Real Time Logic has released a free demo version of the BarracudaDrive application server for NSLU2 and the Unslung Linux firmware.

BarracudaDrive is a secure application server with an integrated scripting language, database engine, WebDAV server, Web File Manager, very small SSL server, HTTPS tunnel, and various SLL VPN clients for the HTTPS tunnel. BarracudaDrive is assembled by using the various plugins from the Barracuda Embedded Web Server. An application server, which should not be confused with a web server, is an operating system that can load and start auxiliary applications.

The NSLU2 (Network Storage Link for USB 2.0 Disk Drives) is a 133MHz ARM powered device made by Linksys. It makes USB Flash memory and hard disks accessible over a network (NAS).

Running the BarracudaDrive application server on the NSLU2 and using an external USB flash memory for storing the database files, yields an application server that is virtually maintenance free. Technically, the server should run maintenance free 24/7 for a good 20 years.

The SQLite database engine and the Lua scripting language are integrated into the BarracudaDrive server. The server supports what is known as Lua Server Pages (LSP). BarracudaDrive LSP applications are deployed as standard ZIP files. The ZIP files, which are in the "applications" sub directory, are loaded, mounted as read only file systems, and started by the application server. The integrated scripting language LSP is similar to how ASP and PHP works. The server can also load "non deployed" applications. The "non deployed" LSP are compiled on demand just like PHP and ASP pages are compiled.

The server comes with a Content Management System (web page creator) and an Electronic Bulletin Board implemented by using LSP. The server also comes with an application designed explicitly to help new users configure the server by using a browser.

Developers can customize and write their own applications by using the integrated LSP engine. The integrated database engine makes it possible to create configuration less database powered applications such as the CMS. The server also includes Bindows, a "zero-footprint" Rich Internet WEB 2.0 Application framework. Database and AJAX powered WEB 2.0 applications such as the included Electronic Bulletin Board can easily be developed using the BarracudaDrive application server.

barracudadrive.net