[CUWiN-Dev] Re: Node Specifications ...

[Patrick]

Don't kill the messenger, but ... our cost analysis is more like a $65
savings per unit.

We used an apples to apples comparison (i.e., SOEKRIS 4826-50 with
identical CPU ... 266 MHz National Geode ... and memory 128 MB and single
LAN port). In a lot of 10-19 the SOEKRIS price is $186. When we ordered
directly from PCEngines, we specified WRAP.2C w/ 1 LAN and 128 MB SDRAM
(even though our very tight linux kernel only requires 8 MB and it is a
dual radio router with cross radio routing on board to interconnect the
11a backhaul links with the 11b/g AP links). In a lot of 10, the PCEngines
price is $110.

QED about $65 dollars in savings. (with a $10 CF memory).

In addition, PCEngines has been more professional and helpful with support
(translation ... they don't seem to jerk us around like SOEKRIS has done
... so far).

-Patrick

> To quantify:
>
> http://soekris.com/how_to_buy.htm
> net4526-30: 133 Mhz CPU, 64 Mbyte SDRAM, 1 Ethernet, 1 Serial, 64 Mbyte CF
> Flash, 2 Mini-PCI sockets, PoE.
> $136 in quantity of 20
>
> WRAP2C: 266 MHz National Geode SC1100 CPU, 64MB SDRAM, 1 Ethernet, 2
> mini-PCI, PoE, serial?, [ no builtin flash ]
> $107.50 in quantity of 20 (includes lot charge)
>
> Very similar specs all around (I know nothing about the CPU differences).
> So assuming a 64MB flash card can be had for <$10, that's about $20
> savings per node for the WRAP2C over a net4526-30.
>
> The die-cast outdoor boxes look cool, maybe some additional savings there
> if you can do without the LMR/other cable and connect the antenna directly
> to a bulkhead connector on the box as shown in pics of boxes here:
> http://www.mini-box.com/s.nl/c.ACCT127230/sc.8/category.19/.f
>
> or
>
> http://www.pcengines.ch/wrapbox.pdf
>
> Bill
>
> --
> Bill Comisky
> bcomisky at pobox.com
>
>
> On Wed, 16 Mar 2005, Sascha Meinrath wrote:
>
>> it probably doesn't make sense to introduce a new variable for the city
>> (which is only buying 10 nodes).  but i would definitely like to hear
>> more
>> about what folks think about the WRAP.2C boards.  pricing is indeed a
>> good
>> bit cheaper than soekris boards -- see:
>>
>> http://www.pcengines.ch/order1.php?c=4
>>
>> what do folks think about this option?  also, the WRAP box is also quite
>> impressive.  so the big question is, is there a reason why CUWiN's
>> software
>> shouldn't work on this?
>>
>> with this system we're be hovering close to the sub-$200 mark for nodes.
>>
>> thoughts?
>>
>> --sascha
>>
>> On Wed, 16 Mar 2005, Patrick wrote:
>>
>>>  Regarding message: 5 (copied below) ... we think you might want to
>>>  consider using WRAP.2C router boards (instead of SOEKRIS) together
>>> with
>>>  the mini-box enclosure kits.
>>>
>>>  We just got a batch of (10) WRAP.2C boards yesterday (purchased &
>>> shipped
>>>  directly from PCEngines in Switzerland). We loaded the same software
>>>  (linux) as we are using on the SOEKRIS 4826-50 boards and ... it works
>>>  great ... no changes needed.
>>>
>>>  The WRAP boards are a lot less expensive, and, the mini-box kit is
>>> about
>>>  the same cost but way better than anything we've found. Check out the
>>>  following review:
>>>  http://socalfreenet.org/wrapbox
>>>
>>>  You may want to consider different coax cable, too because the LMR400
>>> is
>>>  overly industrial grade in our opinion. As long as the cable run
>>> between
>>>  the radio card and the antennas is short, you'll get about the same RF
>>>  performance.
>>>
>>>  -Patrick
>>
>> --
>> Sascha Meinrath
>> President                 *   Project Coordinator   *   Policy Analyst
>> Acorn Worker Collective  ***  CU Wireless Network  ***  Free Press
>> www.acorncollective.com   *   www.cuwireless.net    *
>> www.freepress.net
>>
>>
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>