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PocketPC Wireless Webserver
Patrick Morris writes: "I learned that I could put Linux on my iPaq... so of course I did. I did a little research and found thttpd already ported to the ARM platform... So, I've got this poor little 206mHz ARM processor with 64mb running a webserver. Hey, it's kinda cool holding a webserver in your hand and being able to walk around with it."
I am currently taking time (measured in seconds) until total slashdot meltdown of the poor little ipaq.
----rhad
Slashdot needs to interview Natalie Portman.
as getting slashdotted. You dork.
There's a bunch of web servers ported to ARM. Heck, my Zaurus can run Apache and PHP.
ya don't.
Interactive Visual Medical Dictionary
Anyone ever seen an iPaq burn before?
Bryan J. Casto
bryan.casto(a)gmail.com
How long until this Ipaq is slashdoted?
30 sec.
1 min.
5 min.
10 min.
1 hr.
CowboyNeal
I'm sure that this poor little beastie will buckle sooner rather than later, here's what it said: (Plus a hit counter underneath, at 165 when I visited)
---
This server is running from a Compaq iPaq 3765 running the Familiar distribution of the linux operating system. The http server is thttpd which can be found here. Furthermore, this server is completely wireless. The only cable plugged in is a power cord to replenish the battery.
about a 10 second access time..
;-)
Put up some porn
Mommy. What's a karma whore?
"Hey, it's kinda cool holding a webserver in your hand and being able to walk around with it."
Right, cool until it melts in your hand and you end up looking like Johnny Tremain.
is now the first slashdotted handheld device.
Things you think are in the Constitution, but are not.
Here, just for fun, is a link to my iPaq running thttpd over a wireless link. It's really nothing spectacular.
noah
poor little 206mHz ARM processor with 64mb running a webserver.
We used to run a 100mhz sparc with 64mb that did 750k dynamically generated hits per day.
It's amazing what is considered slow...
_______
2B1ASK1
geek: "Hey, is that a webserver in your pocket?"
me: "No, I'm just happy to see you."
Best Windows Freeware
I hit it at 359.
Refresh and it was dead.
Well, on the upside.... If it was the iPaq that burnt out and not the connection dying, he'll be able to try to fix it on his way to the hospital to get those burns he woulda got from holding it when it died!
Dark Nexus
"Sanity is calming, but madness is more interesting."
I reached it at 9:32am MST and it had 506 hits at that point. That was about 7 minutes or so after the /. post.
I just went back there at 9:34am and could not reach the server.
Elsewhere in a galaxy far, far away...but at the exact same time....
- "what happened? Are you alright?"
- "I just felt a great disturbance in the force. It was as if a million transistors in an IPaq all cried out at once, and then were silenced. I feel something terrible has happened."
- A non-productive mind is with absolutely zero balance.
- AC
iPaq webserver
9:25am-9:35am (MDT)
May it rest in peace.
Things you think are in the Constitution, but are not.
For those that have a Sharp Zaurus pda we have been doing this for a while.
How about Apache with PHP
Or maybe the smaller Boa web server
How about a GUI Server manager for these? (screenshots)
Maybe put MySQL on it too have some more fun!
How about instructions on how to set up all of the servers (including smb)
There is nothign quite like getting your data by putting your sd card into the Z, selecting it as the root page and then browsing to it from another box.
Benjamin Meyer
P.S. How would you like to play Doom full framerate, multiplayer on the Zaurus! (for free too) It is coming soon! (Quake is more of a technical demo, can't do much without a floatingpoint, but if you want to see Quake on the Zaurus packages are already made.)
Do you changes clothes while making the "chee-chee-cha-cha-choh" transformation sound?
The Screen Savers on TechTV had a couple of folks demoing a handheld REAL PC from Tiqit. A full 640x480 screen, built-in keyboard, PCMCIA, Secure Digital, docking ability. Price tag will be steep (upwards of $1000), and the processor isn't as beefy as I'd like, but the built-in screen is SEXY.
oh for gods sake ive been running apache on ARM for a long time
the reason that you run apache is that it is threaded and can handle multiple connections at the same time and a bunch of other features that I wont list here see httpd.apache.org
compared to thttpd wich while tiny has no real performance
I wrote a webserver in about 200 lines so its not hard (mine had images as well)
the cool thing would be porting a 802.11b stack to a uCOS or eCOS now that would be cool
regards
john 'MIPS rules' jones
The 206mhz strongarm was the CPU used in lots of Network Computers, like the Dnard from Digital which became most of the NCs (that all flopped of course).
--- I do not moderate.
/. history "might" have been made with this being the first "hand held" to feel the /. affect.
:-)
Any also why did he do it?
