Thinclient – IGEL-3 /4 (3210 CE)

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Infomatie (ENG)

Bron / source

Model Vintage Processor Speed Memory Power consumption
Flash RAM type Off Running
IGEL 2100CE 200? Via Eden 400MHz 128MB 256MB PC2700 9W 20W
IGEL 2110CE 200? Via Eden 400MHz 128MB 256MB DDR2 PC533 7W 15W
IGEL 3210CE 2007? Via C7 600MHz 128MB 256MB DDR2 PC533 7W ~19W
IGEL 4210LX 2008? Via C7 1GHz 128MB 256MB DDR2 PC533 2W ~23W
IGEL (UD2) D200 2011 Via Eden 500MHz 1GB 512MB DDR2 PC533 1W 15W
IGEL (UD3?) M300C 2009? Via Eden 800MHz 1GB 512MB DDR2 PC533 7W 16W
IGEL W 2002? NS Geode GxMedia 233MHz 8MB 32MB (SO)DIMM PC100 0W ~16W

The label on the side of this unit identifies it as an Igel-3 /4 which is not much use as they use different numbers and names in their literature. I find Igel’s labelling extremely unhelpful and there is also a lack of information on their website on older models to help you identify exactly what you’ve got your hands on. Luckily their distributors are slower about deleting brochures on old models. Another thing that didn’t help here was that the flash memory had been wiped – so I got no handy model number from that!

After I little research, I decided this was one of the Compact model range. The initial models comprised the 3200 CE, 3200 LX and 3600 XP. These used a 550MHz VIA Eden CPU. (The data sheet doesn’t identify the Northbridge chip but I think it was a CLE266). Subsequently there were the 3210 CE, 3210 LX and 3210 XP. The CPU clock rate was uprated to 600MHz and the Northbridge chip was the CN700. One of the serial ports was removed and replaced with a DVI connector in addition to the normal VGA connector.

As it has a 600MHz CPU, 128MB Compact Flash card, a Microsoft Windows sticker and a DVI port, mine is a 3210 CE model.

The photograph above on the right compares it with the 2100. It’s wider and just slightly taller so maybe ‘compact’ is a suitable name when you compare it to the Winestra range which is significantly larger. Also in the photo you’ll notice my unit is missing the cover over the USB port.

There is nothing on the hardware that indicates the date of manufacture. However IGEL’s website does give the following support information:

Model End-of-life End-of-maintenance Final Firmware
3200 CE Compact    31.12.2006    31.12.2009 5.04.016
3200 LX Compact    31.12.2006    31.12.2009 3.10.100
3600 XP Compact    31.12.2006    31.12.2009 1.04.100
3210 CE Compact    31.01.2009    01.02.2012
3210 LX Compact    31.01.2009    01.02.2012
3610 XP Compact    31.01.2009    01.02.2012

Specifications

The basic specs for the 3210 CE are:

Processor
   Type
Speed
Via C7
600MHz
Memory
   Flash
RAM
128MB
256MB (max 1GB)
Video
   Chip
Max resolution
VGA
DVI
Via CN7001920 x 1440 24-bit colour
1600 x 1200 24-bit colour
Ports
   Video
Network
USBSerial
Parallel
PS/2
DVI & VGA
10/100
1 x USB2.0 front
2 x USB2.0 rear
1
1
Kybd & Mouse
Power
   Off
Running
7W
19W
Dimensions
W x H x D 4.3cm x 24.0cm x 22.5cm

CPU

For those to whom it matters here is some detail from Linux’s /proc/cpuinfo

vendor_id : CentaurHauls
cpu family : 6
model : 13
model name : VIA Eden Processor 600MHz
stepping : 0

Power Supply

The IGEL 3210 CE has an internal power supply. The mains connector is a standard IEC connector.

Expansion

Both the Flash memory and the RAM in the 3210CE are easily replaceable.

Flash: The flash memory is a Compact Flash card plugged into a socket adjacent to a 44-pin IDE connector.

RAM: There is a single 200-pin DDR2 SODIMM socket for the RAM. The 256MB DIMM supplied with the unit is labelled: 256MB DDR2 533 192036-4165 and is manufactured by Transcend. I have successfully upgraded this to 512MB (Hynix HYS64T64020HDL-3S-B and a Transcend 512M DDR2 533 SO-DIMM CL4) and to 1GB (Samsung M470T2953EZ3-CE6). A 2GB part did not work – but I didn’t expect it to as I believe the CN700 only supports a maximum of 1MB per SODIMM. (See here).

Smartcard: The system is also fitted with a smartcard reader. This is internally connected to the fourth USB port. Note: The smartcard reader normally fits just above the RAM and partly over the 44-pin IDE connector/CF card – you can see one of the mounting points there on the front metalwork. The other is slightly recessed but partly visible towards the left-hand end of the SODIMM. I temporarily removed the reader when I was taking the photograph. That area of the board with the reader refitted is shown in the photograph below.

If you want to fit an internal drive then there are a number of possibilities:

  • Use a Microdrive in the Compact Flash socket.
  • Use a 1.8″ drive.
  • Remove the smartcard reader and fit a 2.5″ drive.

In the latter two cases you’ll need to be inventive in how you mount the drive.


Foto’s

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igel-3-4_02

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igel-3-4_label