little boxes [was: DECtop]

[John Van Ostrand]

On Mon, 2007-06-25 at 13:31 -0400, D. Hugh Redelmeier wrote:

> I'm a sucker for little boxes.



Me too. I have some business cases where I can use appliance like
devices. Things like firewalls, Asterisk systems, network monitoring
appliances, etc.

I would love to hear what people are using for devices like that.


> What is missing that I'd like:
> 
> - serial port (usb + dongle would do, except for "serial console")
> 
> - more ethernet
> 
> - HD expansion?


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.

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.


> They probably take more power than non-x86 little boxes.


Low enough for PoE would be great, less than a standard PC would be
fully expected.


> In theory wireless routers are great cheap hackable boxes.  Some even
> come with USB2.0.


But they can't be branded and many look too "consumer".

Here's *my* dilemma: I want to see this in the sub $300 range, case
included.

The EPIA mini ITX are almost there, we just need a cost effective case.
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