little boxes [was: DECtop]

[Dave Cramer]

On 25-Jun-07, at 2:18 PM, John Van Ostrand wrote:

> 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.
>
have a look at www.embeddedarm.com  I use these quite a bit, very  
reliable, runs linux albeit 2.4.x kernel currently
>> 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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