[Server-devel] XS procurement recommendations (new hardware - Nosy Komba, Madagascar)

Tue Apr 17 13:42:52 EDT 2012

Good list!.

Of interest there is a FitPC3.
http://www.fit-pc.com/web/introduction-to-fit-pc3/
It has a low power budget and rich I/O  resources.  Perhaps if someone would
contact them and invite them to the party they could close or help others close
the gaps. It has promise.

I especially like the input power specifications
of the FitPC for the OLPC context.

The panda board (ARM) is interesting.  It
lacks a disk port (SATA) although USB
disks work.   The power requirements are
nice and low but require external regulation
(more than the FitPC if I read the specs. correctly.
It lacks a case... some assembly required.
While OK for me I doubt it will fly based on
the email traffic I have seen.

On Tue, Apr 17, 2012 at 6:46 AM, Mitchell Seaton <mseaton at ekindling.org> wrote:
> I might sum up here from recent additions (replies) on this mailing list
> regarding current low-power server options (x86/32bit) for XS:
>
> 1) FitPC2i - Dual Ethernet, fanless, poss heat-issue (heat sink),
>  PhoenixBIOS (no Wake-on-LAN), 12W draw (poss ~5W idle)
> http://www.fit-pc.com/web/fit-pc/fit-pc2i-specifications/
>
> 2) SolidLogic - (VIA C7, 25W draw) current sys in use not available for
> purchase, EU options in links below
> http://www.logicsupply.eu/systems/intel-atom/
> http://www.logicsupply.eu/systems/fanless/
> deployment sites: Jamaica
>
> 3) MSi WindBox - '10 Atom D510, 4GB DDR2 - ~35W, drawback single Ethernet
> NIC (USB WiFi adapter)
> http://fr.msi.com/models/Wind%20Box%20DC500
> deployment sites: Nepal, Haiti, Philippines
>
> 4) EPC-AT270 - Dual Ethernet (Wake on LAN), fanless, drawback '08 model Atom
> N270 (2GB DDR2) -
> http://www.avalue.com.tw/products/EPC-AT270.cfm
> deployment sites: PNG, Oceania?
>
> These solutions generally haven't changed in the last two years, in Q2, 2012
> now these are the current stable options for low-power x86?
>
> If that's the reality, I assume we can make a decision around these options,
> taking site specific considerations into account, and plan for possible
> involvement (replacement) down the line (1-2+ years) with any future server
> development for ARM/plug/etc and what suitable working model
> is devised around it.
>
> Regards,
> Mitch
>
>
> On Sun, Apr 15, 2012 at 11:07 PM, George Hunt <georgejhunt at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> I like the Fitpc2i, which has two ethernet ports.  I recently purchased
>> one and would be happy to do whatever testing makes sense. (haven't yet
>> purchased the sata drive though). I can atest to the 5 watts, idle.  The
>> blurb that came with it says it's capable of 2 watts standby, but we'd need
>> to see if it can do "wake on lan".
>>
>> George
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Apr 15, 2012 at 1:59 PM, Sameer Verma <sverma at sfsu.edu> wrote:
>>>
>>> On Sun, Apr 15, 2012 at 7:48 AM, Mitchell Seaton <mseaton at ekindling.org>
>>> wrote:
>>> > Dear all XS Server devel's,
>>> >
>>> > The OLPC France team is looking to provide a new XS server machine for
>>> > their
>>> > deployment in Nosy Komba. The current XS is not functional due to a
>>> > current
>>> > failed disk (cause to be discovered). Myself, and Adam Holt are
>>> > planning
>>> > work with Xavier (OLPC France), to help support the installation and
>>> > final
>>> > configuration of this new machine during June this year. We thought
>>> > it's
>>> > important to consult the community here ahead of this purchase
>>> > decision.
>>> >
>>> > Firstly, we'd like to seek some clear hardware suggestion(s) for a
>>> > potential
>>> > new XS. Solar/batteries are current powering method at the deployment
>>> > site. XO volume to be currently supported is 160, and should allow room
>>> > for
>>> > additional deployments. I believe, the investment should be positioned
>>> > for
>>> > min. 5yrs lifespan, and to cope in local heat, humidity, salt, dust,
>>> > conditions.
>>> >
>>> > We're aware of some hardware that has been working in the field - I've
>>> > particular noted MSi (WindBox) machine has been working successfully in
>>> > Nepal, Haiti and Philippines (George's donation). This is also a
>>> > follow-up,
>>> > in some ways, on George's previous thread although more for deployment
>>> > than
>>> > testing/dev. We're not looking at any XO-1.5/XO-1.75 for form-factor,
>>> > or ARM
>>> > as a platform (know this will come and be more stable in future
>>> > releases to
>>> > come). Low-power is a priority, this will help conserve more power
>>> > supply
>>> > for XO charging. I assume we are still looking at 32-bit x86 arch and
>>> > potentially preferring Atom processors (unless otherwise advised). Any
>>> > current models in the marketplace for recommendation?
>>> >
>>> > Purchase of requirement machine looks to be possible from France/EU for
>>> > deliver to Madagascar by the deployment/volunteer team (end of May).
>>> > It's crucial to identify the hardware choice relatively soon (during
>>> > next
>>> > month period). The machine will likely be pre-configured by Xavier
>>> > prior to
>>> > deliver.
>>> >
>>> > Look forward to your comments here.
>>> >
>>> > --
>>> > Mitchell Seaton
>>> > eKindling Technology Support
>>> > mseaton at ekindling.org
>>> > www.ekindling.org
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > _______________________________________________
>>> > Server-devel mailing list
>>> > Server-devel at lists.laptop.org
>>> > http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/server-devel
>>> >
>>>
>>> We use a SolidLogic box (OLPCorps box) in Jamaica at both locations.
>>> Its no longer sold (not sure why?) but uses a VIA C7 processor and is
>>> fanless. Draws 25W at the AC end of the power brick (DC 19V). Here's a
>>> list of what they offer.
>>> http://www.logicsupply.com/categories/fanless_systems
>>>
>>> A FitPC2 should work as well. It pulls 15W at the AC end of the power
>>> brick (DC 12V). The only concern I had with a FitPC2 was the heat.
>>> They do sell an after market heat sink that helps. If you wall-mount
>>> the box, you could fashion a chimney on the heatsink to create a
>>> continuous draft of air (hot air rises and will create an air column
>>> that pulls in cool air from the outside) to pull the heat away from
>>> the sink.
>>>
>>> We tested a FitPC2 (See appendix
>>>
>>> http://wiki.laptop.org/images/4/46/Testing_the_OLPC_School_Server_Benjamin_Tran_SFSU.pdf)
>>> and while the tests were aggressive (all 160 XOs will hit the server
>>> in 60 seconds!), the FitPC2 should be ok.
>>>
>>> http://www.fit-pc.com/web/fit-pc/fit-pc2-models/
>>> http://www.fit-pc.com/web/fit-pc/accessories/
>>>
>>> cheers,
>>> Sameer
>>> --
>>> Sameer Verma, Ph.D.
>>> Professor, Information Systems
>>> San Francisco State University
>>> http://verma.sfsu.edu/
>>> http://commons.sfsu.edu/
>>> http://olpcsf.org/
>>> http://olpcjamaica.org.jm/
>>
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Mitchell Seaton
> eKindling Technology Support
> mseaton at ekindling.org
> www.ekindling.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Server-devel mailing list
> Server-devel at lists.laptop.org
> http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/server-devel
>

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