SBC:Choices

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Soekris

Soekris SBC models that we are using from Soekris


Main Specs

  • net4801: 266 Mhz CPU, 128 Mbyte SDRAM, 3 Ethernet, 2 serial, USB connector, CF socket, 44 pins IDE connector, 1 Mini-PCI socket, 3.3V PCI
  • net4826: 266 Mhz CPU, 128 Mbyte SDRAM, 1 Ethernet, 1 Serial, 64 Mbyte CF Flash, 2 Mini-PCI sockets, PoE
  • Power:

Customization

  • Possible??

Choices

  • net4801: 266MHz processor, 2 mini-PCI, CF card slot, PCI for extra ethernet. However no PoE, and extra components like USB, IDE connector.
  • net4826: 266MHz processor, 2 mini-PCI, on-board 64 MB FLASH, PoE. But only 1 LAN. Small form factor. Might be the better option with 128 MB FLASH.
  • net4521: 133 MHz processor, 2 PCMCIA, PoE: slow processor

OS Support

  • Linux: Pebble works
  • BSD: OpenBSD, FreeBSD

Pros/Cons

  • Experience with these models, Seem to be very reliable
  • Extra PCI options for 4801 available: 2/4 LAN board, VPN board,
  • Reasonable size : 4826 is very small, 4521 is big
  • Con: models are very different from each other,not all have PoE


Buying/Cost

  • Soekris
    • net4801: $222 (>20,$194)
    • net4826: $200 (>20,$174)
    • net4521: $178 (>20,$154)


Docs

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RouterBOARD

Router Platform from MicroTik. Good for wireless applications with 1 miniPCI, upto 2 PCMCIA, PoE

Main Specs

  • 266 MHz Geode SC1100, soDIMM(upto 512MB), Slots: 1 CF, 2 LAN, 1 miniPCI, 1 PCI, 2 PCMCIA, PoE, 1 serial
  • Power at 48V: 4.4W(64MB RAM + CF ), 6.8W 140mA(64 MB RAM + CF + 2 PCMCIA + 1 miniPCI full load)

Customization:

  •  ???

Choices

  • RouterBOARD 220: cheaper version, no USB, no PCI, no PCMCIA, only 1 LAN.
  • RouterBOARD 230: with USB, 1 PCI, 1 PCMCIA, 2 LAN

OS Support

  • Linux: no patches required, 2.4,2.6, Pebble should work.
  • RouterOS: Microtik OS based on Linux
  • BSD: OpenBSD, FreeBSD

Pros/Cons

  • Version 230 has dual PCMCIA and 1 miniPCI
  • PCI slot has universal voltage (3.3/5/12V)
  • Has power output pins (3.3/5V)
  • Reasonable size : 4.13x8.46 - both versions have same size
  • Con: need to buy soDIMM memory separately
  • Con: DC voltage is 20-56V - not good for solar.

Buying/Cost

  • RouterBOARD
    • RB/2A2: 220 + 64MB + Power adaptor: $208
    • RB/3A2: 230 + 64MB + Power adaptor: $233
    • RB/220: Only 220 board: $170
    • RB/230: Only 230 board: $195
    • Outdoor case: $49
    • Indoor case: $20
  • [www.wisp-router.com Wisp-Router]

Docs

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WRAP

Wirless Router Platform from PC Engines. Good for wireless applications with 2 miniPCI.

Main Specs

  • 266 MHz Geode SC1100, 64-128MB Slots: 1 CF, 2/3 LAN, 1/2 miniPCI, PoE, 1 serial, 3-5W(12V)

Customization:

  • CPU speed: 233,266,300MHz
  • BIOS adaptation

Choices

  • WRAP.1D-1 (2 LAN / 2 miniPCI) :
  • WRAP.2C (1 LAN / 2 miniPCI) :
  • WRAP.1C-2 (3 LAN / 1 miniPCI) :

OS Support

  • Linux: LEAF has been ported, some issues with keyboard controller , Pebble??
  • StarOS
  • BSD??

Pros/Cons

  • Seems low cost - can get the 1 LAN, 2 miniPCI for around $100
  • Low power, 3-5 W without miniPCI
  • OEM possible, board designed in Switzerland??, made in China


Buying/Cost

  • WispRouter
    • WRAP.2C (1 LAN/2 miniPCI): $120 , $102(>25)
    • WRAP.1D-1 (2 LAN / 2 miniPCI): $140.00 , $120(>25)
    • WRAP.1C-2 (3 LAN / 1 miniPCI): $147
  • From Switzerland
  • PacketGods

Docs

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Comparison

Board Soekris 48xx Soekris 45xx RouterBOARD 220 RouterBOARD 230 WRAP
Main
Processor 266 MHz Geode 100/133MHz AMD Elan 266 MHz Geode 266 MHz Geode 266 MHz Geo
Memory 64-128MB board 64MB SoDIMM(512MB) SoDIMM(512MB) 64MB board
Ports
Ethernet 1(4826), 3(4801) 1(4526), 2(4521), 3(4501) 1 2 2/3(.1C), 1(.2B)
CompactFlash 1, 64MB Board(4826) 1, 64MB Board(4526) 1 1 1
HDD 44-pin 2.5"IDE(4801) None 44-pin 2.5"IDE 44-pin 2.5"IDE None
PCMCIA None 1(4511), 2(4521) None 2 None
miniPCI 2 (4826), 1 (4801) 1(4521), 2(4526) 1 1 1/2(.1C) , 2(.1B)
PCI 1 3.3V (4801) 1 3.3V (4501) 1 3.3/5/12V 1 3.3/5/12V 1
Serial 1 1 1 1 1
USB 1 (4801) None None 1 None
GPIO 12 pins 8 pins 9 pins 9 pins
Power
PoE No(4801), Yes(4826) Yes, None(4501) Yes Yes Yes
DC Power 6-20V DC 6-20V DC 20-56V DC 20-56V DC 7-18V DC
Power Cons. max 15W max 10W 1.2W(100mA), 4W(1.2A), 15W(3A) Same at 12V(0.25 halt,0.4A)
Power Output None None 3.3VDC, 5VDC Same None
Others
Watchdog 1 of SC1100 1 SC520 2 controllers 2 controllers 1 of SC1100
Sensors Temp and volt None LM87 monitor(CPU,PCI area) Same LM77 monitor
Size 5.2"x5.7"(4801) 4.85x5.7"(4501), 9.2x5.7"(4521) 4.13x8.46 4.13x8.46 .1C(6x6"), .2B(3.9x6.3")
LEDs Power, Act, Err Power, Act, Err Power, Act, Err Same
OS Support
Cost


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Others

List of vendors: http://free-electrons.com/community/hardware/boards/

Potential new boards:

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