Creating a cheap wireless "server" with BSD.

Sorry for the multi-post. I first posted this to
comp.unix.bsd.openbsd.misc, and then thought that I might want a
larger audience. So then I posted to comp.arch, and someone there
suggested that THIS group would be the appropriate place to post my
questions.

--- Original Message Follows ---
'd like to try to create a cheap, small, wireless "server" with
BSD/Linux.  I'm not sure where I want to start, but I'm not opposed to
soldering individual components, and I'm not opposed to hacking code
(Its my profession after all).

If possible, I'd like to design something that cost less than
(hopefully) $100, and has WiFi support.  I'll want enough capability
to SSH into it, perhaps server some small files over HTTP (perhaps
using php).  It would be a bonus if I didn't have to cross-compile
programs on a seperate computer to get them working on this box.

So, my guess as to what I need:
   WiFi component
   Power Supply (preferably solar powered or AA powered, but can do
wired if I absolutely have to)
   Processor (cheapest possible with enough speed for what I need)
   Memory (again, cheapest possible with enough for what I need)
   Storage (you guest it, cheap but enough.  I'm thinking 1 gig flash
drive should be enough)
   Some way to connect for installation and maintenance.

Anyone have some starting points I can look at? The WiFi access
doesn't have to be secured, nothing important will be transmitted
unencrypted anyway.

Am I high thinking I can do this in less that $100?  If so, what is a
more reasonable estimate? Price is one of my main driving factors.

DD,

P.S. I don't get e-mail at the address I'm posting at, please reply
here.

Droopy Dog wrote:
> Sorry for the multi-post. I first posted this to
> comp.unix.bsd.openbsd.misc, and then thought that I might want a
> larger audience. So then I posted to comp.arch, and someone there
> suggested that THIS group would be the appropriate place to post my
> questions.
>
> --- Original Message Follows ---
> 'd like to try to create a cheap, small, wireless "server" with
> BSD/Linux.  I'm not sure where I want to start, but I'm not opposed to
> soldering individual components, and I'm not opposed to hacking code
> (Its my profession after all).
>
> If possible, I'd like to design something that cost less than
> (hopefully) $100, and has WiFi support.  I'll want enough capability
> to SSH into it, perhaps server some small files over HTTP (perhaps
> using php).  It would be a bonus if I didn't have to cross-compile
> programs on a seperate computer to get them working on this box.
>
> So, my guess as to what I need:
>   WiFi component
>   Power Supply (preferably solar powered or AA powered, but can do
> wired if I absolutely have to)
>   Processor (cheapest possible with enough speed for what I need)
>   Memory (again, cheapest possible with enough for what I need)
>   Storage (you guest it, cheap but enough.  I'm thinking 1 gig flash
> drive should be enough)
>   Some way to connect for installation and maintenance.
>
> Anyone have some starting points I can look at? The WiFi access
> doesn't have to be secured, nothing important will be transmitted
> unencrypted anyway.
>
> Am I high thinking I can do this in less that $100?  If so, what is a
> more reasonable estimate? Price is one of my main driving factors.
>
> DD,
>
> P.S. I don't get e-mail at the address I'm posting at, please reply
> here.

For under $100, you probably should look at hacking a Linksys router to run 
an enhanced version of the Linux OS.  This should help get you started:
http://www.linuxelectrons.com/features/howto/consolidated-hacking-guide-linksys-wrt54gl 

On Aug 3, 2:31 pm, "Anthony Fremont" <any...@nospam.com> wrote:
> Droopy Dog wrote:
> > Sorry for the multi-post. I first posted this to
> > comp.unix.bsd.openbsd.misc, and then thought that I might want a
> > larger audience. So then I posted to comp.arch, and someone there
> > suggested that THIS group would be the appropriate place to post my
> > questions.
>
> > --- Original Message Follows ---
> > 'd like to try to create a cheap, small, wireless "server" with
> > BSD/Linux.  I'm not sure where I want to start, but I'm not opposed to
> > soldering individual components, and I'm not opposed to hacking code
> > (Its my profession after all).
>
> > If possible, I'd like to design something that cost less than
> > (hopefully) $100, and has WiFi support.  I'll want enough capability
> > to SSH into it, perhaps server some small files over HTTP (perhaps
> > using php).  It would be a bonus if I didn't have to cross-compile
> > programs on a seperate computer to get them working on this box.
>
> > So, my guess as to what I need:
> >   WiFi component
> >   Power Supply (preferably solar powered or AA powered, but can do
> > wired if I absolutely have to)
> >   Processor (cheapest possible with enough speed for what I need)
> >   Memory (again, cheapest possible with enough for what I need)
> >   Storage (you guest it, cheap but enough.  I'm thinking 1 gig flash
> > drive should be enough)
> >   Some way to connect for installation and maintenance.
>
> > Anyone have some starting points I can look at? The WiFi access
> > doesn't have to be secured, nothing important will be transmitted
> > unencrypted anyway.
>
> > Am I high thinking I can do this in less that $100?  If so, what is a
> > more reasonable estimate? Price is one of my main driving factors.
>
> > DD,
>
> > P.S. I don't get e-mail at the address I'm posting at, please reply
> > here.
>
> For under $100, you probably should look at hacking a Linksys router to run
> an enhanced version of the Linux OS.  This should help get you started:http://www.linuxelectrons.com/features/howto/consolidated-hacking-gui...

