"killer replacement for the NSLU2"

[lance_benson]

Martin Michlmayr concludes that Marvell Semiconductor's new SheevaPlug Plug Computer $100 reference design is "a killer replacement for the NSLU2."

Here: http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS2356496718.html

and here: http://www.cyrius.com/journal/debian/kirkwood/sheevaplug/nslu2-killer

Debian, etc.

[Jon Pounder]

lance_benson wrote:

Interesting .... but - "same price range" = double the cost the way I
see it, and until its got good software support its not very useful.

I'd also like to see a benchmark comparison doing something useful,
since clockspeed isn't everything, especially for a cpu I have never
heard of before.

Yeah looks like it has potential but it has to prove itself first.

> Martin Michlmayr concludes that Marvell Semiconductor's new SheevaPlug Plug Computer $100 reference design is "a killer replacement for the NSLU2."
>
> Here: http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS2356496718.html
>
> and here: http://www.cyrius.com/journal/debian/kirkwood/sheevaplug/nslu2-killer
>
> Debian, etc.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>  

[Martin Michlmayr]

* Jon Pounder <jonp@...> [2009-03-16 22:26]:
> Interesting .... but - "same price range" = double the cost the way I
> see it, and until its got good software support its not very useful.

Why double the cost?  I thought a NSLU2 was around $80?
--
Martin Michlmayr
http://www.cyrius.com/

[Mario Ruprecht-2]

Martin,
 
are you going to distribute some updates about your progress with
SheevaPlug on this list, too? I like to see if this might be my next gen
NSLU2 ;-)
 
Thanks, Mario
--
http://www.knecht-ruprecht.info <http://www.knecht-ruprecht.info/>

 

  _____  

From: nslu2-linux@... [mailto:nslu2-linux@...]
On Behalf Of Martin Michlmayr
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 7:56 AM
To: nslu2-linux@...
Subject: Re: [nslu2-linux] "killer replacement for the NSLU2"



* Jon Pounder <jonp@inline. <mailto:jonp%40inline.net> net> [2009-03-16
22:26]:
> Interesting .... but - "same price range" = double the cost the way I
> see it, and until its got good software support its not very useful.

Why double the cost? I thought a NSLU2 was around $80?
--
Martin Michlmayr
http://www.cyrius. <http://www.cyrius.com/> com/

[Martin Michlmayr]

* Mario Ruprecht <mario@...> [2009-03-17 09:25]:
> are you going to distribute some updates about your progress with
> SheevaPlug on this list, too? I like to see if this might be my next gen
> NSLU2 ;-)

I think updates about the SheevaPlug are off-topic to this list, but
you can follow my blog where I'll provide updates.

--
Martin Michlmayr
http://www.cyrius.com/

[Sébastien Lorquet]

argh, after reading your site I want a sheeva plug :(

it's $130 incl. shipping to france.

On Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 11:21 AM, Martin Michlmayr <tbm@...> wrote:

> * Mario Ruprecht <mario@...> [2009-03-17 09:25]:
> > are you going to distribute some updates about your progress with
> > SheevaPlug on this list, too? I like to see if this might be my next gen
> > NSLU2 ;-)
>
> I think updates about the SheevaPlug are off-topic to this list, but
> you can follow my blog where I'll provide updates.
>
> --
> Martin Michlmayr
> http://www.cyrius.com/
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

[Paulo Lyra]

Where I found one ?

2009/3/17 Sébastien Lorquet <squalyl@...>

>   argh, after reading your site I want a sheeva plug :(
>
> it's $130 incl. shipping to france.
>
> On Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 11:21 AM, Martin Michlmayr <tbm@...> wrote:
>
>> * Mario Ruprecht <mario@...> [2009-03-17 09:25]:
>> > are you going to distribute some updates about your progress with
>> > SheevaPlug on this list, too? I like to see if this might be my next gen
>> > NSLU2 ;-)
>>
>> I think updates about the SheevaPlug are off-topic to this list, but
>> you can follow my blog where I'll provide updates.
>>
>> --
>> Martin Michlmayr
>> http://www.cyrius.com/
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>  
>

[razzadiver]

You might find like the UK, the shipping doesn't increase for two items.
So now we just need to find some localish people to split the postage costs with :)

--- In nslu2-linux@..., Sébastien Lorquet <squalyl@...> wrote:
>
> argh, after reading your site I want a sheeva plug :(
>
> it's $130 incl. shipping to france.

