Plug computer
Encyclopedia
A plug computer is a small form factor
server
for use in the home or office. Compared to their PC-based counterparts, plug computers are lower cost, consume less power, often do not have a video card
, and are intended to be powered up at all times. Although plug computers are often enclosed in an AC power plug or AC adapter
, the term "plug" also refers to "plug and play" appliance-like devices which may be in any form factor.
Suitable for running a media server
, back-up services, file sharing
and remote access
functions such devices can be used as a bridge between in home protocols such as Digital Living Network Alliance
(DLNA) & Server Message Block
(SMB) and cloud based services.
(Network Storage Link for USB 2.0 Disk Drives) was a small Network-attached storage (NAS) device manufactured by Linksys between 2004 and 2008.
A number of other devices in this form factor began to appear at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show
.
Small form factor
A small form factor is a computer form factor designed to minimize the volume of a desktop computer. For comparison purposes, the size of an SFF case is usually measured in litres. SFFs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, including shoeboxes, cubes, and book-sized PCs...
server
Server (computing)
In the context of client-server architecture, a server is a computer program running to serve the requests of other programs, the "clients". Thus, the "server" performs some computational task on behalf of "clients"...
for use in the home or office. Compared to their PC-based counterparts, plug computers are lower cost, consume less power, often do not have a video card
Video card
A video card, Graphics Card, or Graphics adapter is an expansion card which generates output images to a display. Most video cards offer various functions such as accelerated rendering of 3D scenes and 2D graphics, MPEG-2/MPEG-4 decoding, TV output, or the ability to connect multiple monitors...
, and are intended to be powered up at all times. Although plug computers are often enclosed in an AC power plug or AC adapter
AC adapter
The AC adapter, AC/DC adapter or AC/DC converter is a type of external power supply, often enclosed in what looks like an over-sized AC plug. Other names include plug pack, plug-in adapter, adapter block, domestic mains adapter, line power adapter, or power adapter...
, the term "plug" also refers to "plug and play" appliance-like devices which may be in any form factor.
Suitable for running a media server
Media Server
A media server refers either to a dedicated computer appliance or to a specialized application software, ranging from an enterprise class machine providing video on demand, to, more commonly, a small personal computer or NAS for the home, dedicated for storing various digital media .-Purpose:By...
, back-up services, file sharing
File sharing
File sharing is the practice of distributing or providing access to digitally stored information, such as computer programs, multimedia , documents, or electronic books. It may be implemented through a variety of ways...
and remote access
Remote access
In telecommunication, the term remote access has the following meanings:#Pertaining to communication with a data processing facility from a remote location or facility through a data link...
functions such devices can be used as a bridge between in home protocols such as Digital Living Network Alliance
Digital Living Network Alliance
The Digital Living Network Alliance is a non-profit collaborative trade organization established by Sony in June 2003, and has more than 250 member companies in the mobile, consumer electronics, PC, and service provider industries...
(DLNA) & Server Message Block
Server Message Block
In computer networking, Server Message Block , also known as Common Internet File System operates as an application-layer network protocol mainly used to provide shared access to files, printers, serial ports, and miscellaneous communications between nodes on a network. It also provides an...
(SMB) and cloud based services.
History
The NSLU2NSLU2
The NSLU2 is a Network-attached storage device made by Linksys introduced in 2004 and discontinued in 2008. It makes USB Flash memory and hard disks accessible over a network using the SMB protocol...
(Network Storage Link for USB 2.0 Disk Drives) was a small Network-attached storage (NAS) device manufactured by Linksys between 2004 and 2008.
A number of other devices in this form factor began to appear at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show
Consumer Electronics Show
The International Consumer Electronics Show is a major technology-related trade show held each January in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Not open to the public, the Consumer Electronics Association-sponsored show typically hosts previews of products and new...
.
- On January 6, 2009 CTERA NetworksCTERA NetworksCTERA Networks is a cloud storage and data protection hardware and software company that specializes in cloud storage gateways. It provides network storage combined with asynchronously replicated off-site cloud storage...
launched a device called CloudPlug that provides online backup at local disk speeds and overlays a file sharing service. The device also transforms any external USB hard drive into a network-attached storageNetwork-attached storageNetwork-attached storage is file-level computer data storage connected to a computer network providing data access to heterogeneous clients. NAS not only operates as a file server, but is specialized for this task either by its hardware, software, or configuration of those elements...
device.
- On January 7, 2009, Cloud Engines unveiled Pogoplug network access server.
- On January 8, 2009, Axentra announced availability of their HipServ platform.
- On February 23, 2009, Marvell Technology GroupMarvell Technology GroupMarvell is an American producer of storage, communications and consumer semiconductor products.Founded in 1995, Marvell Technology Group Ltd. has operations worldwide and approximately 5,700 employees. Marvell’s U.S. operating subsidiary is based in Santa Clara, California and Marvell has...
announced its plans to build a mini-industry around plug computers. - On August 19, 2009, CodeLathe announced availability of their TonidoPlug network access server.
- On November 13, 2009 QuadAxis launched its plug computing device product line and development platform, featuring the QuadPlug and QuadPC and running QuadMix, a modified Linux.
- On 5 January, 2010 Iomega announced their iConnect network access server.
- On January 7, 2010 PbxnsipPbxnsipPbxnsip is a software implementation of a telephone private branch exchange produced by a company of the same name. Like any PBX, it allows attached telephones to make calls to one another, and to connect to other telephone services including the public switched telephone network and Voice over...
launched its plug computing device the sipJack running pbxnsip: an IP Communications platform.
See also
- SheevaPlugSheevaPlugThe SheevaPlug is a "plug computer" designed to allow standard computing features in as small a space as possible.One of the first such computers on the market, the device has a 1.2 GHz Marvell Kirkwood 6281 ARM-compatible CPU . The operating system is Ubuntu Linux version 9.04...
- GuruPlugGuruPlugGuruPlug is a compact and low power Linux Plug computer. It is intended to be a device that could act as a web server, a printing server or any other network service...
- Nimbus Plug Computer
- Classes of computersClasses of computersComputers can be classified, or typed, many ways. Some common classifications are summarized below. For others see :Category:Classes of computers.-Microcomputers :...
- Computer applianceComputer applianceA computer appliance is generally a separate and discrete hardware device with integrated software , specifically designed to provide a specific computing resource. These devices became known as "appliances" because of their similarity to home appliances, which are generally "closed and sealed" –...