Intel Desktop Board DN2800MT Build
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I am going to make a firewall with Intel Desktop Board DN2800MT plus a dual intel nic and use the box from a dead firebox x550e. I am going to try to use the LCD from the firebox and use the fans too, but i am going to dump the old power supply from the firebox because the lovely Intel board takes 12V DC ;D ;D
I have made this thread so that other people that are interested may follow my new firewall project.
The supplyers E.T.A. for my board is 2-3 weeks so here i have to be patient..
Please do not hesitate to drop me some recommendations and suggestions about this build!
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Does anyone know if there will be a performances loose if i user one of this:
PCI-E 1X Slot Riser Card Extender Extension Ribbon Flex Relocate Cable Ribbon
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PCI-E-1X-Slot-Riser-Card-Extender-Extension-Ribbon-Flex-Relocate-Cable-Ribbon-/300614117296?pt=FR_GH_Informatique_Composants_Cartes_SCSI_PCI_USB&hash=item45fdff67b0??????
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It might be more cost effective to use a D2500CC and buy a picopsu instead. Flexi
The D2500CC already comes with 2 x 82574L Intel GBe onboard so you won't need an additional PCIe adapter.
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It might be more cost effective to use a D2500CC and buy a picopsu instead. Flexi
The D2500CC already comes with 2 x 82574L Intel GBe onboard so you won't need an additional PCIe adapter.
Thanks for the suggestion Dreamslacker
Most say that i like that board alot, but i have allready ordered my DN2800MT, and i would need extra NIC's.
because i have a setup like this:
1 X WAN, 1 X LAN, 1 X WIFI and 1 X LAN2 for NAS -
Ah.. I see.
Well, you can get this flexible riser instead:
http://www.ebay.com.sg/itm/PCI-E-Extension-Cable-1X-16X-Riser-Extender-Card-/160616073698?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item256576c9e2Although the riser is still limited to x1 lane PCIe bandwidth, it does open up the doors for other NICs like a dual-NIC with PCIe x4 interface. The 250MB/s bandwidth of the x1 lane is about enough for 2 x GBe (not that the Atom would do that kind of bandwidth to begin with).
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Ah.. I see.
Well, you can get this flexible riser instead:
http://www.ebay.com.sg/itm/PCI-E-Extension-Cable-1X-16X-Riser-Extender-Card-/160616073698?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item256576c9e2Although the riser is still limited to x1 lane PCIe bandwidth, it does open up the doors for other NICs like a dual-NIC with PCIe x4 interface. The 250MB/s bandwidth of the x1 lane is about enough for 2 x GBe (not that the Atom would do that kind of bandwidth to begin with).
Thanks for the info DreamSlacker, i will get one of them to use with my Dual intel nic pci-e x4.
And i am looking forward to see what numbers we can get out of this setup when crunch the through output on this setup and see hos much power it it takes on idle and max power!And if Anyone have a pointer to how i can solve this little connection problem i would be must grateful:
I need to make the WG Firebox LCD connector that is 2.0 pitch mm to go into the 2.5 mm pitch on the MB. -
Is it 2mm pitch at both ends?
You may be able to remove the pins from the 2mm pitch connector block and put them into a similar 0.1" block. Fiddly though.
Steve
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Is it 2mm pitch at both ends?
You may be able to remove the pins from the 2mm pitch connector block and put them into a similar 0.1" block. Fiddly though.
Steve
Jupp it is 2mm in both ends of the cable, think i might get one of this and fiddle with that:
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/headers-pcb-receptacles/6706561/ NOt sure yet but will look around on RS's shop to see if i find something more convenient
But i am going to check out the LCD on my old x500 after work, because i like the LCD color in that one more than the x550e LCD.. ;D -
Found this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IDC-Cable-Mounting-Socket-Connector-26-Way-Pack-5-/300544056066?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item45f9d25b02Will give it a go and see if i can convert one end of the cable.
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That could work.
You are going to have to check the connections somehow though.Steve
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You will need to check the pin-out on the Firebox side. I'm almost certain that it doesn't line up pin for pin with the header on the Intel board. TBH, it is probably easier to just hack a cheapo HD44780 LCD off ebay into that case.
