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Upgrading thoughts
Good, energy efficient, Gbit hardware
Since I'll have Gbit capable wiring in my new home, I need to find some hardware that can make use of it. My current stuff is using 100Mbit NICs only, except for my MPPC. The clients will probably be upgraded 'automatically' when hardware is exchanged.
What troubles me is my little server. The current Epia VE5000 is too slow. Even if I put in a Gbit NIC the processer would be too slow. The only PCI slot is taken by a USB 2.0 adapter, anyway. And since it's running 24h a day I'm looking for fast, meaning Gbit capable, and energy efficient hardware. Cost is also a criteria, of course. Focus is on the mainboard since it defines all other components.
Some unsorted requirements:
- FreeBSD > 7 compatible
- Gbit NIC != Realtek, Marvell or Intel would be good
- a minimum of 4 Sata Ports
- eSata
- underclocking/undervolting via OS or BIOS to reduce power consumption
- optional: onboard graphics that can be disabled. OS can boot without it.
- ATX/µATX
- overall power consumption below 50W idle
I found the forum at meisterkuehler.de/forum (german) very useful. They have a special section for energy saving and lots of people post their setups with power measurements.