Linux microserver speeds up

By Eric Brown
2009-10-01

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Plat'Home announced a faster version of its "OpenBlockS" heat- and dust-resistant Linux microservers. The OpenBlockS 600 offers a 600MHz PowerPC-based AMCC CPU, 1GB of RAM, and dual gigabit Ethernet ports, in a 5.2 x 3.2 x 1.3-inch box with a claimed power consumption of just eight Watts.

The OpenBlock S and larger OpenMicroServer (OMS) are simple, heat-resistant servers that have been sold in Japan for years, and were introduced to the U.S. in 2008. Plat'Home announced in October, 2007 that the OpenBlockS and OMS were shipping in the U.S., which they finally did in March 2008. The OpenBlockS was touted for impressively low 4.5W power consumption (4.0W during standby), which enables it to be powered over a Power over Ethernet (PoE) connection.

OpenBlockS 600, front view

The OpenBlockS 600 boosts its dimensions slightly compared to the OpenBlockS, and doubles the power consumption to eight Watts. (PoE is no longer mentioned.) However, the compact server also offers more than twice the CPU performance and eight times the RAM than its predecessor, enabling embedded Web applications and databases, says Plat'Home.

As a result of providing a more robust embedded computing environment, customers can "avoid the security risk of a cloud solution, as no data will leave the network," says the company. (Have we already arrived at the age of cloud backlash?)

OpenBlockS 600, rear view

The device's AMCC PPC405EX processor is based on a PowerPC core clockable from 333MHz to 667MHz. The chip integrates PCI Express, USB 2.0 OTG (on-the-go), dual gigabit Ethernet ports, cryptographic acceleration, and a DDR2/1 memory controller.

The OpenBlockS 600's version is clocked at 600MHz and joined with 128MB RAM, of which half is available to users. The microserver also offers 1GB flash and an internal CompactFlash slot for expansion.

Inside the OpenBlockS 600

Compared to the previous version, the OpenBlockS 600 moves from dual 10/100 Ethernet ports to dual 10/100/1000 ports, and maintains the two serial ports, says Plat'Home. USB connectivity appears to be new, with two external and one internal ports available. The device is said to offer an even greater temperature range, now reaching from 32 to 131 deg. F when the gigabit Ethernet ports are not in use, and up to 122 deg. F when they are.

All of the OpenBlockS 600's preinstalled software is open source, claims Plat'Home. Equipped with its own, mature SSD/Linux distribution, the device can be customized for value-added resellers and appliance makers. A version of Java SE for Embedded 5.0 for the OpenBlockS 600 is said to be available upon request.

Specifications listed for the OpenBlockS 600 include:

Processor -- AMCC 405EX 600MHz (PowerPC); 16KB L1 cache
Memory -- 1GB DDR2 RAM
Flash -- 128MB (64MB free)
Flash expansion -- Internal CompactFlash Type I slot
Networking -- 2 x 10/100/1000Base-T ports
USB -- 3 x USB 2.0 ports (2 x external)
Serial -- 2 x RS-232C (RJ-45) ports
Other features -- JTAG port; 3 x LEDs; Init switch; battery
Power -- AC adapter; 8 W typical energy consumption
Dimensions -- 5.2 x 3.2 x 1.3 inches (133 x 81 x 31.8mm)
Weight -- 8.4 oz (240 g)
Operating temperature -- 32 to 131 deg. F (0 to 55 deg. C); when using gigabit Ethernet 32 to 122 deg. F (0 to 50 deg. C)
Operating system -- SSD/Linux pre-installed

Background

The Plat'Home servers are claimed to be the leading embedded Linux platform in Japan, with over 50,000 units sold. The microservers are said to be used in a variety of data streaming, device control, and network monitoring applications.

The original OpenBlock S (left) and OpenMicroServer

Plat'Home's larger OpenMicroServer (OMS) server, measuring 9 x 4 x 1.3 inches, runs SSD/Linux on an RMI Alchemy Au1550 system-on-chip (SoC) clocked at 400MHz, and is equipped with 128MB of PC133 SDRAM, 16MB flash, and a Type II CompactFlash slot. Connectivity features include dual gigabit Ethernet ports, a 10/100 port, two USB 2.0 ports, and two serial interfaces on RJ-45 ports. It also offers eight digital I/Os and supports PoE.

More recently, the company introduced a Kanshi BlockS Pro version of the smaller OpenBlock S server, designed for monitoring networks and servers for failures.

In addition to touting the low carbon footprint of its devices, the company is supporting a wind energy project in Tamil Nadu, India, that it claims will offset 1000 metric tons of CO2. Last year, Plat'Home ran a "Will Linux Work?" contest in which developers stretched the limits of the OMS in extreme and unusual environments. Winning designs included a sailboat navigator, a home automation system, an irrigation control system, and a chicken-coop door controller.

Availability

The OpenBlockS 600 is available now for $600 from Plat'Home partner Syskey, says the company. More information may be found here.

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