Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

A Linux Server Express for Portable Wi-Fi?

Posted by Cliff on from the powered-by-the-penguin dept.

crome wonders: "The new Apple Airport Express is a little wonder of technology. It packs a wi-fi base station with all the usual capabilities of base stations plus the iTunes over network thing in one little square appliance that plugs directly to the power plug in the wall. I have a few of these and I am quite happy with them. Often however, when I most need a wi-fi base station on the go, I also need a server on the go. For example, in my second home I have an old DSL modem, and I have an Airport Express but I have no way to share the connection over wi-fi because the Airport Express doesn't support PPTP. Having a similarly formatted small Linux server with two ethernet ports, a usable Linux distribution on it with all the tools one needs when traveling, and some disk space to save stuff would be great. Any hints on what components to use or anything that comes close to a Linux Server Express?" "A while ago, Cerfcube (a small start-up) had such small appliances, but they disappeared and the format (a cube) wasn't very practical. Since I don't seem to be able to find such a very small format Linux server, I am just going to build one myself. I plan to build one into an existing power adapter (mimicking the Airport Express) and cram into it a computer-on-a-chip, a small disk, and two ethernet ports."

37 comments

  1. DLS modem by tasinet · · Score: 1, Funny

    What's a DLS modem anyway?

    1. Re:DLS modem by jm92956n · · Score: 4, Funny
      What's a DLS modem anyway?
      A DLS modem is a small piece of hardware that is now believed to be extinct by most credible computer scientists. Current available evidence suggests the item was once used as a telecommunication device.

      Alternate theories include a submitter without a spell-check device.
      --
      An effective signature identifies a particular user amongst a base of thousands.
    2. Re:DLS modem by binaryspiral · · Score: 1

      It's kind of like the Abd cable on an old mac, or the P2S cable on a PC, now replaced with the faster and more modern UBS cables.

    3. Re:DLS modem by insomnyuk · · Score: 3, Funny

      DLS = Didn't Learn Spelling

    4. Re:DLS modem by tverbeek · · Score: 2, Funny
      What's a DLS modem anyway?

      It's obviously a typo for "LDS modem", a device knwon for sending out packets in pairs, trying to connect with non-compliant devices and convert them to use their own rather strict proprietary protocol (popularly known as "mormon"). LDS modems originally supported one-to-many connections, but now only work in one-to-one mode.

      --
      http://alternatives.rzero.com/
  2. huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You have a second home!!

  3. Nano-ITX by guard952 · · Score: 2, Informative

    Build a nano-itx pc.

    1. Re:Nano-ITX by aminorex · · Score: 2, Insightful

      How? You can't buy the boards.

      --
      -I like my women like I like my tea: green-
  4. They've had them for years. by b00m3rang · · Score: 3, Funny

    Laptops.

  5. Use flash memory by egarland · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The Linksys NSLU2 may be a good palce to start.

    TomsNetworking has a good article about messing around with it.

    Add a USB network card and a big USB key and you should be good to go (it has 2 USB ports).

    --
    set softtabstop=4 shiftwidth=4 expandtab nocp worlddomination
    1. Re:Use flash memory by spiralscratch · · Score: 1

      The Kuro Box from Buffalo might be a better choice if you want to go the NAS route.

    2. Re:Use flash memory by egarland · · Score: 1

      Cool device!

      I've been thinking about doing something with an embeded linux device with a hard drive and this Kuro Box seems like a much better option than the NLSU2. The drive goes inside the device which makes it much nicer for carrying around. I guess I should be reading Toms Networking more often.

      For the original poster, the NSLU2 is probably closer to what they were originally looking for since they were trying to hack it into a single box with a plug. It's smaller, it has 2 usb ports not 1, and it's cheaper (NewEgg has them for $70 referb). Of course, the Kuro is a single box and the power supply is inside it. If they wanted a real hard drive in the device it seems like the obvious winner.