[Neil Ronketti]

razzadiver wrote:
> You might find like the UK, the shipping doesn't increase for two items.
> So now we just need to find some localish people to split the postage costs with :)

Are these available in a UK 3-pin package? For some reason the idea of
having an adaptor to convert from UK 3-pin to the 2-pin configuration of
the standard package just fills me with recollections of the 16K RAM
pack continually falling out of the back of my old ZX-81.

But in theory, I'd join in any bulk-shipment of these to the UK to split
postage costs. I've absolutely no idea what I'd actually do with it as
my slug currently does everything I need, but since when did anyone need
a good reason to buy toys? :)

Thanks,
nr.

[Martin Michlmayr]

* Neil Ronketti <neil@...> [2009-03-17 12:16]:
> Are these available in a UK 3-pin package?

I'm sure they will be at some point.  In any case, when you remove the
power connector you'll actually get a 2-pin connector to which you can
connect a cable.  I'm not sure what the cable is called, but it's very
common.

See http://www.cyrius.com/debian/kirkwood/sheevaplug/images/img_0007s.jpg
for the connector and
http://www.cyrius.com/debian/kirkwood/sheevaplug/images/img_0002s.jpg
for the cable.

--
Martin Michlmayr
http://www.cyrius.com/

[razzadiver]

Either C7 or 'Figure of eight'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_connector


--- In nslu2-linux@..., Martin Michlmayr <tbm@...> wrote:

> I'm sure they will be at some point.  In any case, when you remove the
> power connector you'll actually get a 2-pin connector to which you can
> connect a cable.  I'm not sure what the cable is called, but it's very
> common.
>
> See http://www.cyrius.com/debian/kirkwood/sheevaplug/images/img_0007s.jpg
> for the connector and
> http://www.cyrius.com/debian/kirkwood/sheevaplug/images/img_0002s.jpg
> for the cable.
>
> --
> Martin Michlmayr
> http://www.cyrius.com/
>

[Rod Whitby-2]

Martin Michlmayr wrote:
> * Mario Ruprecht <mario@...> [2009-03-17 09:25]:
>> are you going to distribute some updates about your progress with
>> SheevaPlug on this list, too? I like to see if this might be my next gen
>> NSLU2 ;-)
>
> I think updates about the SheevaPlug are off-topic to this list, but
> you can follow my blog where I'll provide updates.

Posts that compare (or comment on the comparison between) the Sheeva
with the NSLU2 are welcome on this list.  As are any other posts about
good replacement devices for the NSLU2.

Marvell has donated one Sheeva device to the nslu2-linux core team, and
Brian Zhou will be using that to create an Optware feed for it.
Discussion about the optware feed is also welcome on this list.

Discussion about running Debian on the Sheeva should probably happen on
the debian-arm mailing list (just like discussion about Debian on an
NSLU2 should happen there too).

We're not too hard and fast about on-topic rules for this list (in
general, as long as it's got something to do with the NSLU2 it's
probably ok), but I wouldn't want to see this list turn into place were
the majority of discussion is about Sheeva development.

Thanks,

-- Rod Whitby
-- NSLU2-Linux List Owner

[Charles Lindsey-2]

--- In nslu2-linux@..., Rod Whitby <rod@...> wrote:

> Posts that compare (or comment on the comparison between) the Sheeva
> with the NSLU2 are welcome on this list.  As are any other posts about
> good replacement devices for the NSLU2.

The Bad News is that the Sheeva is a giant overkill for many applications - who needs 512MB RAM to control simple household devices?

The Good News is that it was designed with home-brew applications in mind, so AIUI the Linux that comes bundled in with it could quite well be suitable as it stands, even if it is not full Debian.

Moreover, it appears to give access to useable IO to connect to simple external gqdgets, whereas to do the same with a Slug you need to attack it with a soldering iron to gain access to some of the internal interfaces that are provided by the Chip, but not brought out.

