[Leaplist] Backup to external USB md RAID 1/5?

[Bryan J. Smith]

Jason Boxman wrote:  
> I ended up there myself.  Unfortunately, you need to chain USB2
> enclosures off of it.

Plus it's an aged Intel IXP (XScale microcontroller with Network
Processor Engines, NPEs).  Great for a host based adapter (HBA) about
2-3 years ago.  But not good as a general microprocessor doing OS, plus
NIC plus storage.

At the price for many of these units, you can build a far more powerful
Mini-ITX that is even smaller than MicroATX.  Intel has introduced such
more recently with their fixed BGA Socket-479 solutions (processor
soldier to board) at $60, undercutting ViA's slower options in price.

> I think I'm still a fan of commodity PC harware using Bryan's mATX
> mainboard suggestion and the really small cases.

I choose MicroATX because it's the most commodity priced solution.

But Mini-ITX is an even smaller option, at a favorable price-point
compared to these "less than adequate" microcontroller solutions.  You
have AMD Geode NX (embedded Athlon), Intel Yonah (embedded Core
Solo/Duo) and ViA C7 options for similar prices with a lot more power.



-- 
Bryan J  Smith              Professional, Technical Annoyance
mailto:b.j.smith at ieee.org  http://www.linkedin.com/in/bjsmith
-------------------------------------------------------------
           Fission Power:  An Inconvenient Solution