DeviceGuru

Lantronix has introduced what it claims is the “World’s Smallest Linux Networking Server.” Within an elongated RJ45 Ethernet LAN connector, the XPort Pro packs a 32-bit RISC CPU, 8MB SDRAM, 16MB flash storage, and a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN port.

This little gadget isn’t aimed at heavy lifting chores, though. Its control-oriented features includes:

• CPU — 32-bit Freescale microprocessor, clocked at 166MHz
• Memory — 16MB flash and 8MB SDRAM (larger capacities available)
• LAN port — 10/100Mbps Broadcom Ethernet PHY
• Serial ports — high-speed (300 to 921,600 bps) RS232 serial port with hardware handshaking
• GPIO — up to three configurable I/O pins (two are shared with DTR and DCD); not 5V tolerant
• Operating temperature — -40 to +85 degrees C
• Input power — regulated 3.3V input required

Inside the XPort Pro
According to Lantronix, the XPort Pro runs a choice of Linux or the company’s “Evolution OS.” The latter includes a “full featured” TCP/IP stack, built-in webserver, and supports the following protocols: ARP, IP, UDP, TCP, ICMP, BOOTP, DHCP, Auto IP, Telnet, DNS, FTP, TFTP, HTTP(S), SSH, SSL/TLS, SNMP, SMTP, RSS, PPP, Syslog, TCP, UDP, TCP/AES, UDP/AES, Telnet, SSH, SSL/TLS, TFTP, FTP, and HTTP. The built-in webserver serves static web pages and java aplets, the company says.

XPort Pro Block Diagram
(Click to enlarge)
The XPort Pro actually isn’t the first Ethernet connector with a built-in embedded Linux microcomputer. That honor belongs to Digi’s similar product, which Digi inherited through its acquisition of Netsilicon back in 2001. Unlike Lantronix’s Linux-powered Ethernet connector, Digi’s doesn’t include a web server, however.

Further details on Lantronix’s XPort Pro may be found here.