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The new goal |
We began to receive some demands for production-quality
1U servers, and our first
release was only designed for fun, even though it
still disserves its pages. Main targets are ISPs,
parallel computing, and web stressing tools. Their common
needs are :
- very small units : even if we can't make
them thinner than 1U (1.75in or 4.45cm), and
narrower than 9in, we can try to reduce their depth
to allow the use of smaller racks and increase the
overall density.
- low power consumption : we choose our
components for a reduced consumption. Typically, a
complete server running at full speed would need only 30W.
- high computing power : the old 486 was a bit weak
for today's applications. Now we will be using
Celeron or Pentium III processors for higher
computing power. The new model will come with at
least one FastEthernet interface, plus a PCI slot
for 4 additionnal ports or one GigaEthernet card.
- reliability : only reliable hardware and
software. Hard disks will be used only when absolutely
necessary, and with journaled file-systems. The
flash file-system will nearly always be mounted
read-only to reduce risks of data corruption. Software
re-initialization and servers swapping must be easy
and fast in case of failure. Power supplies will be
shareable between neighboor boxes.
- ease of administration : the LCD panel will
include a keypad for frontal administration, and
good software for remote administration via SSH or
web interface.
- security : ability to lock the keypad and
to lock accesses to the system through the use of a
smart card.
Flash file-system will be mounted read-only.
First attempt in design
None of us is a designer, but we put our hands on a
3D-modeler and got these results (click to
enlarge) :
And finally...
Where to find the components
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