Editing FreedomBox

The [http://freedomboxfoundation.org FreedomBox Foundation] is an open source project (separate from the [[FreeNetworkFoundation|Free Network Foundation]]) to develop an interface and software stack based on Debian (GNU/Linux) to run on plug computers owned by individuals to return control and ownership of data and logs to the users. The project may or may not specify and sell specific hardware; the FreedomBox concept applies to any low power, long-running personal server providing network and social services operating from a user's premises.

The FNF would like to integrate individuals' FreedomBoxes as edge devices of the free network, meshing with or (even serving as) [[FreedomNode|FreedomNodes]]) and providing connectivity to end user devices (laptops, phones, etc). The functionality of FreedomBox and FreedomNode could overlap and be served by a single device in many situations; in others having a distinct "building-scope" Node and several "individual-scope" Boxes would make more sense.

"FreedomBox" is sometimes abbreviated to "'''FBx'''".

== Software ==

Possibly [http://wiki.hacdc.org/index.php/Byzantium Byzantium] in addition to what the FBx project comes up with.

[http://www.amahi.org/ Amahi] is an independent "personal server" linux distribution that might also be appropriate for FBx-like devices; see [http://wiki.amahi.org/index.php/Ubuntu here] for a 32-bit Ubuntu-based release.

[https://code.commotionwireless.net/projects/commotion Commotion] is an OpenWRT-based firmware distribution for use with meshed networks, and might be used for [[FreedomNode|FreedomNodes]] or some FBx-like devices. "Full-strength" FBx devices should probably run a larger distribution.

== Hardware ==

A number of off-the-shelf network devices could act as a FreedomBox; see the FBx wiki pages on [http://wiki.debian.org/FreedomBox/HardwareRequirements HardwareRequirements] and [http://wiki.debian.org/FreedomBox/TargetedHardware TargetedHardware].

Depending on the owner's needs, existing hardware (unused laptop?) or easily available commodity routers costing less than ***$50*** running a subset of FreedomBox functionality may be sufficient (such routers generally have poor compute and I/O resources for running a regular debian stack, and run firmware like OpenWrt or pfSense instead).

=== DreamPlug ===

[[File:dreamplug_photo.jpg|thumb|x300px|alt=dreamplug photo|DreamPlug device]]

The initial hardware device chosen for FreedomBox (and used by most project developers as of Summer 2012) is the GlobalScale DreamPlug. This device is widely available online, costs about '''$175''', has a 1.2GHz Marvell ARM processor, 512MBytes RAM, microSD flash storage (slow!), two GigE ethernet ports, and basic integrated Wifi connectivity. 

* [http://globalscaletechnologies.com/p-54-dreamplug-devkit.aspx GlobalScale's DreamPlug page]
* [https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/wiki/doc/TorDreamPlug Tor on a DreamPlug]
* Available from [http://www.amazon.com/Globalscale-DreamPlug-036000291452-Class-Server/dp/B0053GBB5Y amazon.com],  [https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&tbm=shop&q=dreamplug google shopping]

=== Genesi EFIKA MX Smarttop ===

Was suggested as a possible FreedomBox, but is no longer in production. Cost '''$130'''.

800MHz ARM Freescale i.MX515 processor, video (HDMI), 512MB RAM, 8GB internal Flash, 802.11 b/g/n, 2x USB ports, SD slot, 100Mbps ethernet, power consumption around 5 watts.

* [http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/efika Manufacturer's info page]
* [http://freenetworkfoundation.org/pipermail/builders_freenetworkfoundation.org/2011-November/000038.html Mailing list thread about this hardware]

=== Excito B3 ===

Yet another popular home server product, oriented towards file storage (NAS), but with strong debian-based support. Costs around '''$400''', WiFi version more. 1.2GHz ARM processor, 2x GigE ethernet ports, 512MB RAM, eSATA connection, 2x USB host ports, consumes 8+ watts (with hard disk), no fan.

* [https://www.excito.com/ Manufacturer's website]

== More Resources ==

* [https://freedomboxfoundation.org/ FreedomBox Foundation website]
* [http://wiki.debian.org/FreedomBox FBx wiki] (at wiki.debian.org)

{{FNFProject}}