BUBBA - reasonably-priced, stupidly-named home mini server

[Bob Crabtree]

There are a whole lot of good reasons for wanting to have a server sitting at the centre of a home notework so BUBBA, a complete Linux-based home mini-server from Swedish outfit eXcito, might have some appeal, not least because the two versions available look to be reasonably priced.

One, with 250GB hard disk, goes out for €405 (£276); the other, with 80GB hard disk, is €353 (£240). Prices include delivery (€35/£24) to the UK. We think that VAT is also included but were unable to confirm that without buying a box so are awaiting email from Excito.

More in this HEXUS.lifestyle.headline.

Please see the update below of August 22, 13:50. Bob C

[Funkstar]

Seems pretty close to many NAS products out there already. The only addition that you don't normally find is the mail server support.

nice simple box design though, i like it

[Gollie]

I don't see any facility for software upgrades. If it's linux based, i suppose they could theoretically automate the apt-get, or set their own custom sources.list entry.

Hopefully it'll turn out to be as hackable as the original cobalt raq, allowing owners to install their own setup.

[64Bit_Oddity]

Looks interesting to say the least...

[directhex]

this is highly likely to run an ARM processor - like the linksys NSLU2, which is a popular platform for debian fiddlers

[chrestomanci]

I don't see any facility for software upgrades. If it's linux based, i suppose they could theoretically automate the apt-get, or set their own custom sources.list entry.

Hopefully it'll turn out to be as hackable as the original cobalt raq, allowing owners to install their own setup.

Unless they have gone out of their way to lock it down, I would say that it is probably quite hackable.

If I had one, the first thing I would do would be to install SSH, and then from there it would be fairly easy to log into the thing to configure and update stuff.

Having automatic updates via apt-get can be a bit risky as there is always the chance that you download and install something that is not stable. I have wedged my debian box more than once that way. The risk would be higher with an embeded server like this, both because it probably runs ARM which will get a lot less testing than x86, and also it will be harder to get it to boot from a rescue CD or the like.

[Bob Crabtree]

I don't see any facility for software upgrades. If it's linux based, i suppose they could theoretically automate the apt-get, or set their own custom sources.list entry.

Hopefully it'll turn out to be as hackable as the original cobalt raq, allowing owners to install their own setup.

One possible clue comes from something mentioned in the manual:

a generic administrator user (‘admin’) is present on BUBBA

But, in terms of upgrades, the manual - which I downloaded - only mentions firmware upgrades. It says:

BUBBA’s firmware can be easily upgraded to gain new functionality.
Browse to ‘http://bubba/web-admin/’, log on as ‘admin’ and click
‘settings’. Press ‘Update software’, and the update is automatically
performed.

[SpawnofSonic]

sounds like an interesting unit, however i agree if you can't really upgrade the unit hardware or software it would limit its appeal. If this had a Gigabit LAN maybe 500GB space and could run custom linux images or at least the possibility of customising the current one then I would easily see this sat in the spare room with the router and used as a web development server with filesharing and mail server, but with out these I would be hard pushed to spend the money.

I also suspect its an ARM processor, low power and heat consumption

[Bob Crabtree]

eXcito's Tor Krill got back to us this afternoon with answers that fill some of the blanks.

Tor said,

We were aware that this information hasn't been available on our homepage but we have now updated the homepage and our other information material, including the product flyer [151KB PDF file - click to view, right-click to download - Ed].

Bubba is our own design. It is based on a 200MHz ARM9 CPU (Atmel's AT91RM9200) and has 64MByte of SDRAM. Since it is completely networked it has no graphics. It has no FireWire but does have one USB device and one USB host connector.

The print server is based on CUPS and Samba. Since we only have USB connectivity we only support USB printers that implements the USB print class. This, however is to our knowledge, all major brands.

We have both CUPS and Samba set up to use raw print queues and hence only forward data to the printer with minimal intervention. This in turn means that the end user uses the Samba exported printer and installs this device driver locally. We have yet not had any problems with this setup. Of course, if you have a low-budget Win-printer it most likely won't work.

We have in our pipeline - however a bit away - a new platform with, among other things, gigabit Ethernet, more memory and a faster (400-500MHz) CPU .

Closer yet is a mini version of Bubba. Same functionality but based on a 2.5in disk. (Unfortunately, the storage capacity will, of course, be smaller).

When we developed Bubba, the correct choice of hard disk was around 250GB. We most likely will follow the price development here and we will upgrade this offer with bigger disks.

We unfortunately cannot support users that want to replace their hard disks. One reason for this is that connectors on normal 3.5in disks seem not to be standardized. Not all disks will fit into our casing and connectors.

However, it is possible to change disks but the warranty will, of course, be voided. We do provide a downloadable install image for reinstall purposes. This image is placed on a USB stick/disk. This device is then used to boot Bubba. The image will then do a clean, fully-automated, base install, including partitioning etc of Bubba on the attached disk.

Regarding your question about prices. All prices when sold within EU are with VAT included. We of course offer quotes, without VAT, to any business interested.

[directhex]

sounds like an integrated-drive NSLU2 then

http://linuxprinting.org/ will put a downer on the print-server features for many, though

[Bob Crabtree]

So, does anyone think that this is a product we should be reviewing?

[Funkstar]

yeah i think so. i do like the sound of the 4-500mhz version too. would be perfect for SlimServer if you can get Perl installed on it

It's good that they have a re-install image available so you can set up a dead system or if you take the chance and upgrade the hard drive.

[chrestomanci]

http://linuxprinting.org/ will put a downer on the print-server features for many, though

I think not.

The lists on linuxprinting.org are about the avalability of high level linux printer dirvers, that convert high level GDI oputput from a program such as a word processor into a byte stream that will drive a printer to put ink on a page.

The Bubba does not get involved with this process, all it provides is a networked print server that accepts those low level byte streams (generated by a windows printer driver) and sends them to an attached printer. In this respect it will be about as smart and versatile as those matchbox sized printservers that you can buy for £40 or so.

The main limitation will be that there will be no communication the other way, so any monitoring of ink levels or the like will not work.

[Steve B]

you could pare down a windows 98 installation and run it on this couldn't u?
for all those who are against linux (shame on you)

[Funkstar]

nope. Win98 will only run on x86, not ARM chips

[tor]

Hi all,

My name is Tor Krill and am responsible for software at Excito.

A few comments after reading the thread this far.

Regarding hackability

Of course you can tweak your Bubba as you like. It comes with ssh preinstalled and uses apt-get and the usual Debian software management. The "only" thing we have done is that we have our own install sources for apt.

When we say "firmware upgrade" in the manual we actually refer to the complete software installation. The web based upgrade actually does an "apt-get upgrade".

Further more, if you have any questions about Bubba i will try to answer them in this forum thread.

Just edited a little typo that I think might otherwise have caused Tor some blushes! Bob C