This month’s Linux User & Developer is a little light on my content, thanks to my being tied up with work on the book. I did find time to do a small review, however: the TonidoPlug 2.

Supplied by NewIT, the TonidoPlug 2 is a twist on the Marvell SheevaPlug concept: a small low-power ARM processor is placed in a compact case along with some RAM and a chunk of solid-state storage for the operating system. The result is a teeny-tiny server which takes up little more room than the power brick for most laptops, and yet which offers full programmability and some impressively advanced features.

The TonidoPlug 2, like its predecessor, differentiates itself from other devices on the market by having room for a 2.5″ solid-state or spinning-disc hard drive in the casing itself. The supplied operating system – Linux-based, naturally – makes use of this by tying in to the Tonido website and offers private cloud-based storage facilities.

It’s a clever idea, but can it live up to expectations? Well, you’ll have to read this month’s Linux User & Developer to find out, won’t you?

More information is available on the Linux User & Developer website.