Re: Looking for cheap/small/quiet GNU/Linux server

From: Stefan Monnier (monnier_at_iro.umontreal.ca)
Date: 07/19/04 

Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2004 15:31:53 GMT

> Sounds like you want to assign static IP addresses.

No I don't. I want the machines to "just work" whether I'm at home or at
work, so they should just use DHCP all the time (and yes, at home they'll
always get the same IP, so it's a static IP but obtained dynamically).

> If that's the case, why not just define them in /etc/hosts? or NIS?
> or some other name server. The whole idea behind DHCP was to be able to
> assign dynamic IP addresses.

The idea was to distribute IP addresses dynamically. They might very well
always be the same. The standard dhcpd in Linux can do that without any
problem, but the one used in most/all routers is much dumber.

> The Linksys is cute, but you might want a bit more expandability? Small
> disk? Printer port(s)? Memory expansion? Serial port(s)? etc.

I want 0 noise and very small form factor. I don't care about expansion.
The only thing that I might consider useful is a USB port (which some
routers offer), but it's pretty far down the list of my priorities.

> What I've done for "cheap machines" is pickup some old "junkers" from a
> local used computer store, years ago. They cost me $50/ea, and with extra
> stuff from my "junk box" (and a couple of new parts) I was able to put
> together an internet gateway, similar to what you describe. Some people go
> "dumpster diving" (dunno if for real, or just an expression), or find
> someone getting rid of an old machine. I doubt that computer store
> tradeins are worth much these days? Just a gimmick to get 'em in the store.

It ends up usually much louder than a router, and the form factor is
simply incomparable.

        Stefan

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