The FSG-3 |
A “Freecom Storage Gateway”, in case you’re interested.
So what is it?
A very cool bit of kit. A NAT router, NAS (Network Attached Storage) host, web/ftp/email/print/you-name-it server, and a wireless access point to boot. Not that I use wireless any more. It is related to the Linksys FSG-3, and shares some common hardware, which is handy. Of course the stock Linux distro running on mine has been replaced with OpenSlug.
And what do you do with it?
Average Joe might just simply plug it in between his broadband modem and network. He’ll then instantly have all the safety offered by a NAT router. Using the web-based configuration software is a doddle, and within minutes up to 400GB of network-attached storage is ready to use. Back up the important stuff from every PC on the (small) network, and keep it all in one safe place. Cool.
Of course, the fun only starts when you step outside the lines. Running an open-source OS is a giggle. Wordpress (the blogging/content management system allowing me to type this and you to read it), phpBB (forums), a static website… all so easy. Shove the printer’s USB cable in there too…. now no need to leave a PC switched on all the time in case somebody on the network wants to print.
The possibilities are endless… running a full (albeit non-GUI) Linux means there’s a massive library of stuff out there. People run weather-monitoring stations off these things! Low power usage, low noise (hmmm… sometimes!), compact and tidy (mine is mounted on the side of the cupboard, well out of the way but easily accessible). I love it. I’ve kind of run out of steam with it now, as its doing everything I need it to and I’d rather devote what little spare time I have to the robotics project.
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