I'll check that out, although I was hoping for something small and
relatively low-power. I would love this to be solar powered.

Again, I don't mind soldering things myself, or rewriting large
portions of source code.

Thanks for the reply.

In article <1186175874.691449.233940@w3g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>, 
Droopy Dog says...
> 'd like to try to create a cheap, small, wireless "server" with
> BSD/Linux.  I'm not sure where I want to start, but I'm not opposed to
> soldering individual components, and I'm not opposed to hacking code
> (Its my profession after all).
> 
> If possible, I'd like to design something that cost less than
> (hopefully) $100, and has WiFi support.  I'll want enough capability
> to SSH into it, perhaps server some small files over HTTP (perhaps
> using php).  It would be a bonus if I didn't have to cross-compile
> programs on a seperate computer to get them working on this box.
> 
> So, my guess as to what I need:
>    WiFi component
>    Power Supply (preferably solar powered or AA powered, but can do
> wired if I absolutely have to)
>    Processor (cheapest possible with enough speed for what I need)
>    Memory (again, cheapest possible with enough for what I need)
>    Storage (you guest it, cheap but enough.  I'm thinking 1 gig flash
> drive should be enough)
>    Some way to connect for installation and maintenance.
> 
> Anyone have some starting points I can look at? The WiFi access
> doesn't have to be secured, nothing important will be transmitted
> unencrypted anyway.
> 
> Am I high thinking I can do this in less that $100?  If so, what is a
> more reasonable estimate? Price is one of my main driving factors.

Gumstix maybe?  That doesn't meet your price target once you include 
WiFi but it's getting there.

Robert

-- 
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Droopy Dog wrote:


> I'd like to try to create a cheap, small, wireless "server" with
> BSD/Linux.  I'm not sure where I want to start, but I'm not opposed to
> soldering individual components, and I'm not opposed to hacking code
> (Its my profession after all).
> 
> If possible, I'd like to design something that cost less than
> (hopefully) $100, and has WiFi support.
<snip>

Please see my 'zipit' pages at:

http://www.cybertheque.org/homebrew/zipit

Regards,

Michael

On Aug 3, 5:18 pm, Robert Adsett <s...@aeolusdevelopment.com> wrote:
> In article <1186175874.691449.233...@w3g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>,
> Droopy Dog says...
>
>
>
> > 'd like to try to create a cheap, small, wireless "server" with
> > BSD/Linux.  I'm not sure where I want to start, but I'm not opposed to
> > soldering individual components, and I'm not opposed to hacking code
> > (Its my profession after all).
>
> > If possible, I'd like to design something that cost less than
> > (hopefully) $100, and has WiFi support.  I'll want enough capability
> > to SSH into it, perhaps server some small files over HTTP (perhaps
> > using php).  It would be a bonus if I didn't have to cross-compile
> > programs on a seperate computer to get them working on this box.
>
> > So, my guess as to what I need:
> >    WiFi component
> >    Power Supply (preferably solar powered or AA powered, but can do
> > wired if I absolutely have to)
> >    Processor (cheapest possible with enough speed for what I need)
> >    Memory (again, cheapest possible with enough for what I need)
> >    Storage (you guest it, cheap but enough.  I'm thinking 1 gig flash
> > drive should be enough)
> >    Some way to connect for installation and maintenance.
>
> > Anyone have some starting points I can look at? The WiFi access
> > doesn't have to be secured, nothing important will be transmitted
> > unencrypted anyway.
>
> > Am I high thinking I can do this in less that $100?  If so, what is a
> > more reasonable estimate? Price is one of my main driving factors.
>
> Gumstix maybe?  That doesn't meet your price target once you include
> WiFi but it's getting there.
>
> Robert
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account fromhttp://www.teranews.com

This looks like a place to start, but it is a little more expensive
that I was hoping for.  I'll keep an eye on it, maybe find something
on ebay :-).  I was confused about how to set it up though. Is there a
way to hook it up to a display to log in and set up?

On Aug 3, 10:03 pm, msg <msg@_cybertheque.org_> wrote:
> Droopy Dog wrote:
> > I'd like to try to create a cheap, small, wireless "server" with
> > BSD/Linux.  I'm not sure where I want to start, but I'm not opposed to
> > soldering individual components, and I'm not opposed to hacking code
> > (Its my profession after all).
>
> > If possible, I'd like to design something that cost less than
> > (hopefully) $100, and has WiFi support.
>
> <snip>
>
> Please see my 'zipit' pages at:
>
> http://www.cybertheque.org/homebrew/zipit
>
> Regards,
>
> Michael


That looks like a possible route for me to take...  Do you have any
idea how easy/difficult it would be to add solar powering to this
device? Also, I didn't get a good feel for the size from what I found
online, I'm hoping it can be something on the small side.  (Something
closer to the Gumstix computers).

