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| The ultimate resource on the Sheevaplug development | ||
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HOWTO Use the Plug Computer
As with most new devices, and especially ones without a disk or CD-ROM drive, the first question is "how do I get started?". We offer some options below if you are new to Plug Computing and how to bring up the device to add software applications and features.
Overview of Where to Start
The Plug computer comes with Ubuntu installed - see New Plugger How To to learn the basics of connecting and about further options. Getting the Plug Computer Running with an Operating System will let you either boot the Plug device from the network or install another Plug Computer Linux or BSD distribution to the local solid state storage on the Plug Computer. You can use Setting up TFTP and NFS to boot the Plug Computer off the network first with one of the distributions and adjust it or flash the Plug memory when you are ready. For various useful tips the Frequently Asked Questions page is a good place to look for useful information! Also there is a QuickStart to look at for resolving some of the typical "quirks" of the device that may cause issues or to get things going where you can start doing something.
What is Different About the Plug Compared to Other Desktops and Server Installations?
The Plug Computer is the cross between an embedded platform, typically found in smaller devices like mobile phones, and a larger notebook computer. The Plug Computer has solid state storage inside much like Solid State Drives (SSDs) available in some notebook platforms (). The "Plug" also has a desktop like processor capability with the Marvell ARM-based Sheeva System-on-Chip (SoC) called Kirkwood ala the 6281. However, the hybrid hardware platform requires some special installation instructions to offer step-by-step configuration details to get your Plug Computer up and running as quickly as possible. After which, you will be able to install new software, features, and network capabilities that typically require a much larger and more expensive platform.
The Marvell site also has PDFs in place when you buy a Sheeva-based Plug Computer development platform. Those are very helpful to understand U-Boot and they offer a Ubuntu JFFS2 file system ready for the Plug Computer.
Comparing the Operating System Distributions Available for the Plug Computer
Currently, one can chose from the five distributions listed below including four Linux kernel based operating systems (Ubuntu, Gentoo and Fedora-ARM) and the current (future 9.0) FreeBSD distribution.
- Ubuntu 9.0.4 Plug Computer Distribution
- Gentoo 20090217 Plug Computer Distribution
- Debian Lenny(Stable) or Squeeze(Testing)
- FreeBSD 9.x (9-current) Plug Computer Distribution
- Fedora-ARM Plug Computer Distribution
All of the distributions keep the core of the wonderful kernel and software distributions associated with operating systems. We would like to thanks all the Marvell developers who contributed to the port of their Sheeva ARM SoCs, which is the basis for the distributions listed above. Thank you for contributing to the Open Source Software movement and combining it with your hardware technology.
Prepackaged Cloud Computers
A number of commercial, off the shelf cloud computers complete with commercial software are available. These devices are a friendly approach for users not wishing to build and install their own software .
- CTERA CloudPlug, a device combining file sharing and NAS with secure online backup.
- CloudEngines PogoPlug, a device that lets users access their files at home over the internet without leaving a PC on.
- CodeLathe TonidoPlug is a tiny home server that allows people to access their applications, files, photos, music, and media from anywhere.
- QuadAxis QuadPlug, a device integrated with BarracudaDrive which focuses on a user's local data (or private cloud) versus traditional, outsourced cloud computing.
Applications , Accessories and SHPG Hardware
Here you can find manuals and howtos of applications and accessories that can be used under the Plug Computer.
- Accessories: Webcams, WiFi Dongles, DVB-T, Radio, USB GPIO, Printers, Audio dongles, ZWave and Zigbee etc.
- Applications: Digital media servers, SIP phone router, IPBX[1] , Java apps, .Net apps, Backup server, VPN, CRM and lot more...
- Hardware: Discussion of plug hardware and modifications that can be made to the enclosure, PCBs , power supply and connectors.
- Hardware Compatibility[2] : Information regarding hardware that community members have tested and found to be compatible with the SheevaPlug.
As an example : here are the steps to install/run Bugzilla on Sheeva Plug/Fedora-ARM - How to set up Bugzilla on Sheeva Plug/Fedora-ARM
Plug Computer Frequently Asked Questions
If there are any problems with the Plug Computer and the distributions running on them, the Frequently Asked Questions page is a good place to start for finding solutions or more importantly, not trying something that is an outstanding problem.
