Netgate Discussion Forum
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Search
    • Register
    • Login

    New Alix board for 2013

    Hardware
    69
    265
    125546
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • P
      phil.davis
      last edited by

      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?

      As the Greek philosopher Isosceles used to say, "There are 3 sides to every triangle."
      If I helped you, then help someone else - buy someone a gift from the INF catalog http://secure.inf.org/gifts/usd/

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • X
        xbipin
        last edited by

        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

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • C
          Clear-Pixel
          last edited by

          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.

          HP EliteBook 2530p Laptop - Core2 Duo SL9600 @ 2.13Ghz - 4 GB Ram -128GB SSD
          Atheros Mini PCI-E as Access Point (AR5BXB63H/AR5007EG/AR2425)
          Single Ethernet Port - VLAN
          Cisco SG300 10-port Gigabit Managed Switch
          Cisco DPC3008 Cable Modem  30/4 Mbps
          Pfsense 2.1-RELEASE (amd64)
          –------------------------------------------------------------
          Total Network Power Consumption - 29 Watts

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • N
            Nadrek
            last edited by

            Full or half size Mini-PCIe?

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • X
              xbipin
              last edited by

              no idea on that

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • P
                pvoigt
                last edited by

                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

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • 9
                  9k6
                  last edited by

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

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • D
                    diablo266
                    last edited by

                    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.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • T
                      the_greenest_noob
                      last edited by

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

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • B
                        bblacey
                        last edited by

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

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • valnarV
                          valnar
                          last edited by

                          Realtek may kill the deal for me.

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • P
                            phil.davis
                            last edited by

                            @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.

                            As the Greek philosopher Isosceles used to say, "There are 3 sides to every triangle."
                            If I helped you, then help someone else - buy someone a gift from the INF catalog http://secure.inf.org/gifts/usd/

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • A
                              ayah
                              last edited by

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

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • stephenw10S
                                stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                last edited by

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

                                Steve

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • A
                                  ayah
                                  last edited by

                                  @stephenw10:

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

                                  Steve

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

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • P
                                    phil.davis
                                    last edited by

                                    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.

                                    As the Greek philosopher Isosceles used to say, "There are 3 sides to every triangle."
                                    If I helped you, then help someone else - buy someone a gift from the INF catalog http://secure.inf.org/gifts/usd/

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • T
                                      torontob
                                      last edited by

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

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • M
                                        mircsicz
                                        last edited by

                                        THX for keeping us up2date phil…

                                        Greetz
                                        Mircsicz

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • ?
                                          Guest
                                          last edited by

                                          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.

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • X
                                            xbipin
                                            last edited by

                                            here is the new alix

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

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                            • stephenw10S
                                              stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                              last edited by

                                              Looks interesting.
                                              USB connected SD for boot media is a little disappointing but perhaps not a problem. I await some throughput figures.  :)

                                              Steve

                                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                              • X
                                                xbipin
                                                last edited by

                                                main thing is msata disk connector, once u use that sd card is not important

                                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                • D
                                                  darkmage
                                                  last edited by

                                                  So excited to get one, can I ask how to get a customer sample? :)

                                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                  • X
                                                    xbipin
                                                    last edited by

                                                    email Pascal Dornier directly, hes the person who created this beast

                                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                    • D
                                                      darkmage
                                                      last edited by

                                                      Thanks, where can I get Pascal Dornier's mail address?  :o

                                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                      • stephenw10S
                                                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                                        last edited by

                                                        I really don't think that hundreds of emails asking for samples is going to help get this out any quicker.  ;)

                                                        Steve

                                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                        • D
                                                          darkmage
                                                          last edited by

                                                          yes, this is just the dream solution board, so hungry to get one  :P

                                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                          • X
                                                            xbipin
                                                            last edited by

                                                            just contact them through the website, i think the email id is also listed there

                                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                            • G
                                                              Gradius
                                                              last edited by

                                                              What a cute MB !

                                                              How many users it can serve?

                                                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                              • T
                                                                tirsojrp
                                                                last edited by

                                                                Does anyone know the price?

                                                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                • X
                                                                  xbipin
                                                                  last edited by

                                                                  it should be in the $125 to $150 range

                                                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                  • S
                                                                    senser
                                                                    last edited by

                                                                    Looks like it fits into the old enclosures (the alix.2 ones).

                                                                    We use the mighty pf, we cannot be fooled.

                                                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                    • T
                                                                      torontob
                                                                      last edited by

                                                                      I think that's a little bit steep. Maybe same price to replace old board would be a better choice. If units are installed on clients site and used for minor traffic then old units do just fine.

                                                                      If plan is to not sell many of this (which I don't see why) then yeah higher price would be better. However, it's probably now cheaper to make the newer model than it is to make the older model.

                                                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                      • stephenw10S
                                                                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                                                        last edited by

                                                                        If true the ability to fit old enclosures is great. That's going to help system builders and people upgrading significantly.  :)

                                                                        Steve

                                                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                        • dotdashD
                                                                          dotdash
                                                                          last edited by

                                                                          @torontob:

                                                                          I think that's a little bit steep. Maybe same price to replace old board would be a better choice. If units are installed on clients site and used for minor traffic then old units do just fine.

                                                                          If plan is to not sell many of this (which I don't see why) then yeah higher price would be better. However, it's probably now cheaper to make the newer model than it is to make the older model.

                                                                          Um, $125-150 is pretty close to the street price of current Alix boards. And this has GB nics. Right now if you want to get a low power box with gig ports you need to get something like a 6501, which is twice the price. I predict they will sell well. Even if they come in at $175, I'd take one over a 2D13 every time.

                                                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                          • B
                                                                            bennyc
                                                                            last edited by

                                                                            I also share the opinion (to each his own of course) that a sub 200 price isn't exaggerated, given the GB nics, better cpu, more RAM and possibility to install a HD so a full install should be feasible while remaining low-power (wonder though how all that will fit in the enclosure).
                                                                            If it lives up to the expectations, I expect they will sell easily as it will be an affordable board in a segment where there is little competition…

                                                                            So eagerly waiting for the release here...  ;)

                                                                            4x XG-7100 (2xHA)
                                                                            1x SG-4860
                                                                            1x PC Engines APU2C4
                                                                            1x PC Engines APU1C4

                                                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                            • T
                                                                              torontob
                                                                              last edited by

                                                                              Fair enough for a better model and I would pay for it as I know it's still cheaper than other systems but maybe keep a simpler version still in the market - or even lower the price of the older models  8) - I would order many. It's just that an office of 3-5 people don't need anything better.

                                                                              Some questions:
                                                                              1- Would SD Cards be a better option in terms of stability or performance? or is it about price advantage?
                                                                              2- The MILLION DOLLAR question: Is this still in development or should we expect this month? :P

                                                                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                              • D
                                                                                doktornotor Banned
                                                                                last edited by

                                                                                @torontob:

                                                                                2- The MILLION DOLLAR question: Is this still in development or should we expect this month? :P

                                                                                The web page states:

                                                                                Status: Prototypes alive and well. Pilot run / customer samples planned for fall 2013. Production expected for early 2014.

                                                                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                                • K
                                                                                  kejianshi
                                                                                  last edited by

                                                                                  Things arrive quicker when you don't wait for them.

                                                                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                                  • valnarV
                                                                                    valnar
                                                                                    last edited by

                                                                                    Googling "Realtek RTL8111E" doesn't give me any warm fuzzy feelings.  I wish they went with something else.  A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link.  I don't mind if some of my workstations have Realtek NIC's, but I want my router/firewall to have the best.

                                                                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                                    • First post
                                                                                      Last post