OT: Lowest-power small server solutions

[Jules Richardson]

Chuck Guzis wrote:
> This may be appropriate for another list, but it seems to me that there's
> plenty of applicable knowledge here.
> 
> Right now, we're using an older Compaq Deskpro P3-600 box as our incoming
> Linux server.  Basically, it connects with the DSL modem and contains IP
> masquerading, DNS caching, firewall and fetchmail/procmail/qmail tasks
> (SpamAssassin included).  It runs 24x7 with no problem, as it has for the
> last 5 or 6 years.  Built like a tank.

Would an offering from one of the various UNIX vendors be a possibility? 
Sun / SGI / HP or something? I'm thinking that getting away from any 
kind of Intel CPU would be a good place to start, plus of course you 
don't need any kind of framebuffer then either (unlike a PC) and can 
just use a serial console on the (very rare) occassions when you'd need 
to be physically at the machine.

Cut memory to bare minimum too as that's probably a major culprit of 
current draw.

If the machine's not doing any logging to local disk then you can 
eliminate the hard drive too - just boot it across the LAN on your 
secure interface from another server somewhere.

Heck, something like an old Sun SPARC 20 is probably even on topic :)

cheers

Jules