Plug computers

[Robert Brockway]

On Tue, 24 Aug 2010, Giles Orr wrote:

> There's even a "Plugbox Linux" distro getting going.

My Sheevaplug runs Debian.  I'd have no interest in a plug computer 
specific distro - a port of an existing distro makes much more sense IMHO.

> Does anyone own one?  What do you use it for?  It appears they have to

Mine has been operating as my home firewall for about a year.  It runs 
multiple VPN links to boxes I have on the 'net and has been working really 
well.

The root filesystem is on an SSD card.  I initially tried to over-write 
the default (slightly broken) Ubuntu installation on the internal flash 
and managed to brick the device.  I used the documented recovery procedure 
to restore factory defaults and then just did the install on an SSD card 
:)

I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to get it working on the internal flash 
but I haven't tackled it again.

I only have two minor complaints:

(1) The SSD card only sits in the slot, it is not locked in so it could be 
knocked out.  In my case that would take away the root filesystem and 
probably cause the box to panic().

(2) The Sheevaplug has the logic on board for two NICs but only one is 
actually built into the device.  I used a USB<->RJ45 connector to turn it 
into a firewall.

> come from the States, and I'm concerned about duties etc. at the
> border.  Experiences there?  The Guruplug with its extra hardware

Yeah I did pay some duty.  It was $12 IIRC.

Cheers,

Rob

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