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You will need to check the pin-out on the Firebox side. I'm almost certain that it doesn't line up pin for pin with the header on the Intel board. TBH, it is probably easier to just hack a cheapo HD44780 LCD off ebay into that case.
Tnx again for the pointer to the LCD, you really know your hardware. ;)
IF the Firebox LCD give me alot of problems, i then will replace it with a cheap HD44780.
But will give it a goooood go to get the firebox one to work because i am trying to reuse as much hardware as i can, and i do like a good challenge when it comes to make things just work.. 8) -
Tnx again for the pointer to the LCD, you really know your hardware. ;)
IF the Firebox LCD give me alot of problems, i then will replace it with a cheap HD44780.
But will give it a goooood go to get the firebox one to work because i am trying to reuse as much hardware as i can, and i do like a good challenge when it comes to make things just work.. 8)It's probably going to be a tough attempt.. If anyone has the pinout for either the LCD or the original board, then it wouldn't be much of a problem. Otherwise, I reckon a logic analyzer to sniff on the pins would be needed.
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I'm on a similar route; I want to build a NAS with the DN2800MT. I'm very interested in your experiences. I haven't ordered yet as I need time to build it. I also need 3 x LAN: 1 x LAN, 1 x WAN and 1 for WiFi.
All dual port NIC's I came across have a x2 or a x4 card size. I believe these card would work in a x1 slot but it just doesn't fit.
I selected these PCIe risers to convert from the x1 slot on the board to the x2 for the card: http://www.ameri-rack.com/ARC1-PEX16_m.htmlBest regards, Joost
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I'm on a similar route; I want to build a NAS with the DN2800MT. I'm very interested in your experiences. I haven't ordered yet as I need time to build it. I also need 3 x LAN: 1 x LAN, 1 x WAN and 1 for WiFi.
All dual port NIC's I came across have a x2 or a x4 card size. I believe these card would work in a x1 slot but it just doesn't fit.
I selected these PCIe risers to convert from the x1 slot on the board to the x2 for the card: http://www.ameri-rack.com/ARC1-PEX16_m.htmlBest regards, Joost
Hi Joost
I am more than happy to share any experience with this MB, just keep an eye on this thread for i will update it with all the info i think is relevant.
But one thing you should think about is what Dreamslacker said is that with the 1x Pci-e bandwidth we are limited and that the atom cpu is not too great for shoving alot info… Just mentioning it because you said you are using it for a NAS.
8)
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Just to confirm, I have used the Intel PT dual port gigabit server adapter with PCIe x1 (x1 in x4 open back slot) before and it works just fine.
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It's probably going to be a tough attempt.. If anyone has the pinout for either the LCD or the original board, then it wouldn't be much of a problem. Otherwise, I reckon a logic analyzer to sniff on the pins would be needed.
After taking the LCD board of the 2nd board with the 4 buttons on, it shows 16 pins connector.
See pics attached, so here is the question, is there ANY chance that they are using a HD44780 controller and that i can use this schema to connect it?? http://lcdsmartie.sourceforge.net/circuits.htmWill look for and old PC with a parallel port and test.. Have nothing to loose ;D ;D
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is there ANY chance that they are using a HD44780 controller
Nope!
The keypad is just connected across 4 of the input lines on the parallel port.
Steve
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Nope!
Steve
Damn, so in you best opinion should i just give it up and get a cheap HD44780 LCD??
Would be like a small defeat, but i can take that.. -
Damn, so in you best opinion should i just give it up and get a cheap HD44780 LCD??
Would be like a small defeat, but i can take that..Probably the most cost effective method. A HD44780 LCD can be had for less than US$12 inclusive of shipping on ebay. i'm sure your time spent trying to reverse engineer the Firebox LCD would be worth more than that.
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I'd be surprised if it isn't a standard parallel port header. Everything else on the board is standard.
Give the firebox LCD a go first, you've got nothing to loose. ;)Steve
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After taking the LCD board of the 2nd board with the 4 buttons on, it shows 16 pins connector.
See pics attached, so here is the question, is there ANY chance that they are using a HD44780 controller and that i can use this schema to connect it?? http://lcdsmartie.sourceforge.net/circuits.htmWill look for and old PC with a parallel port and test.. Have nothing to loose ;D ;D
Do try mate… It looks like that could be a regular HD44780 LCD module that was previously piggybacked onto another controller (hence the need for a different protocol to communicate with the intermidiary mcu).
