Dreamplug Development Kit for WiFi Projects
Dreamplug Development Kit for WiFi Projects
Dreamplug is development kit computer from GlobalScale Technologies that is based on the Plug Computer program.
“A plug computer is a small form factor server, intended to provide network-based services within the home. Built on a Marvell system-on-chip, the Marvell plug computer enables high-performance, always-on, always-connected, and environmentally-friendly computing that is readily available for developers. Unlike other embedded devices in the home it contains a gigahertz- class processor designed to offer PC-class performance.”
I discovered this device while looking for an alternative to buying a Raspberry Pi development board. The Dreamplug is priced higher than the $35 Raspberry Pi but is a full kit unlike the Raspberry Pi solution which I believe is just the board and power supply and requires the user to supply the SD Card, OS, and enclosure.
Below is a photo of my unit plugged into a power strip under my desk with a Netgear WG111v2 USB adapter and output from airmon-ng, airodump-ng, aireplay-ng, and kismet commands.
airmon-ng command output
airodump-ng command output
aireplay-ng command output to test injection
Kismet
Dreamplug Specifications and Unique Power Adapter
The Dreamplug is a complete development kit for under $200.
1.2GHz Kirkwood 88F6281 processor
Linux 2.6.3x Kernel
512MB 16-bit DDR2, 800 MHz
512MB NAND Flash
2 x GbE 10/100/1000 Mbps
2 x USB 2.0 ports (Host)
1 x eSATA 2.0 port, SATA 3Gb/s 1 x SD socket for user expansion/application
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR
Audio interfaces
5V 3A DC power supply
If you remove the power power adapter from the Dreamplug body it looks like it isn’t much bigger than the Raspberry Pi board.
Dreamplug Video Options
If your project requires a video out interface a newer model called the D2Plug is available from GlobalScale. The D2Plug is about $275 and has a VGA out and an HDMI interface.
ARMADA 510 processor, 800MHz
1GB DDR3-800 x32 bus
Boot from SPI NOR Flash
Linux OS and Ubuntu roots in 8GB eMMC
One Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbps port
Two USB 2.0 host ports
One eSATAp – Powered eSATA & USB 2.0 host combo port
One USB 2.0 device port
One SD card slot
One HDMI 1080p output port with CEC
One VGA output port
Audio line out
One MIC in
One S/PDIF optical out
One console port (USB)
One JTAG connector
Integrated 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi & Bluetooth v3.0 + HS
D2Plug Side View
View of my D2Plug with VGA, USB keyboard/mouse, and network cable.
D2Plug Ubuntu GUI
Very usable graphical user interface with Firefox and several other apps preinstalled.
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Filed under: Gadgets
Not being a developer, I don’t fully follow the post on the device and what its purpose is. What development does one use this device for?
Using similar plug platform you could make a pen test device like this group http://pwnieexpress.com/eliteplug.html
If you have some success you could then have manufacturer create same device in bulk for you.
I could see some type of guest access / bandwidth limiting device that you could make.
Did you have to install any drivers for the USB wifi? Or did the OS automatically register and install the wlan card via USB?
I ordered one of these, and so far pretty neat. I should have ordered the JTAG along with it, but ordered after I received because the JTAG would make it so much easier to work with.
It comes with a built in WiFi and the Netgear USB WiFi I had worked without any driver install.