asterisk users - Aug 2008 - OT - Which rackable case for mini-ITX boards ?

Hi,

Though this is a bit off-topic on this list, I think this might interest
those looking to build Asterisk appliances out of mini-ITX boards such as
http://www.pcengines.ch/alix1c.htm.

As Intel's Atom is becoming available on a large scale, I'm feeling
rackable
mini-ITX cases with PCI/PCIe expansion slot(s) are comparatively still
expensive and uneasy to find.
The only manufacturer I'm aware of is Travla (see
http://www.pcengines.ch/alix1c.htm).
So at the moment, I'm inclined to still base our solutions with standard
rackable servers (HP, Dell, ...) instead of less power hungry machines.

Any comment on that ?

Regards
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On Sat, 23 Aug 2008, Olivier wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Though this is a bit off-topic on this list, I think this might interest
> those looking to build Asterisk appliances out of mini-ITX boards such as
> http://www.pcengines.ch/alix1c.htm.
>
> As Intel's Atom is becoming available on a large scale, I'm feeling
rackable
> mini-ITX cases with PCI/PCIe expansion slot(s) are comparatively still
> expensive and uneasy to find.
> The only manufacturer I'm aware of is Travla (see
> http://www.pcengines.ch/alix1c.htm).
> So at the moment, I'm inclined to still base our solutions with
standard
> rackable servers (HP, Dell, ...) instead of less power hungry machines.
>
> Any comment on that ?
What processor do you need? ie. how many extensions/calls/PCI interface 
cards - and additional back-end stuff like MySQL, AGI, etc.... ?

And what country are you in (although I'm guessing switzerland from those 
domains).

I've built many with this combo: (from the UK, so you might be OK ordering 
from .ch, or find a local supplier)

http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=10902

+ PSU + VIA CN1300 mobo + 1 PCI card...

230mm deep, so fits into small office "comms cabinets" rather than
needing
full racks, however I limit the CN1300's to 120 extensions - you might 
need more, or have other stuff like MySQL, etc. running so might want a 
beefier processor... (I don't run MySQL, or any other fancy AGI, etc. and 
I do build a custom system, kernel & apps. targetted at the processor 
which runs entirely in RAM)

I've also used this:

   http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=10403

which can take 2 PCI cards via a riser, but I wasn't happy with it's 
performance - tried both Digium TDM400 ISDN30 cards at the same time, but 
the ISDN card kept on losing IRQs and due to time contraints, never had 
the time to get to the bottom of it.

Gordon

Olivier wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Though this is a bit off-topic on this list, I think this might 
> interest those looking to build Asterisk appliances out of mini-ITX 
> boards such as http://www.pcengines.ch/alix1c.htm.
If you're interested in the ALIX type boards, there is a reseller in 
Australia that offers a rack-mount option.  It's designed to house two 
of the boards, though it's not compulsorary.  See 
http://www.yawarra.com.au.  The products that would probably be of 
interest would be 
http://www.yawarra.com.au/product.php?productCode=HW-NT48-R and 
http://www.yawarra.com.au/product.php?productCode=HW-AX22-R.

Most Asterisk users would be more interested in the first option I'm 
guessing.  It's not the ALIX board - it's the net5501.  The reason it 
would most likely be of more interest is that it has a PCI slot 
available to it.

I'll add that I'm not affiliated with Yawarra in any way other than 
having been a satisfied customer in the past.  I must also add that 
whilst I've got an ALIX box myself, I /haven't/ used it as an Asterisk 
server - mine is a router.