BlackDog

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BlackDog is a mobile personal server which allows the user to use the open source Linux operating system on any computer with a USB port. The device is proprietary technology developed by Realm Systems, Inc.

The BlackDog electronic device is the worlds smallest Linux server that is 100% USB powered and fits in the palm of the hand.

Contents

[edit] How it works

The BlackDog is a fully self-contained Linux computer with a built-in biometric fingerprint reader. BlackDog is completely powered from the USB port of the host computer – no external power adapter is required.

When plugged into the host computer’s USB port, BlackDog starts up, automatically launching the X Window system for Windows Xming and a software NAT router via an autorun application that the BlackDog presents to the host through a virtual USB CD-ROM. Once those applications are running, the virtual USB CD-ROM drive disconnects, and a virtual USB-to-Ethernet adapter is connected to provide the communications link.

The host machine’s monitor, keyboard, mouse, and Internet connection are used by the BlackDog for the duration of the session.

When the user is finished, simply unplugging the BlackDog returns everything on the host computer to its original state.

[edit] Hardware specifications

BlackDog - First Version

Identified as the BlackDog, sometimes identified as Project BlackDog or Original BlackDog. Created in conjunction with the Realm Systems Project BlackDog programming contest. There was a short production run to support those who wished to enter the contest or to experiment with the platform. Publicly available for purchase from the Project BlackDog website in September 2005, production ended in mid January 2006 when the contest closed, with a limited number of units still available. It is an opensource Linux derivative of Realm Systems initial Mobile Personal Server (MPS) prototypes.

  • Dimensions: H: .50” W: 1.75” L: 3.5”
  • Weight: 1.6 ounces
  • Xilinx Virtex II-Pro FPGA containing one 400 MHz PowerPC 405 Delta processor
  • 64MB low power mobile SDR SDRAM
  • 256MB or 512MB NAND Flash Memory
  • USB 2.0 through FPGA
  • Authentec AES3400 fingerprint reader
  • MMC Expansion Slot (Supports MMC cards up to 1GB, next software revision will support MMC+ cards 1GB and larger)
  • Small lithium polymer battery for clean shutdowns on removal
  • Small multicolor indicator LED

BlackDog - Second Version

Identified as the K9 Ultra-Mobile Server, sometimes identified as BlackDog, BlackDog Personal Linux, UMS, or K9. Information regarding it was revealed at the Open Source Business Conference in February 2006. Officially launched at Linux World Boston 2006, with expected availability in the third quarter of 2006 (last unofficial announcement listed mid July). Based on partial hardware descriptions to date by employees of Realm Systems as well as promotional materials, it appears to have the same internal features, and may actually be internally identical to an intermediate Realm Systems iD3 personal server prototype (the very thin chrome model). Promotional literature shows the form factor to be the same as the intermediate iD3 prototype, but all black with a rubberized exterior.

Note: The iD3 is a derivative of the MPS and first version BlackDog, intended for corporate use with a matching management router/server identified as the iD1200. Current iD3 form factor resembles a small cellphone.

Realm Systems has aluded in their press releases to an ecosystem of hardware and software products designed to work with and support the K9. The nature of these other products, and if these are Realm Systems manufactured or third party products is unknown.

  • Dimensions: unknown, reported to be slimmer than first version
  • Weight: unknown, assumed to be less than first version based on size
  • 400MHz PowerPC (unknown if this is the same Xilinx Virtex-II Pro FPGA as the first version, a higher end version of the Virtex-II Pro, a Virtex-4, or possibly a different CPU/FPGA/SoC entirely)
  • 128MB RAM (assumed to be similar to first version)(256MB version unofficially reported)
  • 1GB Flash NAND Memory (2GB version unofficially reported)
  • USB 2.0
  • Biometric Fingerprint Reader (assumed to be similar to first version)
  • Small battery for clean shutdowns (assumed to be similar to first version)

Feature Changes

  • 60 pin connector replaces MMC slot (intended for a USB connection cable, as well as custom cables to support additional peripherals)
  • OLED display replaces indicator LED of first version (1.1 inch display, 96x64 resolution, 4 bit grayscale Black and White)
  • Bluetooth (intended for use with headsets for VoIP, unknown if full Bluetooth v2+EDR protocol supported)(confirmation of Bluetooth v1.2 hardware support with A2DP, however linux currently does not have software support for A2DP profiles)
  • RFID (type/frequencies unknown)
  • Host PC Windows 2000 support has been reported in promotional literature.
  • Standard software has changed to include the following
    • GNOME desktop
    • Firefox browser
    • VoIP client
      • (currently suspected to be Ekiga)
    • GUI APT interface
      • (currently suspected to be aptitude)
    • VPN based remote storage
      • (nature of this is unknown, though likely uses either OpenVPN or FreeSWAN, and NFS or some FUSE based remote volume mount)
    • There was an additional report of support for remote access to up to 5 PC's, though the nature of this remote access is unknown
      • A VNC server would provide such capability in a brute force manner, but the developers of the NX protocol appear to be working on a combined application that has a client as well as a headless server that will have feature sets very similar to what has been described. However, for this to work well, a mediating server/service operating as a relay or gateway point to allow for NAT/firewall/proxy traversal would be necessary, similar to services such as GoToMyPC.
  • There are indications that the internal storage hardware has changed, based on a unconfirmed description of an internal card. This may indicate that the internal storage hardware has changed to an internalized CF or MMC card for primary storage rather than soldered on flash memory, which is a common practice for embedded Linux devices.

[edit] Software specifications

  • Debian-based Linux (Sid) with 2.6.10 Kernel
  • Sample default applications such as xterm, XBlast, and XGalaga
  • Additional software available through official and community APT repositories
    • Official SDK repository:
deb http://apt.projectblackdog.com/sdk h main
    • Official Blackdog device repository:
deb http://apt.projectblackdog.com/device h main
    • Project Blackdog Community repository:
deb http://dp-apt.projectblackdog.com/ binary/
    • ArchLUG BlackDog Community Repositories:
deb http://www.archlug.org/apt blackdog archlug
deb http://www.archlug.org/apt blackdog dogpound
deb http://www.archlug.org/apt blackdog bluedogz
deb http://www.archlug.org/apt blackdog linuxrebel
deb http://www.archlug.org/apt blackdog pliskin

[edit] Host requirements

  • USB 1.1 and 2.0 Compatible
  • Current supported OS with no software installation include Windows XP SP2.
  • Debian 3.1+, SUSE 9.3, Slackware 10+, Mandrake 10.1, Ubuntu 5+, KUbuntu 5+, Fedora Core 3, or Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 are supported if certain additional configuration steps are performed.
  • Additional Linux compatibility instructions available to assist adaptation to other Linux distributions with 2.6.10+ kernels
  • Apple Macintosh (Intel & PowerPC) connectivity is provided by project XDog
  • Promotional literature states the K9 will support Windows 2000 SP4. This may require installation of USB-to-Ethernet adapter drivers and/or other software.

[edit] Development Support

  • SDK with QEMU emulator environment for Windows XP and Linux
  • With additional setup, QEMU can run the SDK under a variety of operating systems, like Mac OS X
  • Hardware Developer Kit may be released

[edit] External links

Official

Unofficial

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