Joined on 02/21/03
Great board, Linux Ethernet DOES work
Pros: Great little board. Just built a pair of file servers for a non-profit org with this board in an Antec NSK 4480 II case, with a stick of RAM, a hard drive, a DVD drive, and CentOS. Makes a quiet machine with just two slowly turning fans: case fan set on low, and thermostatically-controlled PSU fan. Plenty of processing and display power for a server with GUI sysadmin tools and office apps.
Cons: Gigabit Ethernet chip, Atheros AR8131M, is too new to be supported by CentOS 5.4 initial installation. Simple fix: download and install kmod-atl1c from ELRepo (currently in testing repo), then enable ELRepo repositories to get future updates 'automagically'.
Overall Review: First found driver source AR81Family-linux-v1.0.1.0.tar.gz, then discovered ELRepo, an RPM repository for Enterprise Linux packages. Many thanks to the guys & gals there! See also Red Hat Bugzilla – Bug 514069.
Mobo +4 Rebate -2
Pros: Motherboard continues to work well after five months.
Cons: Rebate still not paid after five months.
Overall Review: Will likely get another Intel Atom / Nvidia Ion for a HTPC. Will look for a more reputable brand.
Excellent value!
Pros: Does all it's supposed to.
Cons: None