[Server-devel] Fwd: [UKids] Alternative School Server hardware

[Adam Holt]

From: Jon Nettleton <jon.nettleton at gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 1:46 AM
Subject: [UKids] Alternative School Server hardware
To: unleashkids at googlegroups.com

Just prior to the OLPC XO Tablet shakeup I was trying to work out a
partnership with the guys that build the Cubox
http://www.solid-run.com/cubox. My thoughts were that it would be a great
non-XO schoolserver machine that is easy to purchase as single units.  The
company is very interested in keeping power consumption down and the Cubox
runs at about the same draw as an XO 1.75.  In fact the Marvell SOC's they
are built from are very similar.  They group that runs the company is very
Open Source minded and is very excited to have involvement with a noble
project like OLPC.  Here is a quick list of pro's/con's

Pro's
1) Small, light, shippable worldwide in any quantity.
2) Similar platform to XO 1.75, very little changes needed to schoolserver
image to support the Cubox.  For non-multimedia only a kernel change is
needed.
3) Built more like a server platform.  With the Cubox you get gigabit
ethernet connectivity and an eSata port for external storage. Pro model has
2GB's of RAM.
4) Very low power, so need for a dedicated UPS. At 5v 2amps this can run
off a backup battery designed to charge a cell phone.
5) HDMI out could make this a "teacher's tool".  This could easily be
hooked up to a large monitor to also provide media output for a classroom.
Has an IR port for remote control.

Con's
1) It is only 800Mhz, so think XO 1.75 performance.  Although with more
optimized graphics drivers (more on this at another time)
2) Very small size.  You can literally pop it in your pocket and wander off.
3) Does not include wifi.  This can easily be rectified by a cheap usb wifi
adapter for small coverage, or better yet a ubiquito picostation, or
nanostation to cover a larger area.

I have been hacking on this as a side project for a while now.  I would
love to hear any questions or comments that this group can provide.

-Jon

-- 
Unsung Heroes of OLPC, interviewed live @ http://unleashkids.org !
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