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Thread: Project: Sentinel

  1. #1
    If it isn't stock, it's modded! slaveofconvention's Avatar
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    Default Project: Sentinel

    This project is something I started quite a while ago, but am now looking to finish it. Ironically, I no longer need it, but I'm still going to finish it anyway...... Some of you may have seen the start of this on another forum, but it's new here and as I'm about to start working on it again, I figured it was as good a time as any to start my own log here on TBCS....

    I'd been thinking, for a while, about building a dedicated firewall PC based on the excellent Smoothwall linux distro, and as I recently got my hands on some spare (ancient) hardware, there is no longer any reason not to....

    The basic task comes down to getting this PC....



    Into this CD Case....



    With a few tweaks along the way (the original case IS almost double the size of the new one....

    So, first things first - find out what needs to move. As it's a dedicated firewall, it doesn't need an optical or floppy drive - just the mobo, cpu, ram, vga card and hard disk out of this little mess here, along with a pair of new 10/100 NICs, some cooling, a new PSU and some lighting too I expect.



    I was hoping just to basically move the guts across and lock them against the side and base of the new case, but that won't be possible as some essential connectors are on the BACK of the daughterboard. (For those of you young un's who have never heard of a daughterboard - its a smaller board which plugs into the motherboard and provides additional functionality - in the case of this old Compaq, the Motherboard has the standard I/O ports, processor, ram, and thats about it - the daughterboard provides PCI slots, IDE ports and the main connector for power)



    So before I get started with anything more drastic, I figured I should make sure the damned thing will physically fit inside - one stripped down compaq and 5 minutes of drilling out rivets on the Aluminimum case and....



    It fits - JUST - now I just have to figure out where I can sneak in the drive and PSU.

    More coming (fairly) soon - I've never been one to rush these things....

    I just changed the name of the project from Hardcase to Sentinel - however, I'm still open to other suggestions, although I admit I DO like Sentinel. In the meantime, if anyone can think of a decent name for the project, feel free to suggest it - remember its a dedicated firewall, and I'm pretty much decided on red lighting and a fire style etch on the window I'm putting in the top of the new case, so something to do with fire or protection or the hard case or somethin - idn - thats why I'm askin you guys :p
    Last edited by slaveofconvention; 10-23-2005 at 02:19 AM. Reason: New title for project

    Current Projects: Lobo | Unimatrix | High Voltage | Antec 900 Revamp (Phase 2)
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  2. #2
    Fox Furry crenn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Project: Hardcase

    I remember thpse things.... my friend got one (and wanted to know if it would play Doom3 better than he's P4 system ) and I pulled it apart...... to clean the damn thing.....

  3. #3
    If it isn't stock, it's modded! slaveofconvention's Avatar
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    Default Re: Project: Hardcase

    Yeah it was pretty mucky when I got it - think it's a PII 366 with 32MB ram originally - guy I got it from had added another 32 and I stuck in a 3rd os it'll be up to 96MB. Still no rocket but more than enough to run a dedicated linux firewall on

    Current Projects: Lobo | Unimatrix | High Voltage | Antec 900 Revamp (Phase 2)
    Completed Projects: General Lee | Synergy Green | Liquid Yellow
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  4. #4
    If it isn't stock, it's modded! slaveofconvention's Avatar
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    Default Re: Project: Hardcase

    Quick Update:

    I got on with stripping out the (soon to be) new case, and found, to my disappointment that it isn't aluminium at all, but cheap nasty wood with a metal layer over it so a little more work to do now making it safe (ie fire-resistant and properly grounded)



    As for CPU cooling, as you can see from this pic....



    The CPU is actually passively cooled with a shroud over it designed to draw in cool air coming in through a front intake. As I don't want the thing to melt on me, figured I should re-create the intake in roughly the same place, so I cut out a blowhole in the side panel under one of the handles (Hmm, it's going to be an intake, does that mean I should call it a suckhole?)



    And as I'm obsessed with tidiness, I fitted what is actually meant to be a subwoofer air intake tunnel (courtesy of www.maplin.co.uk) to keep it neat



    Looks neat and tidy, which is never a bad thing... While I was cutting, I also took the time to cut a hole in the lid for a window - you'll notice it's well off-centre - I plan to mount the hard disk and or PSU in the lid next to the window... Time will tell what actually ends up in there but at least I definitely have the space available - after all, it's a LOT easier to make a window bigger than it is to make it smaller!!!



    You can just see the inner tunnel of the intake thru the window, but that won't be staying - it needs to be cut down or I can't fit a fan!

    Note to all - spend the money, get a diamond dremel bit - they're expensive but they just go and go. I went thru 3 normal cutting disk cutting 2 INCHES of the internal chassis of this old compaq - the diamond one so far has cut about 2 feet of steel, and altho it looks a lil charred, it's still going just fine...

