PogoPlug

I've been working with embedded systems throughout my career. Either in the form of some little Z80 processor in a vt100 compatible terminal, up to embedded PPC processors in a Infiniband Fabric used for industrial applications. The Linux revolution helped the embedded computer business significantly. The creation of BusyBox, SquashFS, and a kernel build process that is fairly cpu-architecture agnostic, has enabled Linux to make a significant impact to embedded systems manufacturers. Not just in the form of FOSS, but also in respect to faster-time-to-market with new ideas, and a much lower TCO for the end user. Consider that in 2010 you could purchase a Beagle Board, a 3" x 3" Linux embedded system for $150. A couple of years ago, I bought a gumstix embedded Linux system, with accessories for around $250. It ran an ARM version of Linux kernel, BusyBox for all the system-utils, and lightweight applications of SSHD, WebServer, shell, etc. Their developer site provided complete root kits for free, and you could (with some small effort), roll your own distribution with your own applications. I did just that. It made me realize that with the synergy of virutalization, and embedded systems, we are at the forefront of a plethora of new computer based "appliances" that have the potential of replacing large, costly, and energy-inefficient computer systems in data centers throughout. These appliances have started small and have generally been hobbyist toys.

The PogoPlug is one such example. An embedded Linux, with USB, Gb-Ether, WiFi, along with well-written software, all for around $100, and now you have a OS neutral File Server, securely accessible from the Dirty-Net, that can be used by your wifi gear running MS, Linux, OSx, Android, ... whatever. The external hard disk is extra, something like a 1TB USB External drive should run you about $100.

Here's the PogoPlug Website: http://www.pogoplug.com

I had mentioned a relationship between virtual and embedded systems. Let me introduce you to SuSE Studio. I was quite impressed when I saw this, sometime last year, and I still am. The site allows you to build a software "appliance". You create your appliance, then you can specify the target distribution format in which to write your appliance. You could burn it to a live-run cdrom image, with option to install to hard drive. You can generate a vmware image, or xen image. You could write the image to a bootable usb stick. See the relationship? The best part is that you can test your image directly on the suse studio website. I'd love to see them FOSS the website itself, show us all the code that was created to perform all these feats of magic.

Imagine that you can now create DNS, HTTP, NFS, Tomcat, JBoss, application servers that you can just boot from a live-run cd disk? You can also just write the image to a Compact Flash, that you plug into your embedded Linux "board". Companies that use ATCA gear, such as telecommunications, would just love it. One shop I worked at, we did just that. We created a Linux distribution that ran from the CF, and totally eliminated the hard drive that was on the blade. The possibilities are limitless.