GuruPlug

Lore & Background

The GuruPlug is a successor to the SheevaPlug in the area of small and low-power computing. The first versions of the GuruPlug Plus had no moving parts such as fans, which combined with the low-power ARM architecture CPU resulted in lower power consumption and noise levels compared to desktop PCs. However, these units had significant heating issues and were prone to overheating; the lack of a temperature sensor could form a safety issue when the unit is left running for multiple days.

Newer versions of the GuruPlug Plus manage the overheating problem by adding a 2-cm fan to the design, although this eliminates the benefit of the silent design. The fan is not software-controllable and makes a sound resembling that of a hair dryer. The standard version of GuruPlug still has no fan and thus produces no noise.

The GuruPlug comes in three variants: GuruPlug Server Standard, GuruPlug Server Plus, and GuruPlug Display. The Plus version features a second Gigabit Ethernet, an eSATA port, and a MicroSD slot. The Display version features an HDMI display port.

Reader's Guide

The GuruPlug represents a notable step in the evolution of low-power, always-on computing devices, following the SheevaPlug as its predecessor. Its compact form factor and Linux operating system made it suitable for a range of network services such as web serving and print serving, while its NAND Flash storage and expandability via USB and Serial ATA ports allowed for flexible storage configurations. The device's significance is tempered by its thermal design challenges: early fanless Plus units suffered from overheating and lacked a temperature sensor, posing a safety risk during extended operation. Later revisions addressed this by adding a non-software-controllable fan, but at the cost of introducing noticeable noise. The standard fanless variant remained silent. The three variants—Server Standard, Server Plus, and Display—offered different connectivity options, including dual Gigabit Ethernet, eSATA, MicroSD, and HDMI, catering to different use cases. The GuruPlug's legacy lies in demonstrating both the potential and the practical pitfalls of ultra-compact, low-power server hardware.

Did You Know?

• The GuruPlug is a successor to the SheevaPlug in small and low-power computing.
• First GuruPlug Plus versions had no moving parts and were silent but prone to overheating.
• Newer GuruPlug Plus versions added a 2-cm fan that is not software-controllable and sounds like a hair dryer.
• The GuruPlug Display variant includes an HDMI display port.