Because he could
-- Knowing too much can get you killed, but knowing who knows too much can make you rich.
will he run out of bandwidth, or processing power? it's 206mhz, but also, he's probably got a cable connection or some sorts
:)
Even at the relatively low amount of hits my server gets from posting here - and a few extra when I post the odd +5 modded post, it's bandwidth that's sucked up far before the machine itself crawls to a halt - and thats on a 40Mhz 68040!. Serving to my internal network keep shuffling along happily
Getting it to the outside world isn't like pumping water through a small pipe... it's kinda more like trying to pee cold tar.
a grrl & her server
How long 'till it puked? I'm imagining the following conversation:
Patrick: Please slashdot my handheld.
Slashdot Community: Well, OK, if you insist.
At least let us know how it went....
ceci n'est pas un sig.
I mean, c'mon ... there is at least
one person who ported Apache to Windows CE
(ApacheCE),
so it's not like this particular example is unique
in terms of serving networked content.
One wouldn't even have to go through the pain of
configuring
Familiar Linux,
as was the case here.
Slow news day already?
The real potential for these devices lies in giving individuals the inalienable right to surveil their personal surroundings at all times. Attach a tiny mic and webcam to this device. Goodbye police brutality. Human rights abuses? Perfect, realtime, documentation.
Sure there's problems, but if airplanes get blackboxes, humans surely deserve something similar.
Propose this in congress, and watch which agencies get themselves bent out of shape. Ask yourself what they have to lose from such a device.
microsoftword.mp3 - it doesn't care that they're not words...
I was surprised to see Moshe Bar's web server handle the slashdot load just fine. He even says, The server handling this site is a noname PII 500Mhz machine with 256MB RAM, Apache 1.3.20, Mysql 3.23, Linux 2.4.18 and two IDE 6GB disks. Very simple hardware, but it still can withstand the Slashdote tide.
So what troublemakers really should do is stop writing trojans/bots and instead concentrate on building a community website and make sure it becomes really popular. Then, when you want to unleash a DOS attack, forget bots, IRC and all that other stuff, just post it and away you go! :)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Oh bother.
Running @ 200Mhz.
Last time I checked that was more than enough for thttpd. thttpd is a non-blocking non-threaded design... (select()). It's supposed to scale BETTER than apache, etc..
It will just have it's network link congested I think, but it won't *die* or *crash*.
Which is why he posted the story- to punish him for thinking he's creative when he's not. What better way to get the point across than to initiate a core melt down of his ipaq?
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be the name of a store, not a government agency.
"Hey guys, you know how lots of big servers die when we link to them? I just approved a submition with a link to a webserver running on a hand held! I got a stop watch...want take bets on the number of seconds it lasts? Better hurry!"
Come on timothy. How stupid is it to post to slashdot a link like this!?
-Pete
Soccer Goal Plans
Is that a Quadra 950?!? I always wanted one of those (well, after the 840AV of course ;-)
Whoops - I lied! it's a 33Mhz 040 - in an Overclocked Quadra 605 - just for the fun of it - as with the iPaq. It's not like it'll REALLY kill the lil handheld - just keep it a bit occupied for a while!
a grrl & her server
If you want to try out Linux running on an iPAQ for yourself, we happen to have one in the HP Test Drive Program. We also have a cross-compiling toolchain that lets you compile for the StrongARM from our Alpha servers. Additionally, we have a number of DEC Shark systems which are also based on the StrongARM processor available for your use.
That is very cool... But I'm wondering if this would be a way to host "unsavory" web sites. For example, if you were posting code for building worms or a hate web site. It's easier to hide a ipaq then it is to hide a tower, monitor, keyboard, etc.
-AlPhAbEt
Now if someone could come up with a wireless, peer-to-peer Gnutella type client....
"A microprocessor... is a terrible thing to waste." --
GeneralEmergency
There's also the BOA web server if you prefer.
raduga> check out headlines on slashdot! :)
raduga> some crazy hacker has apparently managed to run linux on an ipaq!!!!
dc_> OMFG
dc_> who??
dc_> I want one!
raduga> i dunno
raduga> but slashdot seems to think its amazing
raduga> not only linux but an http server!!
raduga> and wifi!
dc_> hahaha
dc_> omg.
dc_> somone's actualy installed linux on an...
dc_> iPAQ!!
raduga> WEIRD
* honeypea goes to read
dc_> really
honeypea> theyre really on the ball, arent they
raduga> slashdot is news for nerds!
raduga> er. you *are* a nerd, aren't you?
honeypea> stuff that used to matter!
Now that would be cool and something I'd love to have a hack at, however, doesn't 802.11b require a base station? In other words, you can't have two people with wireless cards communicating with each other without going through a base station. If thats the case then you couldn't just wander out into the street and hook up with a bunch of people nearby as they'd need access to your network.
Of course, you could just use bluetooth or IR, but that would mean you'd need 15,000 people stood just a bit too close to each other for comfort.
Avantslash - View Slashdot cleanly on your mobile phone.
