Post by Jean-Paul SmetsPost by Mark OlliverHi
I agree, I think these devices will come in to their own as
firewall's and wlan access points. As with a few 10/100 network
points ( i think we need a model with 2 network ports and one with 5)
and a pcmcia 2 slot
The idea is that USB2 (480 Mbps of bandwidth) can be used to provide 6
additional LAN and that through internal USB2 connections, it is
possible to create whatever kind of router one wants. This way, it
allows to reduce the cost of the entry model (USB2 is provided by the
chipset) yet make it easy to have multiple versions with a different
number of Ethernet ports. It is just like if USB2 was used as the
internal bus instead of PCI in a regular PC. Since USB2 adapters are
motherboards of 2cm x 1 cm to 5 cm x 9 x cm typically, it is very easy
to put in the same enclosure many interfaces.
This approach is apparently used more and more in the laptop desig,
where some laptop use a USB small device to implement modem for
example.
Post by Mark Olliverthey are very easy to make into little servers. They could also be used
PCMCIA slot is included in the design by default, except if a given Wifi
chpiset can be integrated to the motherboard without risks.
Post by Mark Olliveras thin clients with just the CF Card or small terminal servers with
a small harddrive.
The idea is to use Disk on Module for closed applications (more reliable
than CF, which generates a lot of issues with the current OpenBrick if
the CF is not the "right" one, which is nearly impossible to predict
since most CF cards are produced in batches which change from batch to
bach).
For people not using disk on module, it is possible to use disk on key
(http://www.gctglobal.com/Download/3rd_LED/PalmKey/palmkey.html) which
is more convenient than CF card (no need of card reader) and is about
as cheap. Also, by designing the motherboard so that one USB connector
is "hidden inside", the disk on key can be inserted into the brick,
just like the CF currently is.
Post by Mark OlliverIf configured well and kept in the 1u size they are very cost
effective to use at isp's of other locations as routers and
firewalls.
Yes. Less than 1U is requires (so that we can use OpenChassis
http://www.openbrick.org/7in1u.png)
Please let me know if something is wrong in my answer.
Post by Mark OlliverMark
Post by Bao C. HaHi Jean-Paul,
I think that a complete dependency on USB is not a wise idea
at this point.
For a counter example, let's take a look at the Wi-Fi. To
build a base station or access point, most of us use the
hostap driver, http://hostap.epitest.fi/, which does not
support USB. I think Cardbus is the best option, since
there are multitudes of Wi-Fi options, 200mW for bridging
but normal 30mW for home/business gateway applications.
I think that at a minimum, the OpenBrick NG should have at
least two or more built-in Ethernet connections. It should
also support POE (Power Over Ethernet). Since these guys
are of small factors, they may be introduced in areas where
power may not be available, but there is Ethernet cabling
nearby.
I may have overlooked the Bluetooth. I think Bluetooth
chipset maybe cheap enough to be included on the mainboard.
It may be just a cost of the real estate on the board. It
may also open the telematic market for some of us.
And, please include IDE controller with compactflash socket.
I learned this from working with Cisco. They always have
a flash memory slot in their routers. It is both for
upgradibility, going from 4M to 16M in my 2501 in three
years. It is also dirt-cheap to use CompactFlash as
persistent storages. We are riding on the tail of the
consumer electronic market.
Finally, please include "real" serial ports on the main
board! How do you debug a kernel problem through a
USB-based serial ports? So many of us know our ways around
the 16550 UART that learning new stuff will be too hard a
burden.
Thanks.
Bao
Post by Jean-Paul SmetsHi,
I finished to read and reread most Design proposals on OpenBrick NG
Wiki. I
Post by Jean-Paul Smetsam close to starting the development of OpenBrick NG motherboard.
http://www.openbrick.org/wiki/ng/Design4
I think this design allows to cover the same market as OpenBrick
and eventually access new markets. The casing is undecided for
now. However, the main concept is that all extensions will be USB
based. Multiple custom casing will be developped with USB cables
connecting internally the OpenBrick motherboard to whatever in
USB (a modem, serial, a I/O board, etc.).
If you think this feature set is stupid or irrelevant, please let
me know quickly.
Regards,
JPS.
--
Jean-Paul Smets-Solanes
Nexedi CEO Tel. +33(0)6 62 05 76 14 Fax. +33(0)1 53 01 09 29
About www.nexedi.com
Nexedi is a consulting and development services company helping
small and medium organisations to choose open source / free
software and fulfill their IT application needs. Nexedi is the
founder of the ERP5 project, a Free / Open Source ERP software
based on innovative technologies (www.erp5.org).
About www.storever.com
Storever provides a reliable source for OpenBrick, notebooks and
servers preconfigured with the GNU/Linux operating system
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Bao C. Ha
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Jean-Paul Smets-Solanes
Nexedi CEO Tel. +33(0)6 62 05 76 14 Fax. +33(0)1 53 01 09 29
About www.nexedi.com
Nexedi is a consulting and development services company helping small
and medium organisations to choose open source / free software and
fulfill their IT application needs. Nexedi is the founder of the ERP5
project, a Free / Open Source ERP software based on innovative
technologies (www.erp5.org).
About www.storever.com
Storever provides a reliable source for OpenBrick, notebooks and servers
preconfigured with the GNU/Linux operating system
_______________________________________________
Openbrick mailing list
Openbrick at openbrick.org
http://www.openbrick.org/mailman/listinfo/openbrick