      --
      set softtabstop=4 shiftwidth=4 expandtab nocp worlddomination
  6. related... by rbochan · · Score: 3, Informative

    not an appliance, but a Live CD: ZoneCD

    --
    ...Rob
    The American Dream isn't an SUV and a house in the suburbs; it's Don't Tread On Me.
    1. Re:related... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      or this kuro box

      http://www.tomsnetworking.com/Reviews-171-ProdID -K UROBOX.php

  7. Am I missing somthing? by returnoftheyeti · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Whats so special about an Airport? Why cant the poster go buy a $39.99 Netgear Wi-Fi router? It supports PPoE, DHCP, 80211b/g, its a NAT firewall. If you insist on Linux, dosnt Linksys has stolen Nix code, that is even hackable?

    1. Re:Am I missing somthing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It has a print server built in and it's tiny and you can stream music to its audio output port. I can stream music to my living room, and easily take it down the basement and stream to my stereo without carrying power cables/transformers around.

    2. Re:Am I missing somthing? by 2nd+Post! · · Score: 3, Informative

      Hmm, maybe the print server and the speaker hookup for the AirTunes feature. Or the 'by design' plug and go feature of the Airport Express.

      --

      GPL Deconstructed
    3. Re:Am I missing somthing? by Bombcar · · Score: 1

      Well, I think the poster could just buy an Airport Base Station, what with the multiple Airport Expresses (at $125 each) and the two houses, you know.......

      --
      Fellowship 9/11
    4. Re:Am I missing somthing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Am I missing Something?

      ...
      If you insist on Linux, dosnt Linksys has stolen Nix code, that is even hackable?      [sic]

      Sentence structure? Grammar, perhaps?

    5. Re:Am I missing somthing? by geg81 · · Score: 1

      Plug and go where, exactly? How networking and security needs to get configured is pretty standardized. Either the AirTunes is not standard, or it's not secure, or its users have to put up with the same nuisances as everybody else. There is no magic fourth option. And Apple isn't the first compan to come up with proprietary "solutions" to the problem of network configuration that are supposed to make people's lives easier--as long as you keep buying from them only.

    6. Re:Am I missing somthing? by 2nd+Post! · · Score: 1

      Each unit can actually store five 'profiles' such that when it's moved among several places, it can use the settings for that location. I've a co-worker with one, but I haven't used one.

      Setup is as easy as any other Mac networking product (Airport, Airport Extreme, Mac OS X).

      --

      GPL Deconstructed
  8. WRT54G by bobthemuse · · Score: 3, Informative

    Why not just use a pair of linksys WRT54G routers using the Sveasoft firmware? At under $60 each, not going to find a reliable solution much cheaper... firmware update allows all sorts of neat features, including VPNs.

    1. Re:WRT54G by Malor · · Score: 1, Informative
      Sveasoft is very, very abusive of the GPL. You might want one of the other firmwares, like OpenWRT.

      Basically, if you exercise your right ot distribute under the GPL, you lose your right to download further beta firmware releases. I figured I could live with this, but it gets worse. A) he doesn't release the source code for quite some time after releasing a given binary, and B) you can't complain about this in any way, shape, or form, or he will terminate your account. I had posted what I thought was a pretty gentle reminder that thousands of people have written millions of lines of code so that he could do his simple (in relation) glue work, and that he should consider GPL redistribution as advertising. I got a short email notice to the effect of 'Copying my software is PIRACY, not advertising!' and a cancellation notice. Note that at NO time did I exercise my GPL right to redistribute. I was terminated simply for having an opinion he didn't like. He did, at least, refund my $20.

      But it gets worse still... it appears he has gone to amazing lengths to get mirrors shut down. He may have finally given up on this, but at least one person here on /. claims that he has made false hacking claims and has issued false DMCA takedown notices. Lots and lots of detail here.

      I strongly suggest that you choose another firmware. If it's not as good as you want it to be, help to make it better, instead of lining the pockets of this guy who hates the GPL, but is more than willing to take advantage of it.

