ITX PC Build

by
Annika Backstrom
in Uncategorized on 8 April 2003. #Computers

Just placed the orders for my new thin client setup. Here's the "skinny":

  • VIA EPIA-M10000
    • 1GHz C3 Processor
    • Mini-ITX form factor
    • RCA/S-Video Out
    • USB 2.0
    • Firewire
  • Casetronic 2699R
    • Approx. 12" x 11" x 2.5"
    • Front USB/Firewire/Audio
    • External power supply (fanless chassis)
  • Kingston 256MB PC2100 RAM
    • Note to self: next time, buy the PC2700 for $3 more
  • Linksys 10/100 Ethernet Card
  • LNE100TX Boot ROM
    • Allows for diskless booting over Ethernet
  • Happy Hacking Keyboard
    • 60 key layout
    • Approx. 12" x 4"

Notice that there's no mention of an optical or hard drive. I'm going to attempt a netboot setup, which would give me a super-small, super-quiet diskless workstation. One can only hope.

I decided go the route of a boot ROM behind a dual-NIC machine. I mulled over a flash disk module, but I'm more likely to encounter boot ROMs in the future, so I thought it best to try one now. (Though I think in practice they're pretty much the same. I may use one later to regain the single PCI slot.)

I'll probably blog any interesting updates, as well as revising my Linux Netboot project page.

Note: this page used to be filled with links, but as of 2024 they are all broken, so I have removed them.