<HTML><BODY style="word-wrap: break-word; -khtml-nbsp-mode: space; -khtml-line-break: after-white-space; "><BR><DIV><DIV>On 25-Jun-07, at 2:18 PM, John Van Ostrand wrote:</DIV><BR class="Apple-interchange-newline"><BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"> On Mon, 2007-06-25 at 13:31 -0400, D. Hugh Redelmeier wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE type="CITE"> <PRE><FONT color="#000000">I'm a sucker for little boxes.</FONT>
</PRE> </BLOCKQUOTE> <PRE>
</PRE> Me too. I have some business cases where I can use appliance like devices. Things like firewalls, Asterisk systems, network monitoring appliances, etc.<BR> <BR> I would love to hear what people are using for devices like that.<BR> <BR></BLOCKQUOTE>have a look at <A href="http://www.embeddedarm.com">www.embeddedarm.com</A> I use these quite a bit, very reliable, runs linux albeit 2.4.x kernel currently<BR><BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"> <BLOCKQUOTE type="CITE"> <PRE><FONT color="#000000">What is missing that I'd like:</FONT>
<FONT color="#000000">- serial port (usb + dongle would do, except for "serial console")</FONT>
<FONT color="#000000">- more ethernet</FONT>
<FONT color="#000000">- HD expansion?</FONT>
</PRE> </BLOCKQUOTE> <BR> My main issue would be more Ethernet, nix the video, go with serial console and add external flash slot. Minimum Ethernet is 2 with options for 4. USB Ethernet would be tough since USB doesn't have good retention and I'd hate to see it fall out when brushed. Flash makes a great place to store configuration so replacing a dead unit is easy. A single PCI slot would also be good. PoE would be great with an optional power brick when needed.<BR> <BR> I'd really like to see three case options: 19" rack mount, wall mount and desk-top boxes. The PICs look great for a desk-top box. I'd want the 19" rack to have all the ports on front and look like a switch or router. The wall mount would essentially be the same as the rackmount.<BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE type="CITE"> <PRE><FONT color="#000000">They probably take more power than non-x86 little boxes.</FONT>
</PRE> </BLOCKQUOTE> <BR> Low enough for PoE would be great, less than a standard PC would be fully expected.<BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE type="CITE"> <PRE><FONT color="#000000">In theory wireless routers are great cheap hackable boxes. Some even</FONT>
<FONT color="#000000">come with USB2.0.</FONT>
</PRE> </BLOCKQUOTE> <BR> But they can't be branded and many look too "consumer".<BR> <BR> Here's *my* dilemma: I want to see this in the sub $300 range, case included.<BR> <BR> The EPIA mini ITX are almost there, we just need a cost effective case. </BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR></BODY></HTML>