GSM 3G Embedded Linux Computer

[Roque]

Hello everyone!

I hope this is the right place to post this: I am looking for a computer, similar to RaspberryPi, which can run linux and has a 3G Capable GSM Card builtin, so to avoid dongles and other problematic solutions. This 3G Card shall be able to deliver internet to Linux.

I have hear of something like "Microkick" board, or "PowerPC", which cost around 100$, but come across no references on the internet.

Do you know about the existance of anything like this?

Best,

[cponcsak]

Have you considered using an embedded computer with a mini pci-e slot and using a mini pci-e GSM modem? Finding a completely integrated solution might be difficult without getting into expensive commercial products. Mini pci-e gsm modems can be had off ebay for 15-30 bucks and it would open you up to a world of possibilities with the board without locking you to a single supplier.

[AudioplatinumService]

Microkick is wrong, Mikrotik is right! 

Mikrotik is company who made routers,network switches and "all'in'one" network products.

http://www.mikrotik.com/

http://routerboard.com/

Cheers,
Damir

Hello everyone!

I hope this is the right place to post this: I am looking for a computer, similar to RaspberryPi, which can run linux and has a 3G Capable GSM Card builtin, so to avoid dongles and other problematic solutions. This 3G Card shall be able to deliver internet to Linux.

I have hear of something like "Microkick" board, or "PowerPC", which cost around 100$, but come across no references on the internet.

Do you know about the existance of anything like this?

Best,

[SeanB]

Cheap Android tablet? Gives you an ARM processor ( or whatever you want), has the built in GSM 3G/4G capability and somewhat decent performance.

Otherwise EEEpc, and pop out the wireless card and replace with the GSM modem, or plug in a GSM modem as well on those models that support 2 cards. Gives you x86 and reasonable performance, but there you really want to add in some extra internal USB storage, or boot from a SD card in the slot.

[Roque]

Thank you all!

Those mikrotik's can run other linux distros? The folk that told be about that said that they coulde use an ARM or x86 Architecture, and could run windows or ubuntu. But as far as I can see, those are dedicated for routers, right?

Which mini-pc's like RPi support PCI-E? Not much, I would say? Do you know any?

For the cheap-tablet: that could work, but with small pc's we have has many USB's as we need, without more HUBs, and they are also smaller. Here, size matters :/

Best,

[Jeroen3]

I know Telit is a brand of Cellular stuff that is often used. You might be able to plug one of their mini pci-e cards into a standard arm processor board.

[Roque]

The question is: What arm board?

[tomcat14]

Which mini-pc's like RPi support PCI-E? Not much, I would say? Do you know any?

The HummingBoard-Edge /Gate is one.

HummingBoard-Edge

HummingBoard-Edge is the ideal M2M platform, it was developed to meet the B2B market demand for for a high performance, reliable and innovative device. The brand new HummingBoard-Edge includes a whole new set of features such as eMMC (4GB), mPCIE (Half or Full Size) , wide range input (7V-36V) , optional metal enclosure and much more.

[Roque]

Which mini-pc's like RPi support PCI-E? Not much, I would say? Do you know any?

The HummingBoard-Edge /Gate is one.

HummingBoard-Edge

HummingBoard-Edge is the ideal M2M platform, it was developed to meet the B2B market demand for for a high performance, reliable and innovative device. The brand new HummingBoard-Edge includes a whole new set of features such as eMMC (4GB), mPCIE (Half or Full Size) , wide range input (7V-36V) , optional metal enclosure and much more.

Thank you! Actually this is a pretty solid board!

What about the HummingBoard-Gate? It also has PCI-E, and is 70$ ! How cheap is that!

Thank you for the finding!

Best,

EDIT: Also, how good are the drivers for these devices?

[tomcat14]

here is a better comparison of all the HummingBoards:
http://wiki.solid-run.com/doku.php?id=products:imx6:hummingboard

What about the HummingBoard-Gate? It also has PCI-E, and is 70$ ! How cheap is that!

I think it comes with all the features (PCI-E and a SIM card socket) you need for cellular/3G.

On the HummingBoard-Edge is a M.2 socket which is mostly used for storage (ssd). So, if you need much more disk space, you can avoid dongles or an external hdd.
There are also 3.5G/4G(LTE) data cards or WIFI cards for M.2, but they do not work with the HummingBoard-Edge. It's because from the M.2 socket only the SATA pins are connected. The M.2 socket is only supported by i.mx6 dual and quad core, the single core doesn't have the SATA function.

EDIT: Also, how good are the drivers for these devices?

I have no experience with one of the HummingBoards.

[nctnico]

I know Telit is a brand of Cellular stuff that is often used. You might be able to plug one of their mini pci-e cards into a standard arm processor board.

I second this suggestion. They also have USB based solutions which identify themselves as a serial port under Linux. Together with pppd it is easy to get an internet connection going (been there, done that).