New Alix board for 2013

phil.davis

This post http://forum.pfsense.org/index.php/topic,59465.msg320059.html#msg320059 mentions:

ill probably wait for the alix upgrade which should be out before mid 2013 with 4 realtek gigabit nics, 2-4gb ddr3 ram, amd 1ghz dual core processor, msata slot, sd slot with same form factor as current alix coz they dont heat up much plus no moving parts so its completely silent

I searched a bit for information about this, but came up with nothing. The Alix hardware has been very reliable for me, but I would love more memory (and the other extras above are also good). I am happy to hold off purchasing other non-Alix options if something new is really coming soon.
Does anyone have some real information about new Alix hardware in 2013?

xbipin

i asked the engineer and creator of alix itself, he said this

apu = AMD 1 GHz dual core, 2 or 4 GB DDR3, 3 RTL8111E Gigabit Ethernet,
2 miniPCI express, 1 m-SATA SSD, 1 SD card connected via USB, same
form factor as alix2d13\. Expected ~ Q1 2013.

USB 2.0\. AMD doesn't have USB 3.0 support in their chipset yet, and I don't want to add an external controller
for cost and power reasons.

the Q1 has been shifted to Q2 as he mentioned the gerber file was just recently sent to manufacturer, around 2 weeks back

Clear-Pixel

Very exciting to see they are Finely updating the old Model-T. Based on the new boards hardware configuration it should be able to do a full liveCD install. What may kill it from a purchasing stand point though is price, we shall find out soon enough.

Nadrek

Full or half size Mini-PCIe?

xbipin

no idea on that

pvoigt

Well, I am a very satisfied ALIX.2D13 user and I would like to be kept up to date on this topic. Could this thread be made sticky?

Peter

9k6

This looks like the phantom I've been hunting all evening. Hurry up, Alix! ;D

diablo266

This is fantastic news, i've been looking for reasonably priced modern alternatives to the alix for a while now. It's been looking like a mini itx atom build is the best bet. Can't wait for this to be released, and hopefully in the sub $200 range.

the_greenest_noob

well, looks like this is the answer to my questions regarding hw and workloads…. ;D hope to see them in the wild soon.

bblacey

Anyone have more insight into the release timeframe for the new ALIX HW?

valnar

Realtek may kill the deal for me.

phil.davis

@bblacey:

Anyone have more insight into the release timeframe for the new ALIX HW?

In March 2013 I had some feedback from Netgate - they thought the end of Q2 or during Q3 (but no promises of course). I guess those "Q" references are to calendar year 2013, thus sometime from late June 2013 to September 2013. I haven't asked for an update - probably no point doing that until late June.

ayah

Would it really kill them to use an intel nic like an i350-am4? (quad port)

stephenw10

It would probably double the price, maybe more! ;)

Steve

ayah

@stephenw10:

It would probably double the price, maybe more! ;)

Steve

They could always go low end and run i210's.

phil.davis

Q2 2013 is finished, so I asked for an update:

Board is still in debug, and the cooling solution also needs more work. Please be patient.
Best regards,
Pascal Dornier

So there is no timeframe for production yet. But good to know Pascal of PC Engines doesn't release dodgy hardware. When it is ready it should work reliably.

torontob

Has manufacturing started yet?
I just ordered 10 units of 2d13 and wish I knew this was coming….

mircsicz

THX for keeping us up2date phil…

Greetz
Mircsicz

I wouldn't make any plans on this prior to CY2014.

Pascal could surprise us all, but the reality is that it's July, and the board is still in bring-up.

xbipin

here is the new alix

http://www.pcengines.ch/apu.htm