[ale] Designing hardware that runs Linux

[Chris Fowler]

PC/104


On Fri, 2010-10-29 at 16:21 -0400, Michael B. Trausch wrote:
> Hello everyone,
> 
> I had an idea the other day to build an embedded system.  But I am
> seriously, seriously lacking the knowledge that would be required to
> implement the thing.  (And it might even be possible that someone else
> is already doing the things I'm looking at, but I haven't found them if
> they are.)
> 
> What I do know is that I need to talk to someone who knows a thing or
> two about building embedded systems that run Linux on them.  I don't
> want to put all the details of my thinking in the public archive (which
> is why I'm being a bit vague), but I think that it would be worthwhile
> looking into it.  What I do know is that this is (roughly) what I'd want
> in terms of hardware:
> 
>   * Two to four Ethernet ports
>   * At least one or two USB ports that are user-accessible
>   * An easily implemented "expansion bus" that would make a stackable
>     unit possible without sending the cost through the roof and provided
>     no less than 6 Mbps of usable net bandwidth
>   * <= 512 MB each of RAM and software storage, <= 4 GB of redundant
>     data storage
>   * A CPU capable of running Linux and a limited userland, in the 
>     300-600 MHz range
>   * No spinning platters, and passive cooling if possible
>   * The ability to use next to no power when idle
>   * The ability to use no more than approx. 90 watts when under full
>     load (the last two requirements being the most flexible, but still
>     strongly desirable)
> 
> Is there anyone on the list that would be willing to be paid for an hour
> or two of time to sit and talk with me about this idea, and help me to
> figure out how feasible it would be to actually create the
> implementation?  I can do all the software stuff involved (I think,
> though if any drivers need to be written that might take me a bit longer
> than I'd want, but I'd still be willing to do it), but I am seriously
> lacking in the domain of hardware knowledge that would be necessary for
> building around the software.
> 
> 	Thanks!
> 	Mike
> 
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