little boxes [was: DECtop]

[Lennart Sorensen]

On Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 02:18:39PM -0400, John Van Ostrand wrote:
> 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.
> 
> 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.
 
You would love the router I work on at work I suspect, except the price
tag it costs to make one. :)

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

How much power can PoE supply?

> 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.

You probably want it cheap too right? :)

--
Len Sorensen
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