if that's what someone wrote) isn't true for all conceivable applications, but it could easily be in productive use at 5W which is pretty good.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 4:09 UTC (Wed) by xxiao (subscriber, #9631) [Link]
what's the difference between this and beagle board from TI?
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 8:23 UTC (Wed) by MKesper (guest, #38539) [Link]
This device has got no video/audio connectors, no HD video DSP but far more RAM.
Compare http://beagleboard.org/hardware to https://www.globalscaletechnologies.com/t-sheevaplugdetai...
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 8:30 UTC (Wed) by Gollum (subscriber, #25237) [Link]
There are so many possibilities for this device. I just wish it had more USB ports built in.
For example, make a (multi-function) print server out of it. I have a multi-function printer that only has a USB connection. My wife also wants to be able to use it periodically. Install CUPS and SANE (and maybe Samba), plug the printer into this little job, and you're golden. If it is not near an Ethernet port, add a WiFi dongle.
I could see adding a USB ADSL modem to this, and eliminating my current router.
Obviously, all these additional peripherals would add to the consumption, but it would still be lower than many other combinations that achieve the same functionality.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 12:48 UTC (Wed) by tzafrir (subscriber, #11501) [Link]
Just add a USB hub.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 12:54 UTC (Wed) by Gollum (subscriber, #25237) [Link]
Yes, of course, that is easy enough. But then it means additional bits hanging around, which rather defeats the purpose of having a small device to start with.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 14:03 UTC (Wed) by clugstj (subscriber, #4020) [Link]
No, it doesn't defeat the purpose, it just lowers the "coolness" factor. It is small enough to hide most anywhere, with or without an added powered USB hub.
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 17:00 UTC (Wed) by drag (subscriber, #31333) [Link]
Yes.
What I do on my home desk for the numerous little USB devices is that I use double sided tape to stick the hubs to the underside of my desk. One hub is populated completely, but the other has 2 ports exposed out from underneath the monitor (the monitor has it's own separate ledge that moves up and down). Then I have a few of those sticky tabs that you can run zip ties through and use those for cable management so that cables that are going to be more or less permanent don't dangle and get tangled up. (power cables, speaker cables, cable for my lamp.) Then the power strip is sticky taped to the interior side of my desk's support so that it's off the ground and out of the way.
So what you end up with is a 3 cables I attach to my laptop.. the VGA, a USB, and then the power. And that is all that is exposed. No rats nest, no getting my feet tangled up, no tangle of cables across my desk. :)
----------------------
Cable management is a creative art sometimes. If you do a good job then nobody will see anything, the cables are safely tucked away, nothing gets tangled up, and you have plenty of cable slack for moving things around.
----------------------
So for example this little 'wall wart' computer. I don't think I would directly attach it to a wall, especially if I want to have a USB hub.
Probably what I would do is go to the store and buy one of those cheap power cables that you use for lamps and such... Just a basic white or brown two-wire cable that has a small plastic block on the end that has 3 power plugs.. one on one side and two on the other.
So I would attach the computer to the single plug on one side of the extension cable. On top of that I'd probably find some sort of small block and sticky tape it to that. Then I would sticky tape a small 4-port hub on top of that so that the items you plug into it will be held over the computer. This way you make a nice compact shape, but with some small space to work with for those bulkier USB accessories.
Then I'd run a very short USB cable, possibly a custom cable that I hacked up and soldered back together, from the hub to the computer.
Then I'd plug in the power block from the USB hub to the other side of the extension cord. Maybe hack up that cable also to make it short. Either that or use zip ties to gather up the slack.
So then I have a powered 4-port hub I can attach storage to, wifi, extra USB ethernet port, USB audio, etc etc. And still have a extra power port left open for power for a external harddrive or something like that.
Then that thing could be stuck anywhere. Maybe hang it from the a ceiling and put a lamp shade over it or something else equally amusing.
Or instead of using a extension cord I could use a power strip that I can permanently attach to the wall, in a closet, behind my desk, or something like that.
--------------------------
One of the cool thing about these miniature hackable Linux devices is that you can be a total computer guy without having the total computer guy mess of electronics.
For a home network you could essentially stick your entire network room into something about the size of a shoe box. Modem, wifi, storage, etc.
Then you can brag to your Windows-using friends about the uptime of your shoebox. (who are all running noisy and massive PC-based servers to handle the bulk of Windows Server)
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 17:05 UTC (Wed) by drag (subscriber, #31333) [Link]
> Or instead of using a extension cord I could use a power strip that I can permanently attach to the wall, in a closet, behind my desk, or something like that.
Oh. Bonus points if you use something like this:
:)
Marvell's Plug Computer: A tiny, discrete, fully functional 5 watt Linux server (TG Daily) Posted Feb 25, 2009 23:54 UTC (Wed) by kena (subscriber, #2735) [Link]
Fully populate that powerstrip, and you've got a Beowulf cluster!
Damn. I need to get me one of these things. Right now my web site's running on a Toughbook I left on the roof of the car. (CD-ROM and monitor kaput, but the system still runs.) But one of these, with a 64 GB USB drive, and you'd have a fully-functioning system for shy of $250. Install Asterisk on it, and it's a good day all around. (Okay -- hard to get the PCI T1 card in, but hey...) A few VLAN tweaks so the single interface can support "internal" and "external" interfaces, and... well, yeah. DamnCool.
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