Bob Munck writes:
> Rich Kulawiec
> > ... I can now roll out a complete web/ftp/mail/etc. Internet
> > server for a customer in a day, starting from hardware-in-box to
> > fully functional system completely configured and plugged into the
> > 'net. ... In six months, I'll be able to do the same job in 4
> > hours:
>
> Careful, in eight months you'll be able to buy one that comes out
> of the box ready to go. There are early versions on the market now.
> Unpacking boxes and plugging in power and RJ45 cables won't keep
> you in kayak paddles.
There are about five models on the market; Linux Journal last month
(October) reviewed the Cobalt Qube 2700 server (www.cobaltmicro.com), and
Cobalt now has a rack-mounted design (the Cobalt RaQ) which looks to mount
quite nicely in a standard rack, making it optimum for colocation jobs.
The reviewer seemed to like the Cobalt Qube better than the Whistle
Interjet, the Web Zerver, the Cisco Microweb server or the Twister, but the
review wasn't a comprehensive comparison. Still, everything I've heard
about the Cobalt is pretty good.
At $999 for the base model - 2.1GB disk, 16MB RAM and performance
comparable to or better than a 200Mhz Pentium (it runs on a MIPS chip) -
it's not bad. I could cobble together a buffer box for less, but it
would be susceptible to hardware compatibility woes and the time involved
might well make it worth going with the Cobalt.
Note that the Cobalt has nno peripherals and for that matter no way to
plug it into a screen. it's meant to be stuck in a closet and surfed to for
configuration. For a desktop Linux box you may be better off going with
the VAResearch boxes. But the Cobalt is designed to be plug'n play and
apparently comes pretty close to the mark. It boots up expecting to be
assigned an IP via DHCP, though you can perform some basic configuration
via an LCD panel on the back. The web server and various standard
software, including Perl for CGI scripting, comes preinstalled and ready to
roll.
Hm... I wonder, if these guys are doing well in a year or two, they
should maybe think about coming out with a scaled-down version a'la Web TV
or Corel's Netwinder and go for the sub-$1000 PC market.
Steven J. Owens
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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