    While I was already chopping chunks out of the outer case, I quicky fitted a power switch and a couple of chrome LED holders. The original PC has no reset button, nor any connectors for one, so power is all thats needed. To keep with the shiny metal outer style, I used a nice little vandal-resistant switch along with the Chrome LED holders...



    Next I'm going to have to do some semi-minor surgery on the internals - need to be able to get a exhaust fan in there somewhere, and the current mounting for the daughterboard blocks about 1/3 of the window...

    Anyway, enough for now - back soon

    Comments always welcome, of course :p

    Current Projects: Lobo | Unimatrix | High Voltage | Antec 900 Revamp (Phase 2)
    Completed Projects: General Lee | Synergy Green | Liquid Yellow
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  5. #5
    High-tech Redneck crazybillybob's Avatar
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    Default Re: Project: Hardcase

    Slave,
    Where did you get your power button from? (link to website if possable!)
    I've got 2 bumps the go on the back of R2's head and those would look Great there (painted blue of course! :p ) I've seen others use them but never asked.

    Thanks,
    Crazybillybob

  6. #6
    Fresh Paint
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    Default Re: Project: Hardcase

    Something like this, CBB?

    http://www.frozencpu.com/ele-70.html
    'I'm gonna cut yer heart out wit' a SPOON!'

    Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman), Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves

  7. #7
    If it isn't stock, it's modded! slaveofconvention's Avatar
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    Default Re: Project: Hardcase

    I got mine in a trade with a guy on another forum - he got a Belkin 5 port 10/100 switch and I got 2 of those switches and 2 coolermaster Red LED fans. You can get em all over the place though - just look for vandal resistant or vandal proof. They are, unfortunately, stupidly expensive here in the UK, and I think there in the US its worse if that link is anything to go by - although I saw them incredibly cheap on an Australian website not so long ago - meant to buy a dozen or so and completely slipped my mind until just now lol

    [EDIT]: Ok, so I decided on a new name - this is now called Project: Sentinel - other suggestions are still welcome, but to be honest, I do kinda like the name Sentinel

    [SECOND EDIT] Vandal Proof Switches from Australia - http://www.ozgear.com.au/electronicp...ays_Fuses1.htm - $5AU is about £2UK or $3.75US - might be worth seeing if they'll ship internationally at that price.....

    [THIRD EDIT] Dammit, the site says they only accept orders from within Australia - dunno if you know anyone over there who'll do the business for you - I just emailed the ex and asked her if she'd pretty please get me 10 and mail em to me

    Current Projects: Lobo | Unimatrix | High Voltage | Antec 900 Revamp (Phase 2)
    Completed Projects: General Lee | Synergy Green | Liquid Yellow
    Planned Projects: K-9-PC | Limey

  8. #8
    If it isn't stock, it's modded! slaveofconvention's Avatar
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    Default Re: Project: Sentinel

    Smallest update I'll probably ever put up but.... Just realised that there's nothing to attach anything to. The wood the case is made up of is extremely thin so screwing into it will almost definintely result in coming straight out the other side, so I dropped a sheet of nice thick 9mm MDF into the bottom - the extra weight should help reduce vibrations, and hopefully it'll also help keep the noise down too.



    I also got my hands on some sound deadening pads from a auto-repair centre - I'm going to line the whole case with them - they're black, sticky-backed, fire resistant and flexible so they should keep down noise, look pretty good, and help solve the safety issues I was concerned about when I first realised what the new case was made of....

    [EDIT] CrazyBillyBob - try this - http://www.action-electronics.com/switches.htm#Push - $3.75 US each - a little cheaper than the $20 on that other link, although these are solid metal, they don't have that illuminated ring on them....
    Last edited by slaveofconvention; 10-23-2005 at 03:03 AM. Reason: Correction - MDF is 9mm not 19mm

    Current Projects: Lobo | Unimatrix | High Voltage | Antec 900 Revamp (Phase 2)
    Completed Projects: General Lee | Synergy Green | Liquid Yellow
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  9. #9
    If it isn't stock, it's modded! slaveofconvention's Avatar
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    Default Re: Project: Hardcase

    Need ya help people - I was originally planning on making a custom etch for the top window - I was going to base it on the chemical warning symbol for flammable as it's a firewall, but now I'm thinking about maybe something like a knight with a shield - something more like a sentinel - except I'm not even sure what a sentinel really would look like - any ideas?

    Current Projects: Lobo | Unimatrix | High Voltage | Antec 900 Revamp (Phase 2)
    Completed Projects: General Lee | Synergy Green | Liquid Yellow
    Planned Projects: K-9-PC | Limey

  10. #10
    Water Cooled
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    Default Re: Project: Hardcase

    do a google image search for "centurion" that will give you some good stuff
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