The Cardboard Server

A cardboard computer of my very own

Intro

In a pinch a cardboard box serves as a pretty descend case for a computer that won't be seen much anyway. it's not the most novel case design but it was easy. using only a chopstick, box-cutter, and screwdriver (plus some spare hardware) i put together a budding media center. Purpose

The main role of the cardboard server will be to serve up files. while the aim of this project is to create a media center it will be nice to have a central location to store data as well. What it does

starting with ssh and working up to a web interface the server will store mp3's and play them on demand thru attached speakers. as this project grows up the speaker will be incorporated into the case, as will a display. perhaps it will even turn into a full blown PVR at some point. Construction

as i said its in a cardboard box. the parts list is:

• P2 350MHZ Processor
• 4GB (OS) and 20GB(storage) harddrives
• crappy power supply
• 384MB RAM
• TNT2 AGP Video Card
• 3Com 10/100 NIC
• Soundblaster

as you can probably tell its made up of spare parts that i had laying around.

OS

The initial OS is a minimal Fedora Core 2. This is what i run at work and has fast become my solution to everything. The 'minimum' install still weighs in at 500MB so this is certainly not the solution to everything (upcoming projects will need something a little lighter-weight). In addition to the base install i've added apache and mpg321 (commandline mpg player for mp3 backend). Normally all the box needs is a power and ethernet cable but for setup and troubleshooting i've added keyboard/video ports (cut holes in the cardboard box).

Piece by piece

Harddrive mount

by cutting strips from another box i made two rigid supports that screw into the drive case. there is a supplimental cardboard brace on the underside of the drives to keep them spaced properly and rigidly held in place. this carriage is then attached to the case with two bolts. the drive carriage rests on the ISA slots on the motherboard.

Powersupply

Not much to say other than the powersupply is simply supported (the supports are only attached at one end) by two posts made from stand-offs. one is attached to the motherboard, the other is attached to the powersupply.

Internals

There isn't a lot of free space inside the box. To keep things cool i had to install an intake fan which blows directly on the disks and exhausts out the many holes in the box.

This works very well and all of the components in the box stay cool to the touch.

-- ChristopherPepe - 17 Mar 2006