mini-itx: green and affordable plugpc alternative?? a home server for 120$

[Dammuozz]

considering I went mad trying to fix my bricked sheeva and I was considering to buy an another one....maybe with sata


then surfing the net I came across this:

mini-itx intel atom motherboard with fanless CPU all-in-one, I'm interested especially in this two models, intel atom D425 and D510,
the single core 1,8 vs dual core 1,66 edition. Considering I want to build a "sheevaplug-like" home server for web services, torrent and file sharing over network, ssh, etc... I'll choose the single core, which is 15€ cheaper.

cpu's comparsion:
http://ark.intel.com/Compare.aspx?ids=49489,43098,

tom's hardware rewiev:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/d510mo-intel-atom,2616-3.html

interesting tom'shw forum thread:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/264343-28-intel-atom-based-server-experiences

prices on newegg.com:
http://www.newegg.com/Store/BrandSubCategory.aspx?Brand=1157&SubCategory=446&name=Intel-Motherboard-CPU-VGA-Combo

prices on HRW.it where I think I'll boy it...(this page is in italian, sorry):
http://www.hrw.it/componenti-e-networking/asus-at4nm10-i-mini-itx-processore-intel-atom-d425-uw-0-1652-249416.aspx

69€ mobo & cpu +
19€ 1gb ddr2 800mhz ram +
cheap power supply I already own=
-------------------------------------------
88€ for a 1.8 ghz 64bit fanless cpu system that draws around 25w of power

I think that's an incredible alternative to a sheeva or a plug....

for non EU readers that's 88 € = 119.6448 US$

let me hear what YOU think about!! is mine a good or bad idea? help me making up my mind!!

dammuozz

[.Will]

As I see it, the main advantage of a plug is its size and power consumption. You can certainly build your own system, maybe even for cheaper, but the size as well as wattage are what matters to most people.

[Dammuozz]

As I see it, the main advantage of a plug is its size and power consumption. You can certainly build your own system, maybe even for cheaper, but the size as well as wattage are what matters to most people.

I agree with you, in fact i am an sheevaplug user ( or I was and now I'msheevabrick user, but however )
I am not saying in any way that this system is better or worst than a guruplug server...
no intentions to make it a challenge between plug's and mini-itx


what I meant is that if someone can give me some tips about choosing a sheevaplug or a guruplug or the configuration posted above
considering tasks I mentioned, and I think that are the popular tasks we need on an home-server...

I may say that for my specific case, being a student with very little incomes, the most important matter for me is the cost of the system, then comes the power efficency and quietness.

I have no problem about space and CPU power must be enough to run those service i mentioned.

dammuozz

[radael]

I think the Gurus only use about 10 - 15 W of power, but have over-heating problems.  So, a fanless 25 W machine sounds like it also might run a little too hot.

[.Will]

I think the Gurus only use about 10 - 15 W of power, but have over-heating problems.  So, a fanless 25 W machine sounds like it also might run a little too hot.

Now that it's winter, would it be a smart idea to place a plug or a little computer (nettop?) close to an open window, where it's nearly 35 F right now? I understand it's not good when it's raining, but when humidity is near 0%, is it okay?

[velo_love]

Hi,
I shifted my guruplug server+ installation two days ago into a dockstar freegate agent. The guruplug now only keep a backup hard disk managed (crontab).
The Dockstar manages a usb serial card (it drives my shutters), a usb teleinfo card (french stuff to look at data sent by my electrical provider) and a usb hard disk to share file (all these usb items are connected to a powered usb hub).
So far, it works well without being too hot 

[Dammuozz]

I think the Gurus only use about 10 - 15 W of power, but have over-heating problems.  So, a fanless 25 W machine sounds like it also might run a little too hot.

i don't think asus will produce a mainboard with overheating problems...
however plugs are much less energy hungry that mini-itx, and less powerfull, but when my sheevaplug was running I never had to complain about its performances...

@radael: it can work but I think everyone needs a system that works 356 day a year... :/

@velo_love: interesting! can you give me more details? how much does cost dockstar? did you have to flash ubuntu on it or what??
p.s.:

... The Dockstar manages a usb serial card (it drives my shutters) ...

how cool is that!!??!!!

thank you all,
dammuozz

[velo_love]

Hi Dammuozz,

@velo_love: interesting! can you give me more details? how much does cost dockstar? did you have to flash ubuntu on it or what??
p.s.:

... The Dockstar manages a usb serial card (it drives my shutters) ...

how cool is that!!??!!!

thank you all,
dammuozz

My Dockstar was a Christmas gift from my wife but current price is around 39 euros in France (lowered prices period).

I have installed the Debian Squeeze distro following Jeff Doozan's recommendations (http://jeff.doozan.com/debian/). It is really straightforward.

As said, I let my Guruplug server + with a eSATA disk. This will be my backup system.

The Dockstar is connected to a USB (externally powered) hub which receives:
- a USB disk. At now, I backup my desktop PC and laptop through manual rsync but I will make this stuff automatic on user logout. This USB disk makes a rsync each night with the eSATA disk through a cron job.
- a usb serial relay card. The relays are connected to 2 remote controls which manage my 9 shutters (1 control for 5 shutters and the other one for 4 shutters and an all-sequence). I have developped a small c++ (personal pleasure  client / server application to set / reset the controls. The server runs as a daemon on the Dockstar. The client may be called from all my computers. It is also called by the Dockstar through cron jobs so shutters automatically open / close (I have scheduled to enhance the system by programming time according to sunrise and sunset). All details are available here (in French, sorry, but there are nice pictures  http://www.touteladomotique.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3697
- a usb / serial card to get "téléinfo" that is data about my electrical consumption (power, amperage, unloading...). This card is linked to my electric meter. Currently, data are saved in a file because I don't have time to setup my mySQL database. More details, also in French, here : http://vesta.homelinux.net/wiki/demodulateur_teleinformation_edf.html

Currently missing : the meteo hub. I don't know if I buy a meteo station that may be connected to the Dockstar or if I buy RFXCOM receveir and some radio thermometers. Take any advice 

Regards,

-- Velo Love

[Dammuozz]

thank you so much for sharing!!!! I'll try to find one at a resonable price here in italy!!

dammuozz

[velo_love]

Hi,
The true name is: Dockstar Free Agent.
It is available here for example:
http://www.fnac.com/Seagate-FreeAgent-DockStar-USB-2-0/a2776823/w-4

Best regards,

-- Velo Love