Printer Server
A solution that's speedy and smooth to install
NEC Software Hokuriku, Ltd. has developed the "netBlade Print Control Box", a compact print server appliance for schools, public organizations and companies can use to curb down wasteful printer use.
The netBlade eases the job of the system administrator with features like print scheduling, time limits and log administration. Goal of the development was to achieve practicality in installation and use, and flexibility to work with any network environment and printers of all makers.
"We wanted to offer a print control solution that can be set up quick and easy, not some overblown application that needs a big PC server. That was our challenge from the beginning."
Small and robust hardware that can be integrated anywhere
Installing the netBlade server is easy, just place it as a proxy gateway between the printer and client PCs. A separate server is not necessary, the the device can be set up from the administrator's PC.
The base hardware used as the appliance platform, the OpenBlockS266, greatly contributed to achieving this development goal.
"We needed a hardware that is unproblematic to place between client PCs and printer, something that does not take up much space, is robust and does not need a special environment."
With these requirements in mind, NEC Software tested a number of embedded systems, and decided on the OpenBlockS.
As Mr. Yamazaki remarks, the OpenBlockS provided several advantages in light of the factors that were tested.
"To begin with, the system was attractive because it is designed for a low failure rate. It is small and robust, and can be placed in a wide variety of environments.
Our experience with the device was even better than expected, and it has proven its credibility as appliance hardware. The final point in our decision was that the Compact Flash card we use for storage is safe within the case, where it can't be easily taken out by the user."
The OpenBlockS266 is part of the MicroServer series, with more than 40,000 sold units, many of which are used for appliances such as network administration devices.
It was designed with the appliance developer in mind. For example, moving parts such as fans and harddisks were removed to improve robustness and environment resistance. It has built up trust with many companies that have successfully deployed their software solutions on this hardware.
In addition, the option to enclose a CF card in the device is a great advantage. Devices like the netBlade are not in the guarded environment of the server room, but in offices or class rooms, where normal users have easy access to it. The unit has to survive the occasional drop to the floor and other maltreatment, accidental or intended. These features set appliance hardware like the OpenBlockS apart from other embedded systems.
Interior view of the OpenBlockS
A dedicated OS that supports the developer
For the netBlade development, Mr. Yamazaki has used the C++ and C programming languages on a Debian cross development environment. For the kernel and the firmware image, he used the distribution preinstalled by Plat'Home, the dedicated OS for the MicroServer series called SSD/Linux.
The netBlade developers highly value the compactness and ease of use of SSD/Linux.
"In the SSD/Linux build environment, differences to the original kernel and software are distributed as patches, and it was easy to customize these patches for the netBlade. We could port our patches to the Debian-ia32 kernel over to SSD/Linux without any problems.
"When we decided to base the netBlade on debian, we could get a disk image and installation instructions right from the Plat'Home website. That made the installation a breeze."
A product that offers many merits to software vendors
Under these prospects, the netBlade has seen the light of day at NEC Software Hokuriku. The goals we set ourselves at the start of the development were fully reached, and it has received a favorable reaction from our customers, reports Mr. Miyazaki.
"For software developers like us, it is very attractive to use a hardware where all necessary requirements for bulding an appliance are provided. When something is provided by the support, we don't need to do it ourselves. I definitely want to use this device again for our next appliance solution."
| ※1 | NetBlade usage examples and details (Japanese only) http://www.hnes.co.jp/solution/develop/ |