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Rugged Linux Server For Rural, Tropical Environment?

Posted by timothy on from the crate-of-netbooks-and-solar-panels dept.

travalas writes "Last year I moved to Rural Bangladesh. My work is pretty diverse, everything from hacking web apps to designing building materials. Increasingly a Linux VM on my MacBook Pro is insufficient due to storage speed/processing constraints and the desire to interface more easily with some sensor packages. There are a few issues that make that make a standard server less than desirable. This server will generally not be running with any sort of climate control and it may need to move to different locations so would also be helpful if it was somewhat portable. The environment here is hot, humid and dusty and brutal on technology and power is very inconsistent so it will often be on a combination of Interruptible Power Supply and solar power. So a UPS is a must and low power consumption desirable, so it strikes me that an Integrated UPS a la Google's servers would be handy. Spec wise it needs to be it needs to be able to handle several VM's and some other processor storage intensive tasks. So 4 cores, 8GB of ram and 3-4 TB of SATA storage seems like a place to start for processing specs. What sort of hardware would you recommend without breaking the bank?"

9 of 236 comments (clear)

  1. Silicon by amclay · · Score: 2, Funny

    You might try (if it's too humid) putting some silicon packets in the box. They should help absorb the moisture.

    --
    It's all fun and games till someone divides by 0. Then it's hilarious.
    1. Re:Silicon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      If they're big enough there's the potential of changing the entire climate of Bangladesh.

  2. Re:All that and ruggedized? by Viv · · Score: 4, Funny

    If you can show me a laptop that can handle -40C to 85C, high levels of humidity, draws no more than 5W of power, needs no fans for cooling, and reasonably gracefully handles transients associated with lightning strikes for less than $1500, I'll gladly buy it.

  3. Pff, that's easy by arrenlex · · Score: 5, Funny

    Let me summarize your requirements
    -> Runs cool and quiet
    -> Heat, humidity, dust resistant
    -> Portable
    -> Low power requirements
    -> Integrated UPS
    -> Very beefy server
    -> Cheap

    If you find one drop me an email, I want to install Duke Nukem Forever on it.

  4. Re:What could you possibly be doing ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    In other news, The Pirate Bay have resorted to a mobile server operation running from the Bangladeshi Jungle...

  5. Mothra? by happymellon · · Score: 2, Funny

    I don't think I really want to know how you can accomplish that...

  6. Re:What could you possibly be doing ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    This just proves that the global economic crisis has even hit super-villainy. Dude can't get the financing for his own lair -- in Bangladesh! Sharks with lasers? How about one sickly goldfish with a strap-on LED! The legitimate face of his evil operation? A roll of paper towels and a squeegee!

  7. Re:What could you possibly be doing ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    ou're?

    we, as humanity, have reached a new low.

  8. Re:All that and ruggedized? by camperslo · · Score: 2, Funny

    If you can show me a laptop that can handle -40C to 85C, high levels of humidity, draws no more than 5W of power, needs no fans for cooling, and reasonably gracefully handles transients associated with lightning strikes for less than $1500, I'll gladly buy it.

    One of these should hold up very well.
    For added lightning resistance you might want to order a version opting for some ceramic or bone components.
    (Bone may be a "greener" choice where you are)