Project Directive: Building an Industrial PC

Project Directive

This directive outlines the purpose and requirements of the computer to be built in the near future.

Purpose of the Product

The machine will serve various purposes as stated below.

1. Internet Gateway: The machine will be running almost always with constant wired or wireless connection to the Internet. The machine will have a gateway capability to connect other machines to the Internet via an Ethernet switch or wireless connection.
   
2. Network Server: The machine will store and serve files (ex. pictures, music, movies, etc.) to clients both on private network and the Internet. However, the served files shall be stored and retrieved from an external storage device connected via USB, Firewire or eSATA.
   
3. Internet Entertainment: The machine may be casually used to browse the Internet, hang out in social networks, read news, check Web mail and engage in text/voice/video conversation with others on the Internet.
   
4. Multimedia Player: The machine will be able to play music, Internet radio and movies on stereo system, TV or monitor. It may be optionally controlled by a remote controller, wireless keyboard or mouse.
   
5. Time-consuming Computations: The machine will optionally perform various computational tasks such as compilation of executable codes, encryption, decryption, statistical analysis and conversion of data.
   

Hardware Requirements

The machine shall occupy minimal space, and operate quietly and energy-efficiently.

1. Its circuit board will be in Pico-ITX (100x72mm), Nano-ITX (120x120mm), Mini-ITX (170x170mm), or similarly compact form.
   
2. The CPU will be Mobile AMD Sempron, VIA Nano or Intel Atom. In order to maintain quiet operation, it is recommended that the CPU have no fan attached.
   
3. At least 256MB of volatile memory is required. SODIMM-type memory is recommended.
   
4. Non-volatile memory will take the form of compact flash, Solid-State Drive or 2.5 inch hard drive. At least 256MB of non-volatile memory is required. Additional storage will be attached externally through USB, Firewire or eSATA ports.
   
5. The machine will have a minimum number of external connectors such as one PS/2, VGA, S-Video, audio in/out, LAN and at least 2 USB ports. No serial or parallel port is required.
   
6. The machine will contain no floppy or CD-ROM drive.
   

Software Requirements

The primary operating system will be Linux. Optionally, Windows XP or Windows Vista will be installed as a dual-boot option.

1. The non-volatile memory storage in the system will store a functional boot loader that can boot the system from internal storage, external storage attached via USB/Firewire/eSATA, or network storage via BOOTP/TFTP.
   
2. It is optional but recommended for the internal storage to contain a functional Linux operating system that meets the project purposes stated above. No private user-specific information shall be stored. For stability and data integrity, it is also recommended to write-protect the operating system and disable modification for a long period of time. Periodically (monthly, quarterly, every 4 months, or semianually), the whole operating system will be unlocked, updated with newer versions, and optimized with new settings.
   
3. If Windows operating system is to be used, it will be installed on a USB hard drive and started by the boot loader.
   
4. All variable/extraneous settings and data will be stored externally on a USB flash or USB hard drive.
   
5. The machine should allow remote logins by local computers via SSH, HTTP, VNC or Remote Desktop sessions.
   

Candidate Parts

• Asus Eee Box
  
  
• HP Compaq t5730 Thin Client - KD219AT#ABA
  
  
• VIA ARTiGO Builder Kit inspired by Pico ITX with 1GB SODIMM Memory Free!
  
• ECS PMI8M (2.0) Motherboard CPU Bundle - Intel Socket 479, Mini-ITX, Intel 852GM Chipset, Intel Celeron M 1Ghz Processor On-Board
  
• Mini Itx Via CN700 8237R+ DDR2 by MSI
  
• SolidLogic T-3310 Mini-ITX System
  
• Jetway J7F2WE1G2E