If I had known this was newsworthy, I would have posted a few months ago when I got my Visor (Manos, the Handspring of Fate) running httpd with a Xircom wireless ethernet module...
Posted from the wireless couch.
Yes you can. Either using ad-hoc WLAN or using GPRS. Or using Bluetooth. All three work great for me..
I thought the topic was "what kind of underpowered computers can we use to run a web server and the brag about it so slashdot so they can cripple it with many hits?"
But what do I know?
Coding Blog
Thats right my car is a driving Network. The Chip running my fuel injectors is a mail server. My steroe is cleverly a front for a file server. I have the main combustion system running an apache web-server.
The neat part is each of the disc brakes are actually Harddrives. Thats right and they are a raid too!
Oh and I didn't bother with that linux stuff... ALL MS HERE....
Anyone wanna Drag Race My Web Server?
Razzious Domini
I could be a GREAT KARMA WHORE if I could just shed the few morals I have left.
>however, doesn't 802.11b require a base station?
No - 802.11b has two modes, managed and ad-hoc. Ad-hoc sacrifices a bit of performance for the ability to join peer-peer networks that don't have any base station
The point is to do something like this to demonstrate that it can be done, because it'll find a use eventually. For example, wouldn't it be really handy to take this toy to a conference, and after giving a presentation, host the support files on it for the day or two? That's just one use I came up with in ten seconds. The reason for doing this may seem silly now, but then the reasons for networking PCs together back in 1980 were fairly dumb, too. Sure, an iPaq won't handle much, but maybe the iPaq2 (or 3 or 4) will have the bandwidth necessary to make this happen. Who knows? But saying it's dumb because you can't conceive a practical purpose for it right now is short sighted and arrogant.
Virg
This is incredible news! Release all zig for great justice!
There are two wireless Ipaqs running web servers!
Maybe they will vie for control of the airwaves! It'll be duelling, http serving ipaqs!
Every sentence ends in an exclamation point! The subject line has three! I have a very low threshold for stimulus so everything is exciting!
In the future, I would want to not be isolated from my friends in the Space Station.
This sounds interesting.
Do these iPAQs or Zauri come or be augmented with audio, for example?
A portable web server that streams out live music or video from remote locations (concerts, theatres, seminars, political speeches) would be quite useful.
Practically, though, you wouldn't want everyone connecting directly to the BW limited wireless device. Better to relay to a cache server with big pipes to handle the multicasting.
"Provided by the management for your protection."
Two years ago -
JUMPtec AMD 486 DIMM PC 66MHz running a Slackware with apache and pppd, getty etc. and ccam (connectix camera capture software) INSIDE a Omnipoint Redhawk 2000 GSM modem hooked up to a Connectix Quickcam bought on eBay for $40. Linked up to mobilewebcam.com (I let it drop so someone else has got it now). Unfortunately, most of this hardware is end of lifed but it was good while it lasted.
The whole lot spent time between the dashboard of my car and being nailed to a tree looking at my house being built.
The aim was to build a totally autonomous web cam capable of working anywhere. To avoid slashdotting (even a few hits maxed out the connection) we had it uploading JPEGs to a server but it could be accessed directly, no problemo. The only issue we had was the 9.6k circuit switched connection to the ISP would drop every so often, indeed there were telephone numbers that wouldn't even accept 9.6k connections! Nowadays, we'd use a miniscule GPRS module like this one to get a 33k uplink always-on Internet connection.
One other problem was that the picture took quite a long time to scan - it was a parallel port connection. So if you moved the camera, like when I was driving, the picture washed out to white fairly quickly. When stationary it worked fine though.
About six months ago, somebody excitedly mentioned that they had successfully ported a webserver to WinCE. And I was thoroughly unimpressed, since the first thing I ever ported to the OS was Apache and it was almost a cakewalk.
Now, somebody has done the exact same thing except they've bound the webserver to a wireless card. Is this worthy of another post? I say thee nay, CorporalBurrito.
Anyway, I think the key here is that you palm kiddies don't understand an important thing about PocketPCs: they are not data managers, they do not simply replace a pad and pencil, they are not neat toys, they are not proof of concept demo pieces. They are PCs that fit in your hand, and anything you can do on a PC and fit into the 320x240 resolution you can do with a palm PC. My Cassiopeia has about the same power and ability of my old Cyrix 166, and I use it to do the same things I used to do -- I play games, I word process, I web browse, I manage files, I play music and movies, I compile programs and so forth. It's not like the palm world, where you're often crippled by the same design requirements that give you your long battery life -- a weak screen, a slow chip, little memory.
Is it impressive that I can play networked Quake and use Java c-s apps and run PostgreSQL and ssh into my server wirelessly from my pocket pc? Yes. Is it newsworthy? Not on your life.
Hey freaks: now you're ju
Try explaining that to the Compaq tech support.