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Re-reading what I wrote it's not clear.
What I meant to say is that the 2nd board is almost purely passive. It serves only to add the keypad to the LCD module and provide a common mounting.
Removing the 2nd board simply leaves you with the same interface but no buttons.Steve
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Based on the picture of that LCD unit and the brand… I reckon that should be a KS0066U lcd. Do try running it with a parallel port and as a HD44780 LCD. It should work. Pins 15 & 16 will be the backlight pins if that's the case.
Update: Based on the driver used, that's definitely HD44780 capable. Just that the mapping was somewhat different when used with the Watchguard backplane and keypads.
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Thanks alot both of you for helping me with this. i will give it a go and if it do not work, at least i will have everything ready for a HD44780 LCD.
So now i am looking for a good wiring drawing to see if i need one or two potentiometers , some say one and some say two…
Dreamslacker do you know if the KS0066U is compatible with the HD44780 wiring? some sites say it is.
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Thanks alot both of you for helping me with this. i will give it a go and if it do not work, at least i will have everything ready for a HD44780 LCD.
So now i am looking for a good wiring drawing to see if i need one or two potentiometers , some say one and some say two…
Dreamslacker do you know if the KS0066U is compatible with the HD44780 wiring? some sites say it is.
Yes, it is. Seems that the LCD is from SDEC anyway so the connection to the parallel port should be similar to connecting a HD44780 LCD. The only caveat is that if they do not use a HD44780 controller, then you need to test with Linux/ pfSense and LCD proc with the sdeclcd.so files.
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I agree looking at the hardware it seems it should be HD44780 compatible. However it has a custom part number so it could be a special for Watchguard. Anyway it's an easy enough test to run and I can confirm that it doesn't work, at least not in 8-bit parallel mode with lcdproc 0.55. It's locked up my box now so I'm rebooting to test 4 bit mode.
Steve
Edit: I'm fairly sure it won't work since the backlight is controlled via the strobe bit, pin 1.
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I agree looking at the hardware it seems it should be HD44780 compatible. However it has a custom part number so it could be a special for Watchguard. Anyway it's an easy enough test to run and I can confirm that it doesn't work, at least not in 8-bit parallel mode with lcdproc 0.55. It's locked up my box now so I'm rebooting to test 4 bit mode.
Steve
Edit: I'm fairly sure it won't work since the backlight is controlled via the strobe bit, pin 1.
Thanks for this Steve, i am now just going to find a pc with a printer port so i can test it and as mentioned if not working i at least are ready for my HD44780 LCD
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Next on my list is to decide on is, wifi card, psu, storage device.
Here is what i am thinking:
Wifi:
Found a Intel WM3945ABG(wish it had N) when did go through my old laptop scrapyard, so thinking of using that with external antennas -> (http://www.broadbandstuff.co.uk/product_info.php?sku=Draytek_ANT-1005_-5dBi_Antennae(3_pack)&products_id=427)PSU:
Here i go three choices of what i found in my scrapyard
1 X 12V 3.36 AMP
1 X 12V 4 AMP Think i will start with this one and check how much it will draw of power and if i can change to the 12V 3.36AMP
1 X 16V 3 AMPStorager
Here i am not sure at all, i want to run snort and other things that might use some swap space.
Tried running snort on my current one with some rules and VERY quickly did not start saying not enough swap space.. SO i want to make sure that i have enough space for this.
So this leads me to thinking of not doing a embedded install and go down a install maybe on a laptop hdd or a small ssd. again NOT sure at all… -
Wifi:
Found a Intel WM3945ABG(wish it had N)Are you wanting a WiFi card that can act as an Access Point? Access Point mode is not supported by FreeBSD on many Intel WiFi cards.
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Wifi:
Found a Intel WM3945ABG(wish it had N)Are you wanting a WiFi card that can act as an Access Point? Access Point mode is not supported by FreeBSD on many Intel WiFi cards.
You hit the nail on its head, that is just what i want it for, guess it is back to the scrapyard and pick out all the Wifi cards and check the all and HOPE i find one that i can use..
