GuruPlug

GuruPlug is a compact and low power plug computer running Linux. It is intended to be a device that could act as a web server, a print server or any other network service. It has local storage in NAND Flash, but also offers USB ports and a Serial ATA port to connect external hard disks.[1]

GuruPlug
A GuruPlug in a wall socket
ManufacturerMarvell
TypePlug computer
Release date2010 (2010)
Operating systemDebian
CPU1.2 GHz ARM Marvell Kirkwood 6281 (ARM9E)
Memory512 MB SDRAM, 512 MB NAND
StorageExternal hard drive/flash disk/internal NAND
Displaynone
ConnectivityUSB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, JTAG, Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
Dimensions95 x 65 x 48.5 (mm)
PredecessorSheevaPlug
SuccessorDreamPlug

The first versions of the GuruPlug Plus had no moving parts such as fans. Combined with the low power ARM architecture CPU, this results in both power consumption and noise level being typically lower compared to desktop PCs. However, these units had significant heating issues and were prone to overheating (the lack of a temperature sensor could form a safety issue when the unit is left running for multiple days).[2][3] Newer versions of the GuruPlug Plus manage the overheating problem by adding a 2-cm fan to the design, although this eliminates the benefit of the silent design.[4] The fan is not software-controllable[5] and makes a sound resembling that of a hair dryer.[4] The standard version of GuruPlug still has no fan and thus produces no noise.

In the area of small and low-power computing, SheevaPlug was its predecessor.

Variants and modifications

The GuruPlug comes in three variants: GuruPlug Server Standard, GuruPlug Server Plus and GuruPlug Display. The Plus version features a second gigabit ethernet, an eSATA and MicroSD Slot. The Display version features an HDMI display port.

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References
  1. GuruPlug Server Palm-sized Server
  2. Forum entry in the GuruPlug forum Archived 2010-07-01 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. http://1wt.eu/articles/guruplug-slow-heater/.
  4. Forum entry in the GuruPlug forum Archived 2011-04-15 at the Wayback Machine.
  5. Oskar Andreasson's blog post discussing fan wiring
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