BlackDog
A USB-powered mobile server with biometric security and isolated computing.
The BlackDog is a pocket-sized, self-contained mobile personal server developed in 2005 by Realm Systems. It plugs into and is powered by a host computer's USB port, using the host's monitor, keyboard, mouse, and Internet connection for input and output while running its own Linux operating system, applications, and data. The device includes a built-in biometric fingerprint reader and is designed to allow a user to work securely on untrusted computers without requiring any installation on the host.
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- Realm Systems
- Connectivity
- USB 2.0, MMC slot, Authentec AES3400 fingerprint reader, multicolor LED
- Os
- Debian-based
- Power
- USB host-powered with small lithium polymer buffer battery
- Cpu
- Xilinx Virtex II-Pro FPGA containing a 400 MHz IBM PowerPC 405 Delta processor
- Storage
- 256 or 512 MB NAND Flash
- Memory
- 64 MB low power SDR SDRAM
- Dimensions
- H×W×L: .50 x
- Weight
- 1.6 ounces
- Successor
- K9
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The BlackDog was first made publicly available for purchase in September 2005 through the Project BlackDog website, coinciding with the announcement of the Project BlackDog Skills Contest on October 27, 2005. The contest aimed to build a developer community and generate interest; winners were announced in February 2006 in categories including Security, Entertainment, Productivity, and Dogpile. The grand prize of US$50,000 was awarded to Terry Bayne for his creation 'Kibble,' a tool using a SOAP-based RPC mechanism to send arbitrary LUA code from the BlackDog to the host PC. Production of the original BlackDog ended in mid-January 2006 when the contest closed.
A second hardware iteration, the K9 Ultra-Mobile Server, was announced at the Open Source Business Conference in February 2006, with expected availability in the third quarter of 2006. However, due to company turbulence, the K9 did not go on sale until early 2009, sold by Inaura, Inc. The K9 featured 128 MB RAM, 1 GB Flash NAND memory, a 60-pin Hiroshi connector replacing the MMC slot, and an OLED display. An intermediate variant, the iD3, shared the same hardware specifications and was intended for corporate use with a matching management router/server, the iD1200.
Realm Systems was founded in 2002 and raised $8.5 million in its Series A round led by GMG Capital. In early 2007, the company dissolved; its assets were bought by Echo Identity Systems in a court-supervised foreclosure. Echo Identity Systems later transferred the assets to Inaura Corporation, which continued to sell the BlackDog and K9 using Olmec Linux.
Reader's Guide
The BlackDog's significance lies in its concept of a self-contained, portable personal server that could be used securely on any computer with a USB port, without leaving any trace on the host. It anticipated later trends in mobile computing and security, offering a way to carry one's entire computing environment—operating system, applications, and data—in a pocket-sized device. The device's biometric fingerprint reader added a layer of physical security. Its legacy is marked by the community efforts it inspired, such as the Project BlackDog Skills Contest and the independent repository maintained by contest winner Michael King after Realm Systems closed. The transition from Realm Systems to Echo Identity Systems and then to Inaura Corporation reflects the challenges of bringing such a novel product to market. The BlackDog's software evolved from Debian Sid to Olmec Linux, a Debian-derived distribution for embedded platforms. Although the official website was later defaced, the device remains an early example of USB-powered, isolated computing environments.
Did You Know?
- The BlackDog was powered entirely by the USB port of a host computer, requiring no external power adapter.
- The original BlackDog presented itself to a Windows XP host as a virtual CD-ROM drive, then switched to a virtual Ethernet adapter.
- The K9 variant had a 1.1-inch OLED display with 96x64 resolution in 4-bit grayscale.
- The grand prize winner of the Project BlackDog Skills Contest received US$50,000 for creating 'Kibble.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BlackDog?
The BlackDog is a pocket-sized portable server that was introduced in 2005. It connects to a host PC via USB and runs its own independent Linux environment, letting you carry your full workspace on a single small device.
How does the BlackDog connect to a computer?
It draws all its power from the host's USB port and borrows the host's display, keyboard, mouse, and network connection for input and output. No software installation on the host machine is needed at all.
What hardware is inside the BlackDog (K9 model)?
The K9 variant packs a 400 MHz processor, 128 MB of RAM, and 1 GB of Flash NAND storage. It also features a tiny 1.1-inch OLED screen (96×64, 4-bit grayscale) and a built-in fingerprint reader for biometric access.
Who developed the BlackDog and what happened to the company?
Realm Systems created the device in 2005 and continued working on it through 2007. The company was later succeeded by Inaura, Inc.
Why do fans consider the BlackDog a notable design?
It was one of the first consumer devices to offer a fully isolated, self-contained computing environment that could be securely used on any untrusted machine. Its combination of USB power, biometric login, and zero-install operation made it a pioneer in portable, privacy-focused computing.
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