[Server-devel] Cubox Solidrun Prototype Packaging

[Jon Nettleton]

As for the connectors, I don't think an esata connector is either less or
more vulnerable than a cat5 connector, which we will have two of, one via
usb, or any other connector.  Yes they are possible failure points, but as
long as we make sure the esata cables have the locking connectors things
should be fine.

The new beta kernel is making progress.  I spent more time than I had
wanted debugging some problems with another user that had a Cubox-i in
regards to u-boot, device-tree, and the 3.10 kernel.  I have one last
intermittent bug that I think is fixed and then it should be ready for
testing.  If everything runs fine overnight it will be ready tomorrow
morning.

-Jon


On Sat, Jan 4, 2014 at 4:44 PM, George Hunt <georgejhunt at gmail.com> wrote:

> My experience tells me that connectors are the weak link in most systems.
>  So I'm not excited about a connector that is part of the essential data
> path, exiting the enclosure and exposed to being bumped/damaged.
>
> Jon, I'd really like to start working on your kernel, and getting it to
> play nicely with the XSCE. Is that possible? soon?
>
>
> On Sat, Jan 4, 2014 at 10:14 AM, Jon Nettleton <jon.nettleton at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> I figured we just put the cubox at the back of the case for now and loop
>> the esata cable back around into the box to hook up the drive.  Is there
>> any reason to even worry about making the hdmi cable available?  In the
>> back of my head I do have a dream where the XSCE could sit attached to a
>> monitor/projector for teaching materials, but that seems far enough out not
>> to worry about it.
>>
>> What does everyone else think?  You guys obviously have more "in the
>> field" experience than myself.  Those sorts of cases just seemed like a
>> relatively cheap solution to a problem that was brought up.
>>
>> I did talk with Rabeeh about the cooling for the i4pro and he said the
>> external case didn't need any sort of special cooling it just radiates as
>> is and should be fine completely enclosed.  There is actually a team that
>> is building an i4pro into their RC surveillance plane :-)  My i4pro should
>> be here this coming week and I can box it up, stress test it, and monitor
>> thermals from the on-board sensor as well as my IR thermometer to make sure
>> things look reasonable.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Jan 4, 2014 at 3:48 PM, George Hunt <georgejhunt at gmail.com>wrote:
>>
>>> What's the best strategy long term? The cubox has all its connectors on
>>> one face. Most of these need to be available to the outside. We can open
>>> the cubox and solder a esata connector that comes out the back. Picture is
>>> at http://imx.solid-run.com/wiki/index.php?title=CuBox-i_Hardware.
>>>
>>> Or we can try to project the essential stuff from the cubox mounted
>>> internally, and not really accessible from the outside.  The second item
>>> ending in 231 looks like it has pigtails to project the usb to the outside.
>>>  We'd need to do the same for the internal ethernet adapter. This approach
>>> still leaves the hdmi, and console usb that might need to be available
>>> occasionally.
>>>
>>> So maybe in the long run, we need something intermediate between the two
>>> Jon has suggested, so that when it is necessary, we can get a hand into the
>>> box to make insert the hdmi or console cables.
>>>
>>>  I'm in favor with going with number ..231 this time around.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sat, Jan 4, 2014 at 8:56 AM, Jon Nettleton <jon.nettleton at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>
>>>> Well from taking some basic measurements I was thinking we could pack a
>>>> 2.5" sata drive and connector along with the cubox into a 5.25 external
>>>> case like this
>>>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817145090  That
>>>> with a few dremel modifications and some soldering I think it would make a
>>>> nice compact holder.  Given the time constraints that is probably not
>>>> happening.  I did look around and found this which is more than enough
>>>> space to do whatever is needed without much more cost,
>>>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163231  It
>>>> also has excellent ventilation.
>>>>
>>>> Of course these are just suggestions to help create a more
>>>> self-contained product right now.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
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