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Raspberry Pi Zero: the $5 computer

raspberrypi.org

231–240 of 521 posts

Re: Raspberry Pi Zero: the $5 computer

#232
post #112

Fantastic development, but I can't help but think about the years of pain we're going to be in security wise when people inevitably start using these for all sorts of "Internet of Things" purposes. Software stacks on these type of devices inevitably have lackluster cipher suites, sub-par protocol support, unpatched kernel/userland, etc—even if they run all the latest things out right now, they WILL get out of date an…

Not sure what you mean by "these type of devices", but you will be overjoyed that on Raspbian, updating the system is as easy as `apt-get udate && apt-get -y upgrade`, the kernel is currently v4.1.13 [1], and the rest of your comment is also FUD. [1] https://github.com/raspberrypi/firmware/blob/master/boot/ker...

I wouldn't call it FUD. Embedded devices tend to get updated less frequently than PCs. Connecting them all to the internet is not helping.

Re: Raspberry Pi Zero: the $5 computer

#233

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please do write about it. Personally, I'll be happy to steal as many ideas as I can for my upcoming home installation :).

Great, I'll give it a shot tomorrow. I also have a mini-ecosystem of Python scripts to communicate with the sensors over serial and to read values, etc. I'll post that as well.

Great! :). Will be refreshing /new/ tomorrow.

Re: Raspberry Pi Zero: the $5 computer

#234

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm speculating, rather sooner than later, the foundation will let people (read Chinese) clone Pi Zero at will ala Arduino way. They can't even have a profit margin with that price point. So why not open-source it anyway to let go of the burden of manufacturing? That would be a great boost for the Raspberry platform.

raspberry avoid this by using chips only supplied to them.

Where are those chips actually made? ;).

Re: Raspberry Pi Zero: the $5 computer

#235

I don't see anything about Ethernet/Wi-Fi. Am I missing something? I understand they had to cut some features to reduce the prize. But networking is such a fundamental requirement for these types of systems, you'd think that it would be the last feature to be excluded.

The networking on the other Pis is attached via USB. It's a very easy and obvious thing to drop.

Exactly. If you need Ethernet, a USB-to-Ethernet adapter is $1.50 on AliExpress including free shipping from China.

Re: Raspberry Pi Zero: the $5 computer

#237
post #112

Fantastic development, but I can't help but think about the years of pain we're going to be in security wise when people inevitably start using these for all sorts of "Internet of Things" purposes. Software stacks on these type of devices inevitably have lackluster cipher suites, sub-par protocol support, unpatched kernel/userland, etc—even if they run all the latest things out right now, they WILL get out of date an…

And thank God for that. I'm totally fine with securing critical infrastructure, bank/e-mail accounts and such, but infosec has a magical tendency of sucking joy out of everything. That insecure DIY light controller at my neighbours', you know what it is? Fun. :).

Re: Raspberry Pi Zero: the $5 computer

#238

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So you're basically saying you're not getting enough value for $5?

No, but like the Op, I would gladly pay double the price for some sort of onboard network connectivity.

There's a kickstarter I backed called C.H.I.P. that is exactly this.

It's very similar in specs to the pi but comes with onboard wifi and bluetooth for $9 pre-shipping!

Re: Raspberry Pi Zero: the $5 computer

#240
I'd like an updated Compute Module. Given how small the Pi Zero is, it should be doable to fit it inside the layout and with the connectors of a MiniPCIe board (though, of course not with the pinout).

Also, the compute module has support for USB Slave mode but there is no documentation for this - I'd like to see some expansion in this area as well.

Or choosing of a CPU with a MII interface to allow real GBit or, heck, fiber/powerline/wifi adapters...

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