There are a whole lot of good reasons for wanting to have a server sitting at the centre of a home notework so BUBBA, a complete Linux-based home mini-server from Swedish outfit eXcito, might have some appeal, not least because the two versions available look to be reasonably priced.
One, with 250GB hard disk, goes out for €405 (£276); the other, with 80GB hard disk, is €353 (£240). Prices include delivery (€35/£24) to the UK. We think that VAT is also included but were unable to confirm that without buying a box so are awaiting email from Excito.
The box - measuring just 184 x 114 x 43 mm and available in cream or blue - runs the Debian free version of Linux on a 2.6 core and is said to be ultra quiet because it uses no fans.
It's reckoned to act as a printer server (supporting "all major brands" of USB printer), a file server (HTTP, SAMBA, FTP, SFTP), an Apache web server, a download manager (HTTP, FTP) and a mail server - using Dovecot to support IMAP and IMAPS and Fetchmail to bring down mail from POP or IMAP accounts.
Click for larger images
Annoyingly, the hardware spec on eXcito's site leaves a considerable number of questions unanswered.
We don't know anything about the box's CPU, motherboard or RAM, though we are told the following:
Hard disk -
3.5in 5400/7200 rpm IDE - 80GB or 250GB
LAN/WAN standards - IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-TX; IEEE 802.3 10BASE-T
Data transfer rate - 100Mbps/10Mbps
Sockets - Ethernet; USB 2.0 type A for printer or memory stick connection; USB 2.0 type B for PC
Dimensions - 184 x 114 x 43 mm
Weight - 1700g
Noise - < 20 dB in active mode, 0 dB when idle
Power - < 10 W in active mode, < 2W when idle
LAN/WAN standards - IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-TX; IEEE 802.3 10BASE-T
Data transfer rate - 100Mbps/10Mbps
Sockets - Ethernet; USB 2.0 type A for printer or memory stick connection; USB 2.0 type B for PC
Dimensions - 184 x 114 x 43 mm
Weight - 1700g
Noise - < 20 dB in active mode, 0 dB when idle
Power - < 10 W in active mode, < 2W when idle
Ignoring what we don't know about the hardware, our first reaction is that gigabit Ethernet would have been a far better and faster option than 100BaseT. Further, we reckon that even the 250GB version has too little space for use in this digital-media age as a file-server and backup location.
We've asked eXcito whether it has plans for versions with gigabit networking and bigger hard disks and will let you know its response, along with anything else we find out.
In the interim, you can add further questions to our list - or just share your thoughts - by commenting to this thread in the HEXUS.lifestyle.news forum.
Update - August 22, 13:50
eXcito's Tor Krill got back to us this afternoon with answers that fill some of the blanks.
Tor said,
We were aware that this
information hasn't been available on our homepage but we have
now updated the homepage
and our other information material, including the product
flyer [151KB
PDF file - click to view, right-click to download - Ed].
Bubba is our own design. It is based on a 200MHz ARM9 CPU (Atmel's AT91RM9200) and has 64MByte of SDRAM. Since it is completely networked it has no graphics. It has no FireWire but does have one USB device and one USB host connector.
The print server is based on CUPS and Samba. Since we only have USB connectivity we only support USB printers that implements the USB print class. This, however is to our knowledge, all major brands.
We have both CUPS and Samba set up to use raw print queues and hence only forward data to the printer with minimal intervention. This in turn means that the end user uses the Samba exported printer and installs this device driver locally. We have yet not had any problems with this setup. Of course, if you have a low-budget Win-printer it most likely won't work.
We have in our pipeline - however a bit away - a new platform with, among other things, gigabit Ethernet, more memory and a faster (400-500MHz) CPU .
Closer yet is a mini version of Bubba. Same functionality but based on a 2.5in disk. (Unfortunately, the storage capacity will, of course, be smaller).
When we developed Bubba, the correct choice of hard disk was around 250GB. We most likely will follow the price development here and we will upgrade this offer with bigger disks.
We unfortunately cannot support users that want to replace their hard disks. One reason for this is that connectors on normal 3.5in disks seem not to be standardized. Not all disks will fit into our casing and connectors.
However, it is possible to change disks but the warranty will, of course, be voided. We do provide a downloadable install image for reinstall purposes. This image is placed on a USB stick/disk. This device is then used to boot Bubba. The image will then do a clean, fully-automated, base install, including partitioning etc of Bubba on the attached disk.
Regarding your question about prices. All prices when sold within EU are with VAT included. We of course offer quotes, without VAT, to any business interested.
Bubba is our own design. It is based on a 200MHz ARM9 CPU (Atmel's AT91RM9200) and has 64MByte of SDRAM. Since it is completely networked it has no graphics. It has no FireWire but does have one USB device and one USB host connector.
The print server is based on CUPS and Samba. Since we only have USB connectivity we only support USB printers that implements the USB print class. This, however is to our knowledge, all major brands.
We have both CUPS and Samba set up to use raw print queues and hence only forward data to the printer with minimal intervention. This in turn means that the end user uses the Samba exported printer and installs this device driver locally. We have yet not had any problems with this setup. Of course, if you have a low-budget Win-printer it most likely won't work.
We have in our pipeline - however a bit away - a new platform with, among other things, gigabit Ethernet, more memory and a faster (400-500MHz) CPU .
Closer yet is a mini version of Bubba. Same functionality but based on a 2.5in disk. (Unfortunately, the storage capacity will, of course, be smaller).
When we developed Bubba, the correct choice of hard disk was around 250GB. We most likely will follow the price development here and we will upgrade this offer with bigger disks.
We unfortunately cannot support users that want to replace their hard disks. One reason for this is that connectors on normal 3.5in disks seem not to be standardized. Not all disks will fit into our casing and connectors.
However, it is possible to change disks but the warranty will, of course, be voided. We do provide a downloadable install image for reinstall purposes. This image is placed on a USB stick/disk. This device is then used to boot Bubba. The image will then do a clean, fully-automated, base install, including partitioning etc of Bubba on the attached disk.
Regarding your question about prices. All prices when sold within EU are with VAT included. We of course offer quotes, without VAT, to any business interested.
HEXUS.links
HEXUS.community :: discussion thread about this articleExternal.links
eXcito - BUBBA home pageeXcito - BUBBA downloads page (including manual)
