Little Blue
Where small is beautiful, Cobalt Microserver brings new meaning to downsizing.
With its Cobalt Qube microserver, the company has created the server that
many freeware-savvy Internet developers have dreamed of. In a nutshell (a
7¥7¥8-inch cobalt blue one), it combines a low cost-to-performance
MIPS processor with a bundle of free software, including Linux, Apache,
Samba, AppleShare, Perl, and GNU compilers and editors. In addition, they've
licensed Glimpse, a small footprint search engine from the University of
Arizona, and added an enhanced Perl-based CGI threaded-messaging program.
The Web Techniques editors were impressed with the simple design
and administration of this server. With an LCD switch at the back of the
box, the hassles of setting up IP addresses and routing have been eliminated.
All other configuration is accomplished through a remote Web client, which
eliminates the need for and cost of a local console. This design allows
someone without training to set up and run the server in less than 15 minutes.
By using a MIPS-based controller, Mark Orr, vice president of sales,
claims Web performance similar to a 200-MHz pentium with a similar configuration.
"Our decision to use the MIPS processor was based on a minimum five
times price-to-performance ratio at the time of manufacturing," says
Orr.
