SFF server platform

[Michael Hipp]

Tony Alfrey wrote:

> Very very newbie questions:
> a.  I assume that, with an appropriate wireless card, one can use this 
> box to form an all wireless network and avoid the extra ethernet port?

Yes. Several specialty houses sell these boxes specifically as a wireless AP 
router.

> b.  w/ no CD rom, how do you load an OS?  Format and load the HD 
> elsewhere first?

1. Power down box.
2. Remove case cover.
3. Connect spare IDE CD-ROM to secondary IDE port.
4. Power up box.
5. Install O/S.
6. Power down box.
7. Disconnect CD-ROM.
8. Replace case cover.
9. Tuck under arm and deliver to client.

> c.  this looks like about $400 by the time you are finished.  Why would 
> one "rent" this?  Is this all wrapped into a service contract that you 
> provide?
> d.  "I have "drop in" bridging firewalls"  Very newbie Q:  Do they go in 
> this case?  I know what a 12V brick is but not a "bridging firewall". 
> "The brick also provides some protection . . . "  does the brick go in 
> this case?  Add maybe an extra $100?

The "brick" refers to an external power supply box (as opposed to the internal 
power supply in a typical desktop PC). The "brick" has nothing to do with 
firewall functions or anything to do with the network or software. The brick 
is external and that's why it's called a brick. It's a slightly larger and 
slightly less annoying version of a wall-wart transformer (more powerful too). 
Protection here refers to surge protection.

Not sure about David's business plan, but these would make dandy "turn key" 
appliance routers whether leased or bought outright. Having Linux on it to 
work with would provide lots of advantages over proprietary closed-box routers.

Michael