For sale!

[Xyzzy]

We do wonder, in our profound ignorance of network-stuff, whether it would not be possible to simple direct-connect via cable (perhaps cross-cable, of which we possess an exemplar), obviating the need for the switch and its attendant power cable and "where do I put this"-ness.

It wouldn't hurt the computer to try.

The switch will come in handy once you start buying more boxes.

[kracker]

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

It wouldn't hurt the computer to try.

The switch will come in handy once you start buying more boxes.

more boxes... ...from Newegg etc?

[ewmayer]

Originally Posted by kracker

more boxes... ...from Newegg etc?

We suspect Xyzzy may be subtly hinting "if you liked the first one, I've got 2 more for you consideration..." :P

For my simple setup, the direct connect via ethernet-crossover-cable works - lots less cabling already, one less device sucking watts from the power strip. We will keep the switch in case our farm expands, although we would consider exchanging it for a 10' crossover (ours is leftover from a long-ago DSL setup, only 3-4 feet long) if someone offers us one in a swap. (We see a 10' crossover cable for $6 on amazon.com, which is more than postage to send the compact switch to contiguous US would be, thus we could claim huge cost savings, or something).

----------------------------

I still would like to get a mini-UPS to safeguard the system for the < 5 min power glitches which constitute over 90% of our power issues in my area. Was looking at something like this in terms of capacity and price, but does anyone know of ones designed to go into a tower-case storage bay and hook into the tower's power connects? I don't want yet another standalone cabled device cluttering my space, if I can avoid it.

Also, recommendations on UPS wattage? Would a 255W be enough for this barebones system, or better to be safe and get something in the 300-350W range?

[sdbardwick]

If you have gigabit Ethernet adapters on both ends, you don't need a crossover cable. Auto-crossover is built into the standard. Anyway, if you have a longer (Cat 5 or higher) cable around, give it a try; it will either work or not, but won't hurt anything aside from not working.

[Dubslow]

Originally Posted by ewmayer

We suspect Xyzzy may be subtly hinting "if you liked the first one, I've got 2 more for you consideration..." :P

For my simple setup, the direct connect via ethernet-crossover-cable works - lots less cabling already, one less device sucking watts from the power strip. We will keep the switch in case our farm expands, although we would consider exchanging it for a 10' crossover (ours is leftover from a long-ago DSL setup, only 3-4 feet long) if someone offers us one in a swap. (We see a 10' crossover cable for $6 on amazon.com, which is more than postage to send the compact switch to contiguous US would be, thus we could claim huge cost savings, or something).

We think that too many dealings with Xyzzy () lead to the propensity to replace the first person singular personal pronoun with that of the plural. (Resistance is futile.)

[kladner]

Originally Posted by Dubslow

We think that too many dealings with Xyzzy () lead to the propensity to replace the first person singular personal pronoun with that of the plural. (Resistance is futile.)

We agree.

[LaurV]

Originally Posted by sdbardwick

If you have gigabit Ethernet adapters on both ends, you don't need a crossover cable. Auto-crossover is built into the standard.

This we wanna say too. We use normal cables here to connect gigabit mobos without switches/hubs in between. Also, there's no big deal to cross a cable by yourself (well, we have the toy, but that is only necessary if you want your work to look pretty).

[Xyzzy]

For a UPS, we prefer APC. The smallest one will do fine for short outages up to five minutes.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16842101349

That one is 450VA. There is a cheaper one that is 350VA for a few dollars less. We have several of each and they just work.

[ewmayer]

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

For a UPS, we prefer APC. The smallest one will do fine for short outages up to five minutes.

Know of anything like this that will integrate into a standard tower case or plug directly into a standard (single or dual) 3-prong outlet? I really want to avoid yet another cable snaking around.

[Xyzzy]

Know of anything like this that will integrate into a standard tower case or plug directly into a standard (single or dual) 3-prong outlet?

Not that we can think of. We have "wire OCD" as well, so we can sympathize with your plight.

Maybe wire in a giant capacitor like they use on air conditioning units? (We got buzzed by one of those once. Apparently they need to be discharged before you replace them. Lesson learned!)

[jasonp]

Originally Posted by Stargate38

What on Earth's causing the other (58.19945232926974458...%) of the total deaths?!

- infant mortality
- old age
- complications from being sick in old age
- hospital-borne complications from being sick in old age

It would be neat to look at how the numbers change when leaving the more-developed countries, though IIRC infant mortality is surprisingly high in the US