Update, Great news, the MINIX serial port header *does* work with the proper cable. A cable with an "AT/Everex" or "Apex10-Everex" pinout maps IDC10 to DB9, Pin1->Pin1, Pin2->Pin2, Pin3->Pin3, etc. .
Updated Docs: OEM Production 2550L2D-MxPC (MINIX) Atom D2550 http://doc.astlinux.org/userdoc:board_oem_2550l2d-mxpc I personally used a StarTech.com PLATE9M cable, commonly available. This alternate source shows a good description: RS-232 COM Port Header Cable - AT/Everex http://www.logicsupply.com/db9-idc10/ Funny, originally both Michael Keuter and I had serial cables laying around, but neither of us had one with the "AT/Everex" pinout, so we blamed the MINIX, but as it turns out the "AT/Everex" pinout is the current standard for serial motherboard cables. Though there are other cable pinouts, so carefully check. So, at $130 USD / 100 EUR for the MINIX barebone system, this 2x NIC hardware is worth a look. Lonnie On Feb 27, 2014, at 10:05 PM, Michael Knill wrote: > Looks good but I really need my Serial interface sorry. Nice price though. > Lets see how reliable it is! > > Regards > Michael Knill > > > On 28/02/2014, at 2:43 PM, Lonnie Abelbeck <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Hi, >> >> We have added a new addition to our "Generic x86 Boards and Appliances" >> hardware list... >> >> OEM Production 2550L2D-MxPC (MINIX) Atom D2550 >> http://doc.astlinux.org/userdoc:board_oem_2550l2d-mxpc >> >> Also known as: MINIX Mini HD PC Intel Atom D2550 Barebone >> >> The key features of this system (referred to as "MINIX" herein) are the >> *price*, Broadcom NIC's and 13 Watts when idle . >> >> Executive summary: >> >> - Intel Atom D2550 (1.86 GHz, 2Cores, 4 Threads) >> - 2x Broadcom 57788 PCIe NIC's >> - SATA 3.0 Gb/s >> - Metal case with power button >> - Power Adapter >> - Price: $130 USD >> >> OEM Production 2550L2D-MxPC Intel NM10 2 x 204Pin Intel GMA 3650 Black Mini >> / Booksize Barebone System - OEM >> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856205007 >> >> Add a stick of RAM and SATA flash storage, you have a powerful AstLinux >> system. BTW: AstLinux 1.1.2 or later is required which supports the latest >> "tg3" Broadcom NIC driver from source. >> >> Details: >> >> In my testing lab, for well over a year I have used a Jetway NF99FL-525 / >> M350 case / 2 GB SATA Flash Module, to test full AstLinux builds containing >> Asterisk 11. I decided to replace this box with the MINIX for comparison. >> Fortunately both the RAM and SATA Flash Module worked equally well in the >> MINIX (remembering to remove 70-persistent-net.rules and enabling "tg3" in >> rc.modules before the switch). On first boot I had the exact same system >> running on the MINIX ! >> >> I have eth0 on the external interface, and three internal interfaces, eth1 >> (untagged), eth1.10 and eth1.50 . Performing iperf tests (Mac -> eth1 -> >> eth0 -> Mac) were at Gb line speed, (920 Mbps) at 78% idle (via top), >> essentially the same as the Jetway NF99FL-525 Intel 82574L NIC's, and >> somewhat interesting the Broadcom NIC's slightly outperformed the Intel >> NIC's when handling tagged (VLAN) frames. >> >> Another difference, the Jetway NF99FL-525 total idle power was 21 Watts, the >> MINIX is only 13 Watts. >> >> The MINIX steel case is of lighter weight than the M350 case, but solidly >> riveted and easy to remove top, plenty sturdy. The board looks >> professionally designed and manufactured. >> >> Quite surprising, comparing the Intel Atom D525 vs. D2550 in a PHP benchmark >> script, the D2550 is 6% faster... >> ++ >> == D525 (Jetway NF99FL-525) == >> Start : 2014-02-24 08:36:03 >> Server : @ >> PHP version : 5.3.28 >> Platform : Linux >> -------------------------------------- >> test_math : 8.887 sec. >> test_stringmanipulation : 9.351 sec. >> test_loops : 6.641 sec. >> test_ifelse : 4.398 sec. >> -------------------------------------- >> Total time: : 29.277 sec. >> >> == D2550 (MINIX) == >> -------------------------------------- >> test_math : 8.193 sec. >> test_stringmanipulation : 8.624 sec. >> test_loops : 6.406 sec. >> test_ifelse : 4.266 sec. >> -------------------------------------- >> Total time: : 27.489 sec. >> ++ >> >> The MINIX comes with a small CPU fan, typical 5000 RPM annoying small fan. >> It appears for typical AstLinux applications (no video, flash storage) in a >> climate conditioned location the fan is not necessary, you decide. The >> MINIX contains a Winbond W83627DHG-P chip for hardware monitoring (not the >> Fintek F71808 as the docs suggests), and "coretemp" provides accurate >> results. My system (at idle) with the fan removed shows the following: >> ---------------- >> coretemp-isa-0000 >> Adapter: ISA adapter >> Core 0: +59.0 C (crit = +100.0 C) >> coretemp-isa-0002 >> Adapter: ISA adapter >> Core 1: +61.0 C (crit = +100.0 C) >> w83627dhg-isa-0a00 >> Adapter: ISA adapter >> CPUVCORE: +1.23 V (min = +0.20 V, max = +2.04 V) >> 12V: +12.14 V (min = +10.82 V, max = +13.20 V) >> 3VCC: +3.33 V (min = +2.98 V, max = +3.63 V) >> 5V: +5.09 V (min = +4.51 V, max = +5.50 V) >> 1.5V: +1.58 V (min = +1.35 V, max = +1.65 V) >> Vbat: +3.50 V (min = +2.98 V, max = +3.63 V) >> SYS Temp: +43.0 C (high = +90.0 C, hyst = +85.0 C) sensor = thermistor >> ---------------- >> >> The MINIX works as expected in every way except for a small detail, for fun >> I attached a cable to use the serial port header on the board to access the >> console... started getty on /dev/ttyS0 and properly get my terminal >> characters echo'ed back but no other output. It seems the MINIX is not >> handling the "Data Set Ready" pin input (which is set). Either something is >> electrically wrong or the BIOS is not setting the UART properly. Of course >> the video console works fine using either the VGA or HDMI port on the back >> panel. I suspect all users will use the "geni585" (video console) image for >> the MINIX. >> >> The MINIX BIOS is from AMI, but not as complete (fewer options) as the >> Jetway BIOS is. >> >> In my testing environment I find it very useful to define ALERT_SOUNDS, so I >> added a small piezo speaker to the speaker header, works perfectly. The >> board does not include a piezo speaker. >> >> Summary: >> >> The MINIX is not a "fits all" AstLinux hardware solution, but leveraging on >> it's high-volume, generic PC design, the performance per cost value is >> excellent. The build quality seems quite good, time will tell. The missing >> CF card slot or third/fourth NIC can be overcome with SATA adapters and >> VLAN's if desired. Overall an AstLinux hardware solution that should be >> considered, particularly for price sensitive applications. >> >> Unlike the general mini-ITX from scratch solutions, the MINIX is ready to go >> except for RAM and flash storage. Adding a 2.5" SSD is the simplest as that >> is the default configuration. >> >> Keep in mind I have tested this box for less than a week. >> >> Lonnie ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Is your legacy SCM system holding you back? Join Perforce May 7 to find out: • 3 signs your SCM is hindering your productivity • Requirements for releasing software faster • Expert tips and advice for migrating your SCM now http://p.sf.net/sfu/perforce _______________________________________________ Astlinux-users mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/astlinux-users Donations to support AstLinux are graciously accepted via PayPal to [email protected].
