Dell Optiplex FX160 for 2.0 Appliance?

[kapara]

Was wondering if anyone has tested the Dell FX160 as an appliance (2.0) or accesspoint since it can also have wifi…...  You can also put in an HDas some models come with an HD. Has 1 or 2 (sata 2) connectors......read about the sata part but not sure about how many.

Dell Optilex Refurb also comes with a 3yr NBD onsite warranty included! @ 139.00 It almost seems too good to be true!

Specs:

System Price : $139.00

---

Operating System
Novell SUSE Linux Embedded

Memory
512 MB DDR2 NON-ECC SDRAM 800MHz (1 DIMM)

Hard Disk Drive
1 GB NVRAM Flash Memory

Scratch & Dent
Scratch & Dent

Processor
Processor: Intel Atom 230 Single Core Processor (1.6GHz, 512K L2 cache, 533MHz FSB)

Base
OptiPlex FX160 Single Core Tiny Desktop

Software Upgrade
No Energy Smart Selected

Hardware Upgrade
Bezel
125V Power Cord
No Hard Drive
Quiet Key Keyboard
No Internal Speaker
USB Optical two button mouse

More Specs:

Intel Atom dual core processor (available early 2009)
Intel Atom single core processor
  Operating Systems 
Genuine Windows Vista  Business 32-Bit
Genuine Windows Vista  Business with Downgrade Rights Service to Windows  XP Professional
Genuine Windows Vista  Home Basic 32-Bit
nSeries FreeDOSTM 
  Memory 
Up to two DIMM slots; Non-ECC single channel 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM, supporting up to 4GB5
Note: Maximum speed supported to 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
  Network Interface 
Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet (Broadcom LOM); Optional Dell Wireless 1397 802.11BG Half Mini-PCIe card
  Storage 
2.5" Up to 160GB1 HDD (7200 RPM)
20GB Ultra Performance
64GB Solid State Drive
  Chassis 
Tiny Desktop

Number of Bays
None
Dimensions
Weight: 4.6lbs/2.09kg
Height: 9.02"/22.9cm
Width: 1.85"/4.7cm
Depth: 8.86"22.5cm
Slots
None
Optional Mounting Brackets
Dell Wall/Under-desk Mount, Dell Monitor Mount

[Cry Havok]

You may not get drivers for the Wireless for anything but Windows and Linux.  The Broadcom chipset (BCM5764M) does not appear to have drivers in FreeBSD.  You'll need to check with Broadcom to see if they have drivers.  This means you'll almost certainly need to use the NDIS wrappers to get it working and I'm not sure how simple that is in pfSense - you'll want to read the Wiki and search the forum.

[kapara]

Even if I don't use the wireless (Possibly install other wireless card) As an appliance it does look very sleek and a complete system with 3 yr NBD warranty as an appliance in 2.0 (Possible VOIP or DNS appliance based on pfSense)  Maybe I will buy one and test….....

[drees]

Only one NIC?

[kapara]

Yes…one NIC but 2.0 is supposed to work with one NIC as an appliance.....Maybe you could use USB NIC...though I have heard bad things about using USB NIC's.....Price is very nice though.....

[drees]

Yeah, price is great - I guess if you can plug it into a VLAN switch with 1 NIC it would be very good for most applications.

Being a good deal cheaper than an ALIX box is nice - any idea how much power it draws?

[kapara]

From the website:

OptiPlex Gets Green
Dell is committed to being the greenest PC Company on the planet and the OptiPlex FX160 delivers, smart energy choices:

* Intel  AtomTM  processors benefit from new 45 nm low-power micro-architecture process, which makes the processor energy-efficient and provide excellent single application productivity
    * Help reduce power consumption—and cost— with Dell's integrated power supply, which is up to 87% efficient
    * Designed to meet Energy Star and EPEAT-Gold certifications with select hard drive configurations

[Cry Havok]

You're still missing the point - the onboard Broadcom NIC has no FreeBSD driver, it won't work with pfSense.

[kapara]

Oh…I thought you were referring to the wireless one...Thanks for crushing my hopes and dreams Cry Havok.... :'(

;D