    2. Re:WRT54G by DamnYankee · · Score: 2

      Actually what you wrote in the Sveasoft forums was that you "regretted subscribing" along with verbage designed to start yet another GPL flame war in the Sveasoft forums.

      We promptly refunded your subscription - as you requested.

      There are many other (and more appropriate) places than the Sveasoft forums to discuss GPL issues, such as here on Slashdot.

      Source code is always released for our binaries, albeit with up to a two week delay. When firmware is stable we release it publicly, with source, at no cost. Look for the public version of Alchemy in the next week or two as we move to the new Talisman firmware development.

      --

      Life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
      William Shakespeare

    3. Re:WRT54G by Malor · · Score: 3, Interesting

      "designed to start yet another GPL flamewar" -- oh please. I was expressing an opinion, and quite gently. I have never before been banned from any public discussion forum, under any alias.

      Normally, I would go read what I wrote to be certain that my memory of events and of what I said is correct, but, gee, I can't read it anymore. It never occurred to me that you'd actually ban me for a dissenting opinion, so I didn't save a copy.

      If any bystarnders are actually looking, I suggest you go read some of the many hundreds of posts I've made over the many years I've been here. I'm not a troll. I think about what I say before I say it. I make no pretense of perfection, but go read some of what I've written, and think to yourself about whether that person would be likely to start a flamewar. I'm pushing 40, for chrissake. I have better things to do.

      Contrast that with the numerous people talking about the abuses perpetrated by Sveasoft. There's an awful lot of smoke here. Perhaps, just perhaps, there's a fire?

      James is very, very good at sounding reasonable, but behind that reasonable facade lurks a very nasty fellow indeed. Read some of the stuff at the link above for some examples.

      And James... nobody is begrudging you making money on your project. At least, it sure doesn't sound like they are. I know I don't care... make all the money you like. And I pay for quite a bit of the free software I particularly like... send wishlist gifts, that kind of thing. I had no interest in shutting down your project. If anything, I wanted to help it.

      I, for one, just don't think that your glue work is any more valuable than the work of all the people who came before you. I'm cheerfully willing to help subsidize that kind of effort. I am not, however, happy about seeing GPL code hijacked. Thousands of programmers have put in millions of hours to make your project possible, and you are in essence spitting on them. Shame on you.

      Even a two week delay, by the way, is unacceptable under the terms of the GPL. And when I posted my message, it had been more than a month and closer to six weeks. I'd have to check my post to be sure, but I'm nearly certain that it was this time delay that I found pretty questionable.

      Again, to the world at large.... I'd suggest spending your money elsewhere. Support projects with ethical leaders. False DMCA notices and falsified hack reports, if true, are way, way, WAY into unacceptable behavior, and shouldn't be supported.

    4. Re:WRT54G by lga · · Score: 1, Interesting

      DamnYankee wrote:
      There are many other (and more appropriate) places than the Sveasoft forums to discuss GPL issues, such as here on Slashdot.

      Then lets discuss it here on Slashdot. Why is Sveasoft abusing the GPL like this? The Sveasoft code is clearly modifications to GPL software, and while they have the right to charge for the software and the right to restrict distribution to whom they chose, their customers have the right under the GPL to pass on the software to whoever the hell they like. Can you dispute that? Can you back up what you claim?

      Why is Sveasoft resorting to dirty claims of hacking and copyright violation to get mirrors cut off when (a) the mirrors are perfectly legal and (b) they know full well that no hacking has taken place?

      I await your non-answer with baited breath.
      --
      A latent existence
    5. Re:WRT54G by dubl-u · · Score: 3, Interesting

      There are many other (and more appropriate) places than the Sveasoft forums to discuss GPL issues, such as here on Slashdot.

      There are better places to discuss your own GPL compliance than your own forums? It would seem to me that unless you're trying to cover something up, the very best place to talk about that is on your own site.

