It's a small computer, network computer
and also called plug computer
Marvell has launched a new SheevaPlug development platform,
which uses a Marvell Kirkwood processor based on an embedded
1.2GHz Sheeva CPU with 512 Mbytes of FLASH and 512 Mbytes
of DRAM.
Marvell released this product with a name called plug computing
initiative, where the computer stays on and connected 24x7.
A Plug Computer is small enough to plug directly into a
wall socket and is designed to draw so little power that
it can be left on all of the time but offer PC class performance.
This makes it a viable alternative to a PC for any software
service.
This computer connect to the home network is via Gigabit
Ethernet. Peripherals such as direct attached storage can
be connected using a USB 2.0 port. Multiple standard Linux
2.6 kernel distributions are supported on the SheevaPlug
development platform enabling rapid application development.
The enclosure is designed to plug directly into a standard
wall socket and is designed to draw less than one tenth
of the power of a typical PC being used as a home server.
"There is no doubt that home networks need to become
more intelligent and easier to use by offering value added
services for the consumer," said Dr. Simon Milner,
Vice President and General Manager of the Enterprise Business
Unit, Consumer and Communications Business Group at Marvell
Semiconductor. "We have created an open computing platform
for developers in a consumer and eco-friendly form factor.
Marvell's goal is to accelerate the development and availability
of innovative software and services in the home."
"Plug computing is a logical evolution for the digital
home in the same way enterprise applications moved from
servers to network appliances," Mr. Hajime Nakai, Director,
Member of the Board, BUFFALO INC. "Marvell is probably
the only company that can pack so much processor performance
into such a compact form factor."
"Marvell is a leader in designing high-performance,
power-efficient CPUs," commented Linley Gwennap, principal
analyst of The Linley Group. "SheevaPlug leverages
this capability to deliver an impressive amount of compute
performance in an innovative form factor. As a silicon provider,
Marvell is providing a flexible platform for a wide variety
of applications that serves both consumers and service providers."
Early adopters of plug computing are,
Axentra: HipServ software running on a SheevaPlug is a home
server platform, which allows users to easily store, manage,
share, view, or listen to digital media content in the home
or remotely. Find more details at www.axentra.com
Cloud Engines, Inc.: Cloud Engines launched the $99 priced
Pogoplug, a new device which connects your external hard
drive to the internet so you can easily share and access
your files from anywhere.
CTERA Networks: The CTERA CloudPlug, a Cloud Attached Storage
appliance, converts any USB drive into a Network Attached
Storage (NAS) device with integrated secure offsite backup.
CTERA aims the device at service providers seeking to provide
online backup services to consumers and small businesses.
For more details visit www.ctera.com
Eyecon Technologies, Inc.: Eyecon's media companion empowers
the consumer to use their mobile internet device, such as
the iPhone, to manage their connected digital lifestyle.
With the SheevaPlug, Eyecon allows the user to discover
content from any source including the internet, DVRs, PCs
and Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices and direct it
to any connected media device in the home. Find more details
at www.eyecontechnologies.com
Cost of this platform:
The SheevaPlug development kit is available now for $99
through www.marvell.com. All the design details and the
software needed to develop applications for the SheevaPlug
platform are available through the Marvell website.
Low cost computing is very well ticking in the market.
So a simple laptop costing less than 100$ is reality.
