I don't know anything about that particular USB->serial chipset.  Further, I run a Debian release on my plug (because Ubuntu support of the plug is going away at some point in the future) so I don't have direct knowledge of that Ubuntu release.  Sorry.

Personally, I would build the "Prolific PL2303 USB to serial adapter driver" module; but, I'm a software person by profession so building software is ALWAYS my first answer.   Seriously, installing a new or different release will not guarantee that module will be present so, after a bunch of work, you may end up right back in the same place.

From the documentation, the intended usage of the mini-USB port is "debugging".  It is attached to the JTAG port and serial port 0 on the plug.  It cannot be used to plug in random USB devices as it is a dual port USB->serial device, not a USB host port.  Instead, you can plug the mini USB port into a Windows/Mac/Linux host's USB port and, after the FTDI drivers initialize, use it as a serial console or with a JTAG-based debugger.  I used putty on Windows to talk through the mini-USB port (serial) to install and configure software on my plug.

In general, the USB type A port (USB host) can have any USB "thingy" plugged into it.  The only conditions are:
1) The USB host port needs to provide enough power for the "thingy". (putting a powered USB hub between the plug and the "thingy" solved this problem for me)
2) The currently running Linux needs to support the "thingy" with drivers and other software? (your previous question)

I have not attached a USB->serial converter in the USB host port; but, it should work if the above are met.

What version of MySQL did you upgrade from?

Did you follow and read the "please read" link you provided (I assume you did but you never know )?

Did you run mysql_upgrade? (http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.1/en/mysql-upgrade.html)

If you are looking for something more like the OpenRD client, the fit-PC2 Value (wired ethernet, 1.1GHz, 1GB memory, no disk, SD slot, on-board graphics and 6 usb ports) is sold by Amazon for $234 (with free super-saver shipping).  They have them in stock right now.

You can get the OpenRD client from GS for $249 + shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/fit-PC2-Value-Intel-Atom-Fanless/dp/B002BMER7W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259866983&sr=8-3

From what I've read, the only problem with these is the video drivers are not in the latest kernel trees (yet).  This means you are stuck with a little older Linux until they get committed.

The new Fit-PC2i does look pretty sweet with the optional 4 GB of flash and dual Ge ports..

Standard answer #1: It depends.

If the software uses the kernel crypto API to do its thing AND uses algorithms that the hardware supports, the upgrade can be transparent and large.

However, if the software uses a non-accelerated algorithm (something the hardware doesn't help with) or if the software doesn't use the kernel crypto API, it won't get faster without changing something in the software.

For example, the dm-crypt disk encryption software allows you to choose the algorithm to use to en/decrypt your disk.  If you chose/choose an accelerated one, the hardware magically gets used and things speed up.  Otherwise you are out of luck.

It is more like 3-4x, not just 2x.  I didn't run benchmark tests; though, I wish I had now.

EDIT: Here is a link to a thread about a plug with esata enabled.  See the last post (for now) for performance numbers.
http://plugcomputer.org/plugforum/index.php?topic=927.0

Looking at the page I used for comparison (http://www.computingplugs.com/index.php/SheevaPlug_Performance#Update_USB_throughput_on_v2.6.30-rc3_kernel_with_mmc_patch), it appears a later kernel fixed some of the USB slowness.

Write performance, now, appears to be ~2x and read performance appears to be ~2.5x.  This is good news.

Post to the first thread to get him to try 2.5" vs 3.5", if you want those numbers.  If I may ask, why do you think the form factor will influence the performance?  I do realize that the form factor can infuence the raw drive numbers (smaller platter means less distance to seek); but, wouldn't the drive's raw numbers (seek, read, write) actually determine the performance?

TFTP, the protocol, doesn't place many requirements on the OS environment.  Any Linux distribution that includes sockets and memory management will suffice.  That's pretty much ALL OF THEM.   I would suggest choosing the distribution based on something else. (memory/flash footprint size, other SW you want to run, clever iconic logo, etc)

As a "boot image server", the plug just needs access to enough static storage (via Ethernet, USB or SDIO) to hold the images it has to serve.

I used an OpenRD-like platform (same Marvell processor) as a "DHCP/BootP/boot image server" for a group of DSPs in a previous project and it worked out well.  This was "homebrew" server software so I'm useless for off-the-shelf SW recommendations.  Sorry.

fedor,

I'm sorry you are having so many problems.  I'm not trying to minimize your plight; however, my experience with GS was slightly different.

When I sent an E-Mail to GS, I received a reply the next day telling me when they expected to get more stock and that my order would be one of the ones fulfilled from that stock.  I got a tracking number the day they said they would get more stock.  The device arrived at my door the day the shipper said it would.

