Group: Hardware/Computers/Single Board Computers/Plug Computers
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== Software features comparison == | == Software features comparison == | ||
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| + | Currently, the best way to run fully free software on these plug computers is to use Debian with the matching ARM architecture. Debian Wheezy (7) doesn't ship with the non-free firmwares and a standard installation does not include any non-free component. However, Debian is not endorsed by the FSF as a fully free distribution, see [http://www.gnu.org/distros/common-distros.html#Debian] | ||
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Revision as of 04:58, 8 August 2013
Plug Computers are computers that fit in a small form-factor and are power-efficient. Most of the time, Plug Computers use a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) with an ARM processor, run a GNU/Linux system and are used as domestic servers.
Contents
Software freedom comparison
While some Plug Computers can be used with fully free software running on the main processor, not all of them are perfect. Hence, here is a comparison of different models of Plug Computers and their flaws regarding software freedom.
Flawless targets
These plug computers can be operated with all the hardware features available, using only free software.
- The Globalscale SheevaPlug can be operated using only free software:
- The bootloader is free software and can easily be replaced
- The kernel and all the drivers needed are free software
- There is no hardware component that requires a non-free loaded firmware
Seriously flawed targets
These plug computers are usable with free software, but important hardware features are not functional. There may be workarounds for these however.
- The Globalscale DreamPlug is flawed as the WiFi and bluetooth hardware require non-free firmwares
- The bootloader is free software and can easily be replaced
- The kernel and all the drivers needed are free software
- WiFi and bluetooth both need a non-free loaded firmware, but the USB ports make it possible to use external WiFi and/or bluetooth dongle that can work with free software (both USB2 ports can provide up to 500mA)
Hardware features comparison
| Name | Manufacturer | SoC | CPU frequency | RAM | Internal storage | External storage | USB | PCI | Ethernet | WiFi | Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SheevaPlug | Globalscale | Kirkwood 88F6281 | 1.2 Ghz | 512 Mb | 512 Mb | SD card | 1xUSB2 | N/A | 1x10/100/1000 | N/A | N/A |
| DreamPlug | Globalscale | Kirkwood 88F6281 | 1.2 Ghz | 512 Mb | 4 Gb (µSD card) | e-SATA, SD card | 2xUSB2 | N/A | 2x10/100/1000 | 802.11 b/g/n, AP | 3.0 |
Software features comparison
Currently, the best way to run fully free software on these plug computers is to use Debian with the matching ARM architecture. Debian Wheezy (7) doesn't ship with the non-free firmwares and a standard installation does not include any non-free component. However, Debian is not endorsed by the FSF as a fully free distribution, see [1]
| Name | Manufacturer | Architecture | Bootloader | Kernel | GNU/Linux |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SheevaPlug | Globalscale | ARMv5/armel | Upstream U-Boot | Upstream Linux | Upstream Debian |
| Dreamplug | Globalscale | ARMv5/armel | Upstream U-Boot | Upstream Linux | Upstream Debian |
