Next on the agenda is system memory and storage. For system memory, a pair of Kingston KVR400X64C25/256 256-Mbyte memory modules ($65 each, MSRP), for a total of 512 MB of RAM, fit the bill. With appliances, the general rule with RAM is "more is better." But if cost is an overriding concern, most system builders could get by with 256 MB of total RAM. Here's a view of these memory modules:
My choice of drives further holds down costs: EIDE drives still prove to be the cheapest way to store data. Reliability concerns can be put aside by installing a pair of like drives, then mirroring them in a RAID level 1 fashion.
I selected a pair of Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 9 120-GB EIDE/ATA hard drives as the primary storage components for the appliance. The drives, with a street price of under $100 each, are economical and have sufficient storage for most SOHO needs. Here's how the drive looks:
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