Super *Small* Server Project

[Black_V!per]

Instead of Hi-Jacking the EEEPC thread I thought i'd create a new one...

Yes, i've started work on a project, some may remember "Project-13V" some may not... But i like to make mini-mods from time to time... This time its a real Mini, lol...

http://www.logicsupply.com/products/artigo

This motherboard is about the size of a deck of cards... My plans are to add 1GB of RAM and a 250GB laptop Hard Drive, and use it as my Media Server... I'll place it right on top of my Wireless Switch with a hard cable, and using remote desktop i can add all the media I want to it, without causing any Monitor issues...

When money comes around again i'll buy myself a new HD LCD TV and mount this directly to the back, and make my own DVI-HDMI Cable... I've got a lot of plans for this, but im going to go slow with it, its a cute lil PC

[Acreo Aeneas]

Hmm, that box looks sturdier than the other mini-ITX cases I've looked at in the past. The motherboard also looks to have a pretty nice set of features.

I was wondering why a HDD instead of a SSD?

[Black_V!per]

Originally Posted by Acreo Aeneas

Hmm, that box looks sturdier than the other mini-ITX cases I've looked at in the past. The motherboard also looks to have a pretty nice set of features.

I was wondering why a HDD instead of a SSD?

Its a Small Server, and I wanted Storage capacity... Plus Price...



I was tempted to get a SSD, but for a 32GB i was looking at $300+ (From Really Crappy to Not-so Crappy)


P.S.
The PC should be here monday next week... I'll make a lil review of the build.

[Acreo Aeneas]

Hmm, it'll be interesting how that rig holds up over the next few months. If it works out good for you, I might end up doing something like that instead of another big o' box for a home server.

What other parts did you put in the box?

[rich73]

Hmm....will this thing run Home Server?

[draeh]

I'm tempted to put one through its paces for work. We're always on the lookout for something that can be mounted in the panel tat has greater computing power than most embedded devices. The price sure is right thats for sure.

[ScratchMonkey]

Originally Posted by rich73

Hmm....will this thing run Home Server?

One could also get a Linksys NSLU2 and plug some USB drives into it.

That little box might make a good replacement for my aging RAID monster, currently running Fedora Core 2. I'd run CentOS 5 on the new box. C5 runs fine on my ancient P3 system with 256 MB memory and a 500 GB IDE disk. (I created that to back up my RAID monster with rsync.)

[Black_V!per]

The onboard C7 processor, from what i've read, is faster than a Pentium M at 2.0Ghz and draws only 12w. I purchased (Through newegg) a WD 250GB 2.5" IDE hard drive and a Geil 667 DDR2 SO-DIMM... With that kit above the rest of the required hard ware should be included...

I will be using an old USB WiFi adapter and hack that into the inside of the case, along with a chopped up USB Hub and Bluetooth adapter...Im sure i can fit those components into the case with a little modification. I may even cut some wholes and put plexy-glass with some LED lights... But thats in due time, for now i'll host Windows XP Pro w/ Media Center Software.

I'll post pics and update from time to time with the progress of this lil bugger.

Project Sł is born.

[Wimpinator]

This reminds me of a project I saw a while back. This guy built a server into a UPS.

My file server at home is built inside an old 5/14" drive chassis based around a PC104 SBC. I put a serial LCD on the front and used it to read RSS feeds. It was a fun project. Your little machine just begs to have a 4 line LCD that shows free drive space.
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/cat...s.php?cPath=76

Definitely keep this thread updated. I love these projects. We need pictures as well

[Acreo Aeneas]

Originally Posted by Wimpinator

Your little machine just begs to have a 4 line LCD that shows free drive space.
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/cat...s.php?cPath=76

Gosh, I remember seeing those things back when and I always thought it'd be nice to see it in color instead of monochrome.


We definitely need to see pictures. We will admire and adore you (your server more likely ) if you shared those pretty baby pictures of it.

[ScratchMonkey]

How about displaying a treemap, such as WinDirStat does?

http://windirstat.sourceforge.net/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treemap

[Black_V!per]

I just now got tracking numbers for the parts... Dont worry, i'll put pics up once i get it in.


I was thinking about adding GPS with it also, so that I can hook it up to my Trucks stereo and mod a screen somewhere on my dash... THA'D be SWEeeeEeet.

[Acreo Aeneas]

Bling, bling for your car dashboard.

[Black_V!per]

Originally Posted by Acreo Aeneas

Bling, bling for your car dashboard.

Here's a Minor list of my future Project Log:

I'll be modding in a 4 port Switch (5, but one's removed for my mini server, so it'll be easily networkable)
I'll add a 4 port USB Hub internal, 1 Wifi A/B/G, 1 Bluetooth 2.0, 1 GPS, 1 32GB Solidstate (OS installed/Apps)
I'll interface an OBDII with a USB interface for my truck, which will allow me to monitor my truck info.
I'll hook up via an external audio device (Xfi?) to my trucks speaker sys (Alpine deck/Speakers+Subs/400w AMP) *Its an 08' Ranger, too small for anything larger*
I'll skim through eBay for a tiny LCD screen, appx 5" and VGA/DVI comp... I may even go with a USB Touch screen, to remove the hastle of a keyboard/mouse in the truck.

What happened to the server you ask? Well, since this thing will be highly mobile, i'll be able to detach it from my truck (Under driver seat most likely) and bring it into my house, and use it as my switch/internet connection (Hence the switch mod, it'll auto be connected to my LAN).

I had some other idea's, but i'll save those for when i figure out how much all this is going to cost me :\


PS RAM and Hard Drive came in, im currently copying all my music onto my Hard Drive, once the 32GB USB thumbdrive (Solidstate Knock-off) comes in i'll install a bootable OS on it (Probably XP Pro w/ SP3!)

Still nothing on the KIT though Its somewhere in ohio?

[Acreo Aeneas]

Hmm...that's some nice bling bling.

Any extra security measures to ensure that this stuff doesn't get stolen from your truck when you're not in it (especially the server box)?