Extreme Linux Server Available to North America

jcasman writes "CNet is covering an announcement from Japanese Linux provider Plat'Home on a low-cost, super tough Linux-based server, now available in the US, that can handle extreme heat and cold. 'The OpenMicroServer is kind of an "extreme" use server pushing the boundaries for normal, low-cost hardware. In a 624-day endurance test, the OpenMicroServer performed normally under 122 degree F conditions. The unit also employs a power efficient AMD Alchemy (MIPS) CPU and precise part placement based on thermo-fluid analysis to achieve semi-hermetic construction.'"

How about some details?

[Ungrounded Lightning]

Ok, so it's wide temperature range, low power, and low cost. How about some more detail?

  - Actual power consumption. (How does it vary with load and temperature? What voltage (range) is required?)
  - Price.
  - Processor speed.
  - Internal memory. (Disk? Flash? How much RAM?, ...)
  - I/O ports. (How many? What are they?)

Etc.

TFA was fluff.

Re:How about some details?

[harrkev]

Try to RTFA. There is a link to most of this stuff (except price). Dual GB and one 100 ethernet (not bad). USB connectors. The problem is that the thing appears to support CF as the only internal storage option. Great for an embedded system, but there is no way to add a hard drive, short of the USB ports.

Re:Half the story

[snowraver1]

Generally speaking, condensation is not really an issue for operating electronics.

Using electricity, however much, generates heat. This means that the device will always be warmer than the ambiant temperature. If the temerature drops to the dew point, condensaction forms on objects that are the same temperature or colder than the dew point, but since your device is generating heat, it will remain dew/frost free!

Think, when there is frost (or dew) do you ever have frost on the exterior of your house? The small amount of heat leaking through the walls keeps your house dry.

If you introduce active cooling (things that will lower the temp to below the ambient temp), then you can have condensation.

Re:Ummm..freezing is now 0 F?

[CrazedWalrus]

I think that's what he meant when he said "(when just reporting the integer part of course)." People tend to think you're being overly anal retentive when you start quoting them decimal points in everyday conversation.

In other words, Farenheit gives you greater precision without making you sound like a dick. :-)

Re:Half the story

[JesseL]

How about when powering up a device that's been off for a while?

Or if the ambient temperature suddenly shifts? Not everything lives in a stationary box.

I've had to apply conformal coatings to enough industrial electronics to know that humidity does cause issues for them.

The stuff my company has done in manufacturing power generating wind turbine controls makes this thing's specs pretty unimpressive.

Re:On that note

[Digi-John]

Scully, are you familiar with the Apollo 18 mission? It was a secret launch to test the survival times of unprotected humans in space.
But Mulder, that's crazy, the government would never--
Would never what, Scully? Never kill to hide the TRUTH? Never cover up what the public has a right to know?

Re:Ummm..freezing is now 0 F?

[The real PoD]

I think what you're trying to say is "Fahrenheit is easier for me because it's what I'm used to".

As a South Aussie, Celcius is perfect,
0 = bloody cold
10 = cold
20 = just right
30 = quite warm
40 = hot

What should I wear if it's 65F outside? Without converting to Celcius I'd have no idea.

Re:On that note

[jimmypw]

Infact although space may be recognised as "cold" the coldest temperature ever recorded was here on earth in a lab at around -260C~ the theory behind absolute zero still as yet has not been achieved and is debateable weather it ever will be as it would have to be devoid of all energy. One could raise the point would it be devoid of all matter too?