On the plus side, it looks like I can get a zipit for $40 at Circuit
City online.

In article <1186246835.797611.166410@i13g2000prf.googlegroups.com>, 
Droopy Dog says...
> On Aug 3, 5:18 pm, Robert Adsett <s...@aeolusdevelopment.com> wrote:
> > In article <1186175874.691449.233...@w3g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>,
> > Droopy Dog says...
> >
> >
> >
> > > 'd like to try to create a cheap, small, wireless "server" with
> > > BSD/Linux.  I'm not sure where I want to start, but I'm not opposed to
> > > soldering individual components, and I'm not opposed to hacking code
> > > (Its my profession after all).
> >
> > > If possible, I'd like to design something that cost less than
> > > (hopefully) $100, and has WiFi support.  I'll want enough capability
> > > to SSH into it, perhaps server some small files over HTTP (perhaps
> > > using php).  It would be a bonus if I didn't have to cross-compile
> > > programs on a seperate computer to get them working on this box.
> >
> > > So, my guess as to what I need:
> > >    WiFi component
> > >    Power Supply (preferably solar powered or AA powered, but can do
> > > wired if I absolutely have to)
> > >    Processor (cheapest possible with enough speed for what I need)
> > >    Memory (again, cheapest possible with enough for what I need)
> > >    Storage (you guest it, cheap but enough.  I'm thinking 1 gig flash
> > > drive should be enough)
> > >    Some way to connect for installation and maintenance.
> >
> > > Anyone have some starting points I can look at? The WiFi access
> > > doesn't have to be secured, nothing important will be transmitted
> > > unencrypted anyway.
> >
> > > Am I high thinking I can do this in less that $100?  If so, what is a
> > > more reasonable estimate? Price is one of my main driving factors.
> >
> > Gumstix maybe?  That doesn't meet your price target once you include
> > WiFi but it's getting there.
> >
> > Robert
> >
> > --
> > Posted via a free Usenet account fromhttp://www.teranews.com
> 
> This looks like a place to start, but it is a little more expensive
> that I was hoping for.  I'll keep an eye on it, maybe find something
> on ebay :-).  I was confused about how to set it up though. Is there a
> way to hook it up to a display to log in and set up?

I've not used it but I think I've seen reference to standard serial (or 
USB serial) terminal style interface.

It's a product I keep in mind for the eventuality I need something like 
it.

Robert

-- 
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Droopy Dog wrote:
<snip>
>>
>>Please see my 'zipit' pages at:
>>
>>http://www.cybertheque.org/homebrew/zipit
<snip>
> 
> That looks like a possible route for me to take...  Do you have any
> idea how easy/difficult it would be to add solar powering to this
> device?

Operating power consumption varies around 200mw, and of course
radio activity affects power drain the most; input voltage
is 5vdc.

  Also, I didn't get a good feel for the size from what I found
> online, I'm hoping it can be something on the small side.

It fits comfortably in the average shirt pocket ;)

Regards,

Michael

On Fri, 3 Aug 2007 16:31:53 -0500, "Anthony Fremont"
<anyone@nospam.com> wrote:

>Droopy Dog wrote:
>> Sorry for the multi-post. I first posted this to
>> comp.unix.bsd.openbsd.misc, and then thought that I might want a
>> larger audience. So then I posted to comp.arch, and someone there
>> suggested that THIS group would be the appropriate place to post my
>> questions.
>>
>> --- Original Message Follows ---
>> 'd like to try to create a cheap, small, wireless "server" with
>> BSD/Linux.  I'm not sure where I want to start, but I'm not opposed to
>> soldering individual components, and I'm not opposed to hacking code
>> (Its my profession after all).
>>
>> If possible, I'd like to design something that cost less than
>> (hopefully) $100, and has WiFi support.  I'll want enough capability
>> to SSH into it, perhaps server some small files over HTTP (perhaps
>> using php).  It would be a bonus if I didn't have to cross-compile
>> programs on a seperate computer to get them working on this box.
>>
>> So, my guess as to what I need:
>>   WiFi component
>>   Power Supply (preferably solar powered or AA powered, but can do
>> wired if I absolutely have to)
>>   Processor (cheapest possible with enough speed for what I need)
>>   Memory (again, cheapest possible with enough for what I need)
>>   Storage (you guest it, cheap but enough.  I'm thinking 1 gig flash
>> drive should be enough)
>>   Some way to connect for installation and maintenance.
>>
>> Anyone have some starting points I can look at? The WiFi access
>> doesn't have to be secured, nothing important will be transmitted
>> unencrypted anyway.
>>
>> Am I high thinking I can do this in less that $100?  If so, what is a
>> more reasonable estimate? Price is one of my main driving factors.
>>
>> DD,
>>
>> P.S. I don't get e-mail at the address I'm posting at, please reply
>> here.
>
>For under $100, you probably should look at hacking a Linksys router to run 
>an enhanced version of the Linux OS.  This should help get you started:
>http://www.linuxelectrons.com/features/howto/consolidated-hacking-guide-linksys-wrt54gl 

Yep -- a Linksys WRT-54G running DD-WRT partially fills the
requirement.  

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