Anyone using Debian (or BSD) on a VIA C-7?

[Chaotic42]

I'd like to get a little system for a firewall and I'd like to put Debian or OpenBSD on it. I'm thinking about the Jetway JC300 (Link), which has a C-7 processor. My few internet searches look promising, but I was wondering if anyone has actually used the two together.

I'm planning on throwing an SSD in there.

Any thoughts on this? I'm usually into the giant systems, so this will be my first peek into the world of the tiny.

 

[dighn]

I ran Debian on my C7-based server for a year or two. Had absolutely no problem with it except the obviously very low horsepower, which should be no problem for a firewall.

 

[Bateluer]

It should run just fine, you just may need to use lighter weight GUIs or stay command line only. Its not going to be a fast system, so your intended use will have to take that into account. If you're going to use it for a firewall, I'd say it'd be fine. If you intend to use it for web browsing and email, I think you might be disappointed.

 

[Emulex]

if you need a gui for *bsd then just get a mac

 

[Chaotic42]

if you need a gui for *bsd then just get a mac

Nah, don't need a GUI. Thanks everyone, guess I'm going to pull the trigger.

 

[Noriaki]

Be careful with BSD on something like that, BSD's ports package management typically builds everything from source. As I sit here waiting for something to build on my 2.53 Ghz Core 2 Duo I can attest this can take a damn long time some days.

Debian dpkg pacakges are usually installed from pre-built binaries, so that is likely to provide a much faster setup for installing new software. And Deb will run on a C7 fine.

Although I admit, ports v. apt-get is only likely to be a major issue near the beginning, and is a debate that will rage on for the ages, so I mean, take my opinion with some salt.

 

[Chaotic42]

Heh, I'd imagine it would take some time on a C7 then.

I've got plenty of time and I went with OpenBSD. This little computer is just so tiny. I wonder if I could make a file sever with a C7...

It's installing now. There's not even room for a (proper) CD drive in the case.

 

[Chaotic42]

In case anyone comes searching down the road, it works wonderfully with OpenBSD as a firewall. It's more than fast enough for light use.