SFF computers
Searching for proper hardware to build a silent, energy-efficient home server, I’ve come across many types of SFF (small form-factor) computers. One of the more common form-factors is the mini-ITX standard. For a while I was looking at building my own, but it turned out that it was difficult to get all the components in the Netherlands. Importing them would add significantly to the cost and might make it difficult to use the warranty if needed. So I kept looking closer to home and eventually found the Dutch distributor for the eBox line of micro computers. They offer a range of products that’s even smaller than mini-ITX. I ordered one of the larger ones for my own home, because I needed it to have 2 LAN ports, to be able to function reliably as a router. I also ordered the smallest one they have, for testing. Its outer dimensions only measure 11.5 x 11.5 x 3.5 cm. That leaves just enough space inside to fit in either a mini-PCI wifi card or a 2.5″ laptop harddrive.
I see a lot of possibilities with these small machines. With computers taking on more and more tasks in the house, we’ll see more of them popping up in the living room too. Silent and small computers certainly are an advantage there. And with the rising energy prices, energy-efficient machines are also a plus, especially those performings tasks that require them to be on continuously.
My first experiments with these machines focus on using them as small, linux-driven servers for homes and small offices. Eventually I also want to try building a compact desktop system, capable of performing light tasks such as web browsing and email. The smallest eBox systems support the VESA mounting standard, meaning it is possible to mount them to the back of certain types of LCD monitors. That would certainly make an appealing setup for a small-footprint, secondary computer, to be put whereever you may feel the need to look something up quickly.