Zarathustra[H]
Extremely [H]
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2000
- Messages
- 38,882
Hey all,
Thought I'd start talking about a little project I'm working on.
I've been using a little Asus Chromebox hacked to run Linux as a HTPC with Kodi for a while now, but I really want to start using discrete NVIDIA graphics instead for the prowess of their VDPAU implementation.
This leaves me with a perfect little low power machine, and nothing to do with it.
I also happen to have a Mini-ITX Haswell Core i5-4750T in a total overkill pfSense box. The lightbulb struck a few days ago. What if I could switch them?
The Core i5 with it's x16 slot would be great with a 720GT as a HTPC with Nvidia graphics, and the Asus Chromebox with its 2GB of RAM, 16GB SSD and a Haswell Celeron 2955U (Dual core 1.4Ghz) is more than capable of keeping up with home router loads at 150/150.
The biggest problem is that the Chromebox doesn't have very good Ethernet (just a single Realtek port, and Atheros Wifi) Firstly I never use Realtek Ethernet for anything other than low priority client applications. Secondly, with just one Ethernet port, I'm not going to be doing much in the way of routing.
That's when I came across the NISK300LAN Mini-PCIe dual Intel 210-IT Ethernet adapter.
I could just pull the Atheros WLAN card, insert this dual Intel mini-PCIe card and be off to the races!
There are a few issues though:
1.) Many of these mini-PCIe slots are WLAN only. I have no guarantee this will actually work, and the port in this mini-computer is able to detect and use the Ethernet ports when connected, and is able to provide enough power. (Tech specs I can find suggest that i210 chips use 0.81W each, but I have no idea how much power the Atheros WLAN card I am removing used.)
2.) There isn't much space to fit the extra ports. At first my plan was sawing a hole for it in the side of the Chrome Box, and just tightening the bracket over the hole, but after some checking of dimensions I don't think it will fit. (see the insides oft he Asus Chromebox here)
As far as the space issues go, I figure I can just take the bottom lid off the case, and design my own box for the bottom, 3D print it, and then install the dual LAN adapter back into it, and tighten it back on. Piece of cake.
The "will it actually work, be stable and be detected" issue is my only concern here. I've got my fingers crossed. If it works this could be a great low power, cheap and very capable pfSense router.
In its current duty the Chromebox uses about 5-6W at idle, as measured at the wall with my trusty Kill-A-Watt. I've never seen it go above 12W, but I only really use it for video playback.
If you shop around you can find one of these Asus Chromeboxes for ~$150 (or less if you are willing to take a chance on a used one) which is a fantastically low amount of money considering the hardware it comes with. They are very easy to hack into running other OS:es. The dual i210 mini-pcie NIC cost me $159, so a full fledged Haswell based low power pfSense router for a total of $309 is pretty damned good if you ask me. You are unlikely to match it unless you use existing and old parts, in which case you are going to use much more power.
I'm looking forward to this project. When my mini-PCIe dual NIC arrives I'll do a brief test to make sure it is detected, and then go about taking detailed measurements for my CAD model for 3D printing. I'll keep you guys posted.
I know it is a big risk that the NIC won't work in the Chromebox, but it is one I am willing to take for the awesome potential if it works, and the ability to spread the joy in confirming compatibility so others can do the same. If you google around, lots of people are looking to find a NUC with dual Intel NIC ports for something like this. If this works we've just found one. (it will just take a little hacking)
Thought I'd start talking about a little project I'm working on.
I've been using a little Asus Chromebox hacked to run Linux as a HTPC with Kodi for a while now, but I really want to start using discrete NVIDIA graphics instead for the prowess of their VDPAU implementation.
This leaves me with a perfect little low power machine, and nothing to do with it.
I also happen to have a Mini-ITX Haswell Core i5-4750T in a total overkill pfSense box. The lightbulb struck a few days ago. What if I could switch them?
The Core i5 with it's x16 slot would be great with a 720GT as a HTPC with Nvidia graphics, and the Asus Chromebox with its 2GB of RAM, 16GB SSD and a Haswell Celeron 2955U (Dual core 1.4Ghz) is more than capable of keeping up with home router loads at 150/150.
The biggest problem is that the Chromebox doesn't have very good Ethernet (just a single Realtek port, and Atheros Wifi) Firstly I never use Realtek Ethernet for anything other than low priority client applications. Secondly, with just one Ethernet port, I'm not going to be doing much in the way of routing.
That's when I came across the NISK300LAN Mini-PCIe dual Intel 210-IT Ethernet adapter.
I could just pull the Atheros WLAN card, insert this dual Intel mini-PCIe card and be off to the races!
There are a few issues though:
1.) Many of these mini-PCIe slots are WLAN only. I have no guarantee this will actually work, and the port in this mini-computer is able to detect and use the Ethernet ports when connected, and is able to provide enough power. (Tech specs I can find suggest that i210 chips use 0.81W each, but I have no idea how much power the Atheros WLAN card I am removing used.)
2.) There isn't much space to fit the extra ports. At first my plan was sawing a hole for it in the side of the Chrome Box, and just tightening the bracket over the hole, but after some checking of dimensions I don't think it will fit. (see the insides oft he Asus Chromebox here)
As far as the space issues go, I figure I can just take the bottom lid off the case, and design my own box for the bottom, 3D print it, and then install the dual LAN adapter back into it, and tighten it back on. Piece of cake.
The "will it actually work, be stable and be detected" issue is my only concern here. I've got my fingers crossed. If it works this could be a great low power, cheap and very capable pfSense router.
In its current duty the Chromebox uses about 5-6W at idle, as measured at the wall with my trusty Kill-A-Watt. I've never seen it go above 12W, but I only really use it for video playback.
If you shop around you can find one of these Asus Chromeboxes for ~$150 (or less if you are willing to take a chance on a used one) which is a fantastically low amount of money considering the hardware it comes with. They are very easy to hack into running other OS:es. The dual i210 mini-pcie NIC cost me $159, so a full fledged Haswell based low power pfSense router for a total of $309 is pretty damned good if you ask me. You are unlikely to match it unless you use existing and old parts, in which case you are going to use much more power.
I'm looking forward to this project. When my mini-PCIe dual NIC arrives I'll do a brief test to make sure it is detected, and then go about taking detailed measurements for my CAD model for 3D printing. I'll keep you guys posted.
I know it is a big risk that the NIC won't work in the Chromebox, but it is one I am willing to take for the awesome potential if it works, and the ability to spread the joy in confirming compatibility so others can do the same. If you google around, lots of people are looking to find a NUC with dual Intel NIC ports for something like this. If this works we've just found one. (it will just take a little hacking)