AFAICS, it has two internal boards, one of which gives access to JTAG and other features needed for development, but not necessarily needed to running applcations. That is connected by a ribbon cable to the m ain processor board and which, I suspect, gives access to the usual 2-way IO channels suitable for connecting to LEDs, Push Buttons, and simple 24-character LCD displays. What is not clear is whether there is an on-board A-to-D Converter, which is what I am really after. Some ARM chips do include that, but not all.

And by removing the development board, you would have room to incorporate your own custom board. What would be really nice is if they would supply the processor board on its own, for you to add your own Power Supply and enclosure. Comparing it with other single board computers that weem to be available, and whose asssociated development boards cost extra, the price does not seem too bad. But people living in the EU should be aware that there will be a 30% import duty on top of the shipping price.

[Nick Boyle]

May be interested in one for the UK. Not fussed r.e. three pin plug as
you can connect a stereo lead.

Add me to a list, if there is one.

Nick

On Wed, Mar 18, 2009 at 12:36 PM, Charles Lindsey <clerew5@...> wrote:

> --- In nslu2-linux@..., Rod Whitby <rod@...> wrote:
>
>> Posts that compare (or comment on the comparison between) the Sheeva
>> with the NSLU2 are welcome on this list. As are any other posts about
>> good replacement devices for the NSLU2.
>
> The Bad News is that the Sheeva is a giant overkill for many applications -
> who needs 512MB RAM to control simple household devices?
>
> The Good News is that it was designed with home-brew applications in mind,
> so AIUI the Linux that comes bundled in with it could quite well be suitable
> as it stands, even if it is not full Debian.
>
> Moreover, it appears to give access to useable IO to connect to simple
> external gqdgets, whereas to do the same with a Slug you need to attack it
> with a soldering iron to gain access to some of the internal interfaces that
> are provided by the Chip, but not brought out.
>
> AFAICS, it has two internal boards, one of which gives access to JTAG and
> other features needed for development, but not necessarily needed to running
> applcations. That is connected by a ribbon cable to the m ain processor
> board and which, I suspect, gives access to the usual 2-way IO channels
> suitable for connecting to LEDs, Push Buttons, and simple 24-character LCD
> displays. What is not clear is whether there is an on-board A-to-D
> Converter, which is what I am really after. Some ARM chips do include that,
> but not all.
>
> And by removing the development board, you would have room to incorporate
> your own custom board. What would be really nice is if they would supply the
> processor board on its own, for you to add your own Power Supply and
> enclosure. Comparing it with other single board computers that weem to be
> available, and whose asssociated development boards cost extra, the price
> does not seem too bad. But people living in the EU should be aware that
> there will be a 30% import duty on top of the shipping price.
>
>

[Ralph Finch]

I'd love to have a 5 watt linux box that would be powerful enough to serve
as a DVR/Media Center. combine email/web browsing with broadcast TV/Radio.
Probably need more than 512MB for that, but for sure the NSLU2, as useful to
me as it is (proxy/bittorrent/file server), can't do what I'd like to
eventually do with low power.

 

From: nslu2-linux@... [mailto:nslu2-linux@...] On
Behalf Of Charles Lindsey
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 5:37 AM
To: nslu2-linux@...
Subject: [nslu2-linux] Re: "killer replacement for the NSLU2"

 

The Bad News is that the Sheeva is a giant overkill for many applications -
who needs 512MB RAM to control simple household devices?

[nlinux]

Nice price on that dev box,  I've seen other articles where the target price
for the non dev kit version is $49.95.  I suspect OpenWRT will already run
on this with very minimal mods.  If anyone remembers, Marvell Semiconductor
bought Intel's Xscale processor business and this is the the next generation
of those cpu's.  So in effect this should be the big brother of the Xscale
cpu in the NSLU2, and if they hit that $49.95 target price then this is
definitely a bargain basement dream Slug replacement.