Edit: Only found a bcm94312mcg… Now to look for info about using them as Access point with Freebsd
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That particular Intel card is the only one that does support AP mode. :)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AojFUXcbH0ROdHgwYkFHbkRUdV9hVWljVWl5SXkxbFE&hl=en#gid=0
Steve
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That particular Intel card is the only one that does support AP mode. :)
Interesting! The FreeBSD 8.1 man page for wpi (http://www.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=wpi&apropos=0&sektion=0&manpath=FreeBSD+8.1-RELEASE+and+Ports&arch=default&format=html) says wpi supports 3945 but the modes listed don't include hostap. I don't have one to test :)
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JimP vs man page, fight! ;)
Steve
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Will be completely my last exam tonight. I shall pop a pfSense usb livecd in my X60 laptop and check on the 3945 hostap mode.
@OP:
US$2.95 nets you a HD44780 2 x 16 LCD with free S&H:http://www.ebay.com.sg/itm/New-Character-LCD-Module-Display-LCM-1602-16X2-HD44780-Blue-Blacklight-/350499581767?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519b672f47
Just have to take note that the seller is located in China and the Chinese Lunar New Year is on this coming Sunday so most of them will not be working for about 3 to 4 days (factory workers get up to a month off because it takes some of them up to 12 days to get home from work via public transport).
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Will be completely my last exam tonight. I shall pop a pfSense usb livecd in my X60 laptop and check on the 3945 hostap mode.
@OP:
US$2.95 nets you a HD44780 2 x 16 LCD with free S&H:http://www.ebay.com.sg/itm/New-Character-LCD-Module-Display-LCM-1602-16X2-HD44780-Blue-Blacklight-/350499581767?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519b672f47
Just have to take note that the seller is located in China and the Chinese Lunar New Year is on this coming Sunday so most of them will not be working for about 3 to 4 days (factory workers get up to a month off because it takes some of them up to 12 days to get home from work via public transport).
Damn, 12 days to get home… I am so glad that i am living where i live, takes me only 50 min..
IN regards to the hostap mode, i will get it tested when i get this build done.
So just to confirm, when they say on a ebay listing that it is KS0066U (Equivalent Hitachi HD44780 Controller), i can use that as it was a HD44780 and use the same connection schematics?? If so i will order this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LCD-16x2-Blue-White-HD44780-equivalent-Display-Module-/110802743481?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item19cc5bb0b9
UK Stock and quick delivery ;D -
@ stephenw10
Do you think it would be hard to make a small build with 2 LED's to indicate "armed green/red" and "alarm/ from snort/ipblocker green/read" that i can connect to the com2 header and have a software to control like you armed software for x500?? I can programing for Windows but have NOOOO clue for freebsd.. Maybe its time to learn 8)
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Damn, 12 days to get home… I am so glad that i am living where i live, takes me only 50 min..
IN regards to the hostap mode, i will get it tested when i get this build done.
So just to confirm, when they say on a ebay listing that it is KS0066U (Equivalent Hitachi HD44780 Controller), i can use that as it was a HD44780 and use the same connection schematics?? If so i will order this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LCD-16x2-Blue-White-HD44780-equivalent-Display-Module-/110802743481?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item19cc5bb0b9
UK Stock and quick delivery ;DYes. KS0066U is identical in function to HD44780 (the difference lies in the speed of the controllers in the past). You can get that if it ships faster, I just picked the cheapest option. ;D
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It's not hard to make a circuit to do that. There are many, many examples out there on the net.
Traditionally it far easier to do this sort of thing via the parallel port though.
Check the board specs, you may already have some led outputs available that can be programmed. The power and standby LEDs are usually driven from the superIO chip for example.
There are some clever programs for using the three LEDs from a keyboard, still using the keyboard connector.If you want to use the com port you will need some sort of interface chip.
Steve
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It's not hard to make a circuit to do that. There are many, many examples out there on the net.
Traditionally it far easier to do this sort of thing via the parallel port though.
Check the board specs, you may already have some led outputs available that can be programmed. The power and standby LEDs are usually driven from the superIO chip for example.
There are some clever programs for using the three LEDs from a keyboard, still using the keyboard connector.If you want to use the com port you will need some sort of interface chip.
Steve
Tnx, sound like i should look for some Freebsd apps that can control my power and HD LED.. If i find this i might use
them with some clever AND, NAND and OR gates for the desired green/red LED control