While I agree that GS' customer service leaves a bit to be desired and their website should have more information about current and delayed stock, they fulfilled my order (eventually) and I'd have no problem ordering from them again.  Maybe I didn't expect much in the way of service and then didn't get excited when I didn't get much. I'm used to getting stuff directly from hardware vendors (processors, memory, flash, PCBs, etc) and it is frequently delayed due to this or that.

From my perspective, I don't see how GS can manufacture and sell this device, in really small quantities, for $100, and make money.  I'm just glad they are trying.  Right now, I don't think GS is ready to compete with Amazon, Dell, Newegg, TigerDirect, etc. in the consumer product delivery/satisfaction realm; but, for your sake, and folks that follow, I hope they try harder.

Another possibility is to wire a switch(button) to one of the unused GPIOs and use an interrupt from there to initiate a shutdown.  Requires HW and SW changes. (I said it was possible, not easy )

Update:  I just reeived an E-Mail that says (in part):

"We just wanted to update you and let you know that your order xxxxxx has shipped via FedEx Ground Service."

Perhaps others will receive theirs as well.

Marvell provides a driver for this already.  It plugs into the Crypto API of the kernel.

Check out this topic on this same forum:

http://plugcomputer.org/plugforum/index.php?topic=197.0

The gcc -mdsp option is only for MIPS processors.

I don't see a gcc option for turning on/off the use of the ARM v5TE DSP instruction set.  I'm guessing you'll have to hand-code some assembler to use those instructions.

Does libjpg use floating point math to do compression?  As Rabeeh said, there is no floating point unit in this processor.

EDIT: Answering my own question.  From the JPEG FAQ:

"Subject: [19] Could an FPU speed up JPEG? How about a DSP chip?

Since JPEG is so compute-intensive, many people suggest that using an FPU chip (a math coprocessor) should speed it up. This is not so. Most production-quality JPEG programs use only integer arithmetic and so they are unaffected by the presence or absence of floating-point hardware. It is possible to save a few math operations by doing the DCT step in floating point. On most PC-class machines, FP operations are enough slower than integer operations that the overall speed is still much worse with FP. Some high-priced workstations and supercomputers have fast enough FP hardware to make an FP DCT method be a win. DSP (digital signal processing) chips are ideally suited for fast repetitive integer arithmetic, so programming a DSP to do JPEG can yield significant speedups. DSPs are available as add-ons for some PCs and workstations; if you have such hardware, look for a JPEG program that can exploit it."

The globalscale web site currently has this banner -

Note:  Orders for this product will be delivered 2-3 weeks from the date of order.

This is the same banner it had when I ordered on Oct 18.  If, at that time, they knew they had a shortage, a different banner would have been helpful.  Just to set realistic expectations.

However, I'm excited to see that they may get a shipment on the 17th.  This may mean mine will ship soon.  I should have my streaming server completely written and debugged by then. 

Thanks for the suggestion and offer! 

I'm in the US so I don't think the radio clock solution will work here, will it?  I think I need a WWVB or GPS solution.  I think, given a choice, I'd like to use a cheap, readily available, GPS (with PPS) as it could be highly accurate.  Also, if I'm successful, this may be an interesting project for people in other locations as well.

Most of this is very new to me so please correct me if my understanding is wrong.

I'm thinking I can use a plug for (among other things) a Network Time Protocol (NTP) stratum-1 server.

To do this, I'll use a Garmin 18 LVC/OEM GPS connected to the second serial port as the stratum-0 device.  "Second serial port?", you ask.  Yes, the one that can be routed out the SDIO pins.  I should be able to hack together a cable from the SDIO port and change the kernel to use two pins as the second serial port (TX/RX) and a GPIO as an input (for the pulse per second (PPS) signal).  Then, I should "only" need to put together a bread board with a MAX3232 (plus capacitors), a USB connector (for 5V power), a connector to the SDIO port cable and a connector to the GPS cable.

The GPS and 5V side of the MAX3232 will be powered by the USB connection (I'll use a powered hub) and the TX/RX/PPS signals will level shift through the MAX part.

Considering my day job is writing SOFTWARE, does anyone see a problem with this logic?

By the way, this is not a new idea.  There are write-ups for doing this on other little linux computers elsewhere on the net.  The key, I think, is a second REAL (not USB) serial port and the PPS signal.

Please don't ask why I want to do this.  I have a wife that will be happy to ask that question.

Have you tried pinging through a hardwired connection instead of through that particular wireless router?

I get <1ms pings through a pair of Gbe switchs and a 10/100 switch.  Maybe the plug doesn't like your router?