Netra X1 - Sun Microsystems - any use?

[tmcw]

I got 2 of these boxes from a scrapheap at work, one like the description in the link, one slightly bigger box (has an additional CD drive), but mainboard looks the same.

http://sunstuff.org/hardware/systems...sun4u/NetraX1/

I don't really know much about these things, but if they work, are they of any use? What could they be used for?

They have 20GB and 40GB PATA hard drives in them, which could probably be upgraded.

[ratdude747]

Re: Netra X1 - Sun Microsystems - any use?

Not much. Playing around with different unix/unix-like distributions would be what comes to mind for me.

[stj]

Re: Netra X1 - Sun Microsystems - any use?

a safe fileserver.
unlike pc's it wont have "CompuTrace" spyware/rootkit hidden in the bios!!

[Per Hansson]

Re: Netra X1 - Sun Microsystems - any use?

Don't forget that it also wont have a ring -3 hardware rootkit in the form of Intel Management Engine that is virtually impossible to disable.

https://www.techspot.com/news/71996-...abilities.html

https://www.techspot.com/news/71836-...ulnerable.html

https://www.techspot.com/news/69152-...ly-decade.html

[Curious.George]

Re: Netra X1 - Sun Microsystems - any use?

I got 2 of these boxes from a scrapheap at work, one like the description in the link, one slightly bigger box (has an additional CD drive), but mainboard looks the same.

http://sunstuff.org/hardware/systems...sun4u/NetraX1/

I don't really know much about these things, but if they work, are they of any use? What could they be used for?

They have 20GB and 40GB PATA hard drives in them, which could probably be upgraded.

I can't recall but I think the drive interface limits drives to 127GB. And, as they are IDE/PATA, you won't really expect to fit much larger than that, within. Also, be sure both sleds are present as they're an unusual design.

Likewise, I think you are limited to ~1GB of RAM.

The active cooler for the CPU is prone to failure -- and difficult to find an inexpensive replacement. IIRC, I pulled the cooler off of mine and used it for a replacement in a Chimera when that one died. (so, I guess the Netra can be considered as having a potential use! )

The (only?) upside is that it is a very shallow (front to back) 1U case -- unlike the aircraft carrier 1U servers you typically encounter. And, a bit quieter than those (fewer fans).

I used one as an RDBMS server, for a while, during development (performance wasn't an issue). Then, replaced it with an Optiplex FX160 to save space and power.

As to practical uses -- assuming you have few boxes to choose from -- you could use it as a "core services" provider (DNS, TFTP, BOOTP/DHCP, LPD, XFS, etc.) -- but even an Atom-based box would beat it on power, noise and probably performance!

Personally, a 128MB LX has more nostalgia value, to me (as none of these are real performers!). Or, better yet, a Voyager!