  9. a soekris box could work... by Malor · · Score: 1

    They're kind of expensive, but a Soekris box could work well for you. They are veyr small, fanless PCs without video cards, which use Compact Flash as their hard drives. Their fastest machine is a 266mhz 586-equivalent, which is fast enough to route 10-20 megabits, depending on how much processing you're doing per packet. They all have multiple Ethernet ports, and the various models come with different mixes of PCMCIA, mini-PCI, and 3.3v full-sized PCI slots.

    Note that getting a pseudo-embedded environment like this running properly is not trivial. Since there are no hard or floppy drives, you must either install the CF, netboot the unit, and install an OS image, or else build an OS image from another computer and plug it in. And because CF has limited write lifetime, you have to be very careful to minimize writes.

    But, once you have things working, these little boxes make surprisingly effective routers and firewalls. They are totally silent and have no moving parts, which makes them good for hard-to-reach installations like tower tops and such.

    The main downside is the cost... with a CF, you can expect to put about $300 into a 4801, which is way more expensive than a Linksys box. But you have full control... except for having no video card, they're pretty much like any other PC you'll ever work with.

  10. Try having a single house... by bergeron76 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm sure with all the money you'd save, you'd proabably be able to afford the greatest of wifi technologies.

    Please don't confuse the sarcasm of this post with some twistedly severe and unbridled jealously of your multi-home ownership. ;)

    --
    Don't think that a small group of dedicated individuals can't change the world. It's the only thing that ever has.
    1. Re:Try having a single house... by rthille · · Score: 1

      Don't be jealous. Shit with all the time I'm spending on maintaining the 'too big' house we got when we changed locations to a cheaper area all my computers are falling into disrepair (bitrot)... :-(

      --
      Awesome furniture, accessories and cabinetry in Santa Rosa, CA: http://humanity-home.com/
  11. Mod Parent Down by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    -1 Grammar Nazi

    And if he was trying to be funny...
    -1 Tired Joke About Grammar, even more tired than the "I for one, welcome our new..."

  12. The Cerfcube is still around by bjpirt · · Score: 1

    it's here but you're right - it wouldn't really do what you want because it won't do wireless (not easily anyway)

    There is a good list of small embedded linux devices at (strangely enough) linux devices which should help you out.

    One that isn't on that list but which looks pretty much perfect is the meshcube

    but there's also the Wireless Router Application Platform which looks pretty interesting and is actually affordable without any expensive developer kit required

    HTH

    1. Re:The Cerfcube is still around by tigersha · · Score: 1

      I run a WRAP and I can heartily recommend it. Its quite a nice little box that.

      --
      The dangers of excessive individualism are nothing compared to the oppressiveness of excessive collectivism
  13. Or you could link the Airport to a WRT54G by DamnYankee · · Score: 1

    Several folks using our Sveasoft firmware on a Linksys WRT54G or GS have successfully linked to an Airport using WDS (Wireless Distribution System).

    It's a cool and relatively cheap way to extend your wireless network coverage without having to run CAT5 to the second router.

    Because both devices are based on the same Broadcom wireless chipset they are interoperable.

    --

    Life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
    William Shakespeare

  14. gumstix by TravisWatkins · · Score: 1

    http://www.gumstix.com/

    --

    "But I'm still right here, giving blood and keeping faith. And I'm still right here."
  15. Port NetBSD to the Airport Express... by rthille · · Score: 1

    And use the USB port for external storage for the stuff you're serving.

    --
    Awesome furniture, accessories and cabinetry in Santa Rosa, CA: http://humanity-home.com/
  16. PPTP ugh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Just get two cheap DSL routers and use they're built in IPSEC stack. It's probaly a crappy implementation of ipsec and it won't interop with any other IPSEC vendor but, who cares. If you buy two of the same models it should work. You could setup your own VPN. Please don't use PPTP...as it's shit.