Multi-PC Demo Box

[KenBytes]

OK, I have a challenge for you. I need to create a demo box that is portable and contains at least 4 computers. I was thinking of using SBC's like the LattePanda and something like a NAS case like the ones Fractal makes.  But Fractal boxes are for NAS's which I'm not building.  This demo box might be sitting on a conference table in a conference room so it needs to be quiet.  I need to be able to plug all the PCs into a network and attach external KB, Mouse, Monitor and obviously it would need to connect to a projector. And the PC's will need to run Windows and Linux dual boot.  And cost is always a factor but whatever it becomes needs to work whatever the cost.  What do you recommend that I could use, assuming I could even find the parts rather than build it from scratch myself?  The reason I was thinking NAS box is because the 4 PCs, if they were SBC's may actually need an internal NAS but LattePanda's support NVMe drives onboard so it might not be necessary. The software being demo-ed does not REQUIRE a lot of horsepower but demos would benefit greatly from more HP if its available. Any help is appreciated.

[Manderis]

Did you think about virtualization?

 

Set up one system with many cores, maybe Threadripper. If you get dedicated GPUs and USB pcie cards for hot swapabillity you can use unraid to make those virtual machines. 

 

Seems like a fun project. The other alternativ i can see is either finding or building a case that supports 4 ITX or mATX boards. 

[KenBytes]

Unfortunately it needs to be separate computers because that is ultimately what is being demo-ed. The software is networking software so virtualization defeats the purpose.  Looking at cases, they all seem to support only 1 computer.

[Manderis]

You could use dedicated Network cards

 

You can find multiple dual motherboard cases. Maybe 2 of them will also fulfill your needs? Or you need to let someone do a custom build it for you.

 

[KenBytes]

Ultimately the only real hard part is getting the right enclosure. I thought maybe a mATX, iATX case could be modded to mount 4 to 6 SBCs.  The LattePandas come with onboard network and I could mount a small network switch in the enclosure so I'd have a single external ethernet to customer's network.  Same requirement for power, KB, Mouse, Monitor so a KVM might be needed too.

[brob]

Have you considered using 1U or similar rackmount mini-ITX cases?

[Manderis]

A little server cabinet will probably do. There are some with wheels. Only problem i see is access to USB and Video but i bet you can figure something out. Maybe hubs or smth like that

 

https://www.serverschrank24.de/netzwerkschrank/10-zoll/10-zoll-schrank/

 

just a german site but you will figure it out i suppose

[KenBytes]

I was hoping to be able to lug this thing around on my back without a dolly. The SBC's are quite small, not much bigger than a couple of iPhones stacked ontop of each other.  I was thinking this would be a fun project for LTT, something different from the fastest, most expensive gaming system.  LTT has done that a lot.

[Manderis]

https://github.com/LattePandaTeam/LattePanda-3D-Models

 

If something as low powered a an SOC is sufficient for your needs you might need to take the dimensions and build a case yourself.

In my city there is a place like a DIY workshop where you can use a lasercutter for a little amount of money.

You can build something like that and either stack it or build an all in one case.

https://www.lattepanda.com/products/8.html

[KenBytes]

OK that is interesting, thanks. I was kindof expecting to have to build something myself, just thought LTT might have more knowledge on what was available.

[Manderis]

You will only very rarely find some ltt staff here. The forum is mostly community. 

 

OR a really easy and obvious choice, buy 4 lattepandas plus cases and build a cabinet for those. Just measuring and a little bit of woodwork with regular tools. Leave some place for ventilation or even put in a little fan to force breath it and be done with it.

[KenBytes]

Oh I forgot to mention that this is the SBC I was planning to use.

LattePanda Alpha