I decided, on a boring day in May of 2008, that I would try to do something I hadn’t done before. So I decided to “build” a tiny computer that would function as my private home server. My motto was “as tiny as possible but still usable”. I had seen this other guy build his own server using m0n0wall and a Alix motherboard; so I ordered my own Alix board but instead of going the same road as he did; I picked a ever smaller version with some features that suited me better – the Alix 3C3.
Specifications
CPU: 500 MHz AMD Geode LX800
DRAM: 256 MB DDR DRAM on board
Storage: CompactFlash socket
Power: DC jack or passive POE, min. 7V to max. 20V
Expansion: 2 miniPCI slots, LPC bus
Connectivity: 1 Ethernet channel (Via VT6105M 10/100)
I/O: DB9 serial port, dual USB, VGA, audio headphone out / microphone in RTC battery
Board size: 100 x 160mm Firmware: tinyBIOS
Other: Three LEDs
Build Log
So this is everything you need to build a system like my PoSer.
In order left to right, up to down:
* 12 V power supply.
* CF-card reader.
* Chassi
* Alix 3C3 motherboard (or other model of choice)
* CF-card (I used 4GB which turned out to be a bit overkill so far)
I was surprised to see how tiny this motherboard really is even though I had read about the exact measurements before. It feels way smaller when you hold it in your hand. This is a comparison to my cellphone and a creditcard (actually two credit card cut in half and taped together).
Getting the system to boot really was piece of cake. At first I tried using standard Ubuntu just to check what would happened. It installed OK but failed booting since the CPU wasn’t supported. I found this wonderful Linux distribution called Voyage Linux. It’s derived from Debian and especially designed to run on embedded platforms as the Alix etc. The installation was very simple and not much of experience is needed. I took the CF-card and plugged it in to my multi-card reader. I created a Ext3 partition and ran the Voyage Linux installation in a terminal from my workstation.
All you really need to do is specify where the CF-card is mounted and it’s pretty much done deal. Just two small pieces of advice besides following the readme: 1. Unpack the compressed file as root to preserve privileges and 2. Specify if you want an serial terminal or not.
When the installation is completed, pop the CF-card to the slot on the Alix card, plug some electricity and your ready to rock! Either connect a monitor to the VGA-port or connect a Ethernet cable and manage everything using SSH. Voyage Linux promotes the “remountrw” and “remountro” commands since the CF-cards has limited amounts of read and write cycles.
This will mount your filsystem as read only to save the life time of your CF-card. When you need to install or change anything just type “remountrw” and your good to go.
This is the beauty in action. I haven’t painted or branded it yet but I will do it soon. I’m still waiting on one of the side plates to arrive from the shop I bought it at. I use this bad boy as a file server running Screen and rTorrent. I have also plugged in a external HDD that is powered by two of the USB-ports on the PoSer to get some more storage without having to use the CF-card.
Recommended areas of using devices like this
Well, there are endless possibilities but this is some potential fun project you can use this hardware or similar Alix boards to do:
» File server
» Tiny web server
» Seedbox for torrents
» Wardriving
» Car PC
» GPS (you need a GPS card or something for this, probably a bigger project)
» Hidden webcam for home surveliance
» Thin client
» Router (there is alot of good Alix-cards for routers)
» Networked music streamer
» Media player (havn’t tried if it’s possible yet though)