...have been doing this for a long time. Here is a site that lists a few running Newton Message Pad web servers.. http://misato.chuma.org:2110/ I didn't get to see the IPaq's page, but the Newton's pages listed here are pretty remarkable.
... some clever hacker has a T-1 hooked up to the wife's electronic pleasure toy? :)
This sig has been temporarily disconnected or is no longer in service
isn't HATE a bit strong of a word? What's there to HATE? I mean, we don't even hate windows. We hate it's market dominance, we hate the business tactics used to gain that market dominance, we hate certain features of it that make working with it a chore, but we really just dislike the product itself and would prefer to use something for ourselves.
Why do you hate the iPaq? It's certainly not a dominating market force, Palm OS products still command something like an 85% market share, it is a fairly resonably priced bit of equipment (half as powerful as a low-end laptop, a fraction of the size, and half the price)
I can see where you'd get annoyed about the big deal everyone keeps making about PocketPC devices, but that doesn't mean you hate the products themselves. I mean, as far as I know, an Ipaq has never hurt anyone, no children were born without arms due to the Ipaq, the Ipaq hasn't been found to cause any sort of cancer.
If you don't see the point, ok. If you'd buy something different for yourself, that's cool. If you think slashdot posted a story that isn't even really news, hey I'm with you. But too HATE the iPaq (all caps no less!) is a little extreme.
I mean, if you HATE a little computer, what do you feel toward Osama Bin Laden? (or George W. Bush, I'll make no assumptions)
I don't like this kind of language, because it devalues the few strong terms that the english language has left. I think there are some words that are meant to express strong feelings and should only be used as such.
In Capitalist America, bank robs you!
This is old news... the webserver has been abailable on handhelds.org for a while now.
More intersting in my opinion is the intimate project. Full Debian distro, in your pocket. I currently dualboot to Familiar/Qtopia (for PIM and such, it has a nice UI and fits on my 'paq without a CF sleeve) and Intimate (for everything else, it's a full linux distro). Check it all out at handhelds.org!
Now I'm a little confused. 200 MhZ and 64 Megs of ram. Wasn't too long ago when that was standard issue for low-end webservers. I think with proper configuration, it should be able to handle a reasonably heavy load (certainly a few thousand hits)
Or is the slowness and dropping just from the small pipe?
In Capitalist America, bank robs you!
The company I'm working with just got two test Tiquits, we are working furiously on a killer app. Think medical practices.
Rule of Life Number 2: Remember, it can all go to hell at any minute. --Jimmy Buffet
Future Slashdot story:
Man Claims Development of Invulnerability Fabric
John Q. Public writes, "I just developed a new kind of fabric that renders the wearer invulnerable. I can be found at 123 Main Street, Smalltown, USA and I'll be wearing a suit made from this fabric in case anyone who reads this wants to drive by and take a shot at me."
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing -- Emo Phillips
If memory serves, most 802.11b wireless card software allows the card to be put into Ad-Hoc Mode, which effectively eliminated the need for a base station. From what I remember, this significantly reduces your range, but it should work in the aforementioned subway car full of wifi users.
I do think these things are fun. Seems to be that 3G mobile phones will offer the ultimate in 'vanity' servers - does anyone know if the telcos are actively looking at hosting services going on their phones?
It's dead, Jim.
Wasn't that long ago it was a *high* end web server. Or a high end server, period.
I'd be interested to know where the bottleneck on the system serving is, because you'd think a 200 MHz CPU serving content off solid state disk would scream along quite nicely.
Yeah, the box is a 1 GHz P3 with a gig of RAM and a fibre-channel RAID array for storage (no internal disks at all...way cool). It does nothing but mirror debian.
I don't have the disk space for extra stuff, but I'll happily add kde.tdyc.com once the new disks come. Maybe then I'll also be able to put up ISO images if they're helpful. I've already contacted the vendor and will probably install them by the end of the month. (and if you think SCSI disks are expensive, check out fibre-channel)
And of course, it's on Internet2, so you'll get very good connectivity if you are on it too.
noah
Last year at Drury U in Springfield MO I had a Palm Vx ($199) with a Minstrel CDPD modem (off eBay for $40.) With that you have a dedicated IP anywhere in town and actually in the downstairs below the Commons (cafeteria.) We used to post log entries from the Palm during live band performances downstairs, anyhoo, we also had a web server on the Palm and it was pretty pimp.
Here are some photos of the setup:
Pimp Palm Vx with Minstrel Wireless Modem
Shot of the Palm Vx serving web pages through httpd application (wirelessly!)
... he's replaced his "wireless iPaq" website with a more mundane version. He may have been merely attempting to advertise his URL freely to a wide range of individuals.
After all, he didn't accomplish an amazing feat. A few commands and some retail hardware will render your iPaq a wireless webserver.
Do you like German cars?