Thinking of getting a guruplug but do I need the jtag board?

[gizmonty]

I'm thinking of getting a guruplug to set up a webcam monitor at work (I want more flexibility than a simple IP camera would offer) but have a few questions before I lay down some cash. I hope someone doesn't mind answering them - I'm very new to this (but have a basic knowledge of linux)

Do I need the jtag board? My understanding is that I need it to get into Uboot so I could, say, install a different linux distro. If I was happy to stick with the installed distro would it be unnecessary? If I bork the distro is the jtag board the only way to rescue this situation?

[fragfutter]

Do you need any features of the guruplug, isn't a sheevaplug enough?

[gizmonty]

Good question.

I thought the guruplug was replacing the sheevaplug but your answer suggests not. If I went with the sheevaplug how do you go about changing the linux distro, etc with that?

[hausschuh]

If I went with the sheevaplug how do you go about changing the linux distro, etc with that

The Sheeva has the jTag already onboard. You can access it with the cable included.

[penjuin]

having just bought one (guruplug server plus), it is unstable to say the least (search for gigabit rebooting). The only way to diagnose these problems is to use the jtag/uart board. Maybe wait until the problems clear up before you buy one ? Or just go with the sheeva which has it built in