Local Media MicroServers are one application of a new breed of MicroServers. Powerful, compact and low-wattage, these new MicroServers support hundreds to thousands of users and are completely portable. How would you use them?

1. Local Media Server
PORTABLE LOCAL MEDIA MICROSERVER
| Portable Media MicroServer, MicroServer, Local Media Server, Green IT, Green Computing,
Solar Powered Servers | September 30, 2012

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Morse Wireless Local Media Server
Enter the MicroServer
Powerful, low-wattage MicroServers are poised to make profound changes in how we use
computing. Whether those changes are in cloud datacenters or in everyday use by non-IT people,
MicroServers are going to change the computing landscape. This paper provides one example of
what can be accomplished using this new genre of computing platform. For point of clarification, a
MicroServer is any server platform that is compact, consumes significantly less electricity than
previous generations of servers, yet supports a significant number of users. For more information
on the Era of MicroServers, please see http://www.scribd.com/doc/98241595/The-Era-of-
MicroServers .
Local Media Server
A local media server is enabled by the compute power and portability of a MicroServer. If a
MicroServer can support thousands of users while drawing less than 100 Watts, then the
MicroServer can be run from a relatively small battery or some small number of solar panels. This
allows powerful computing solutions to be completely portable.
The number of tablets and smart phones is increasing dramatically. If you take any small or large
event, there is a very good chance the spectators will own a smart phone or tablet. There are
millions of events per year that could benefit from using a media server that provides a local,
wirelessly-accessed web application that contains information expressly for that event and not in
the “cloud”. Using a hosted web application that is accessible via smart phone, laptop, netbook, or
tablet is the main mechanism employed today, but it consumes precious user bandwidth and is
slow for media viewing. Having a local media solution that is accessible via high speed wireless
connections and doesn’t consume a user’s internet bandwidth allotment is preferable for a variety
of reasons.
Why Have a Local Media Server?
Because it is difficult to keep up with various activities of any ongoing event from a single-person
observer perspective, it would be valuable to event attendees to be able to access pictures and
videos in near real time about the event. With a wirelessly accessible Local Media Server,
designated event attendees could upload unique photos and videos from their perspective of the
event and they can be shared with others immediately. The concept is very similar to what
commercial media organizations do with large events, but a Local Media Server brings the concept
into everyday reality for any size event at relatively low cost.
The types of events where this type of solution can be useful include, but are not limited to;
1. Local leagues for all kinds of sports.
2. School sports and games of all sizes and types.
3. Small regional tournaments for a variety of sport types.
4. Local/regional fairs and art shows.
5. Shopping malls and large stores.
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6. Large weddings and other personal events.
7. Auto Sales events.
8. Trade shows
9. Other convention types
10. Charity events.
11. Many other types of events.
All of these event types would be enhanced through the use of a Local Media Server. Further, in the
case of commercial events, there are a large number of commercial options to enhance awareness
of products or provide special offers directly to event attendees. For example, in the case of a
commercial event where there are many vendors and one vendor is experiencing slow sales or poor
attendance, a discount coupon can be advertised to local attendees to drive short term sales or
attendance for that specific vendor. Local offers could be made in real-time for only local attendees
thereby not conflicting with offers on the general web site of the vendor
Disaster Relief and Local Media Servers
There are other potential uses for Solar and battery powered Local Media Servers. In the event of a
catastrophe where the local cell towers become disabled and power is out, Local Media Servers that
are accessible wirelessly can play a very important role in disseminating information about the
disaster. Cities and towns can easily set up these types of wireless environments around the City
Hall or Police and Fire Stations to provide a critical service to local inhabitants. Further, mobile
disaster relief vehicles could be outfitted with these low cost media servers and be used to co-
ordinate remote fire-fighting or rescue operations without relying on satellite or other modes of
communication that may not be available.
Training, Data Collection and Remote Location Learning
Portable, solar-powered MicroServers have significant benefit for organizations that need to
accomplish training or information gathering and research in remote locations. Imagine being able
to hold multi-terabytes of training information, or data from research, in a low cost, compact,
portable solution. The low wattage requirement of this new generation of MicroServers enables
organizations to accomplish computing goals that were once thought too expensive or bulky to be
economically feasible.
Solutions are available now
Many people reading this document will perceive these types of solutions to be available sometime
in the future. The truth is, they are available now by combining existing technology from a few
vendors. For example, by combining industrial grade solar panels from Silicon Energy
( http://www.silicon-energy.com ) with MicroServers from US Micro PC ( http://www.usmicro.com
http://www.crikit.info ) and a low-wattage monitor and wireless router from any number of
vendors, anyone can create this new type of portable computing solution.
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Summary
Local Media Servers are just one example of what can be accomplished with MicroServers and
portable and non-portable sources of electricity. With the advent of compact, low-wattage, but
powerful, MicroServers, organizations have completely new computing and electrical options
available to them for a wide variety of implementations and innovation. This innovation seems to
be bounded only by the limits of imagination and will surely bring about new and societally-
advantageous solutions.
http://www.crikit.info
http://www.clouademia.com
http://www.usmicro.com
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