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On Mon, 2007-06-25 at 13:31 -0400, D. Hugh Redelmeier wrote:
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<FONT COLOR="#000000">I'm a sucker for little boxes.</FONT>
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Me too. I have some business cases where I can use appliance like devices. Things like firewalls, Asterisk systems, network monitoring appliances, etc.<BR>
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I would love to hear what people are using for devices like that.<BR>
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<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>
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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>
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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>
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<FONT COLOR="#000000">They probably take more power than non-x86 little boxes.</FONT>
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Low enough for PoE would be great, less than a standard PC would be fully expected.<BR>
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<FONT COLOR="#000000">In theory wireless routers are great cheap hackable boxes. Some even</FONT>
<FONT COLOR="#000000">come with USB2.0.</FONT>
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But they can't be branded and many look too "consumer".<BR>
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Here's *my* dilemma: I want to see this in the sub $300 range, case included.<BR>
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The EPIA mini ITX are almost there, we just need a cost effective case.
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