On Thu, Mar 19, 2009 at 6:19 PM, Ralph Finch <rgf@...> wrote:

>    I’d love to have a 5 watt linux box that would be powerful enough to
> serve as a DVR/Media Center… combine email/web browsing with broadcast
> TV/Radio.  Probably need more than 512MB for that, but for sure the NSLU2,
> as useful to me as it is (proxy/bittorrent/file server), can’t do what I’d
> like to eventually do with low power.
>
>
>
> *From:* nslu2-linux@... [mailto:nslu2-linux@...] *On
> Behalf Of *Charles Lindsey
> *Sent:* Wednesday, March 18, 2009 5:37 AM
> *To:* nslu2-linux@...
> *Subject:* [nslu2-linux] Re: "killer replacement for the NSLU2"
>
>
>
> The Bad News is that the Sheeva is a giant overkill for many applications -
> who needs 512MB RAM to control simple household devices?
>
>
>      
>

[Gregg C Levine-2]

Hello!
Not exactly. According to the LinuxDevices website, Intel sold them the line
that would have gone into Cell phone handsets, and related hardware.

What processor is worn by the NSLU2? The Xscale family is broad, and it was
originally called StrongArm as described by the firm who made the original
processor for the iPaq.

Technically the SOC worn by the thing from Marvell is a typical ARM based
SOC, and is indeed related. But that's all it is.
 Take a look at this http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS5104946946.html it
does mention Intel as the company behind the processor.

And of course we are mentioned here
http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS4507356300.html .
--
Gregg C Levine hansolofalcon@...
"The Force will be with you always." Obi-Wan Kenobi
 
-----Original Message-----
From: nslu2-linux@... [mailto:nslu2-linux@...] On
Behalf Of Mark Kelly
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 8:17 AM
To: nslu2-linux@...
Subject: Re: [nslu2-linux] Re: "killer replacement for the NSLU2"

Nice price on that dev box,  I've seen other articles where the target price
for the non dev kit version is $49.95.  I suspect OpenWRT will already run
on this with very minimal mods.  If anyone remembers, Marvell Semiconductor
bought Intel's Xscale processor business and this is the the next generation
of those cpu's.  So in effect this should be the big brother of the Xscale
cpu in the NSLU2, and if they hit that $49.95 target price then this is
definitely a bargain basement dream Slug replacement.
On Thu, Mar 19, 2009 at 6:19 PM, Ralph Finch <rgf@...> wrote:
I’d love to have a 5 watt linux box that would be powerful enough to serve
as a DVR/Media Center… combine email/web browsing with broadcast TV/Radio. 
Probably need more than 512MB for that, but for sure the NSLU2, as useful to
me as it is (proxy/bittorrent/file server), can’t do what I’d like to
eventually do with low power.
 
From: nslu2-linux@... [mailto:nslu2-linux@...] On
Behalf Of Charles Lindsey
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 5:37 AM

To: nslu2-linux@...
Subject: [nslu2-linux] Re: "killer replacement for the NSLU2"
 
The Bad News is that the Sheeva is a giant overkill for many applications -
who needs 512MB RAM to control simple household devices?

[Sam Reed]

Seem's we've got a couple of people interested in bulk importing to the UK (me included)

Anyone else?



Sam

[M P-7]

On Thu, Apr 16, 2009 at 12:48 AM, Sam <sam@...> wrote:
>
>
> Seem's we've got a couple of people interested in bulk importing to the UK
> (me included)
>
> Anyone else?
>

"me too" :-)

Looks like a cool toy, might even replace a small Atom PC I use around here...

Michel, Windsor UK

[David Given]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

M P wrote:
[...]
> "me too" :-)

Not me, because <smug>mine arrived yesterday</smug>...

> Looks like a cool toy, might even replace a small Atom PC I use around here...

I've done some benchmarking with nbench and it looks like the SheevaPlug
is about half to two-thirds as fast as the average Atom. (Integer only,
of course; the Kirkwood doesn't have an FPU.) On the other hand, it uses
much less power and the price-per-MIP is going to be vastly lower...

http://www.cowlark.com/2009-04-15-sheevaplug

- --
┌─── [e-mail] ───── http://www.cowlark.com ─────
│
│ "All power corrupts, but we need electricity." --- Diana Wynne Jones,
│ _Archer's Goon_
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