Computers Today, October 1-15, 1999, Marvels; Honey, I Shrunk The Web Server

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October 1-15, 1999 MARVELS

Honey, I Shrunk The Web Server

By Kavita Kaur

With iPic, the server computer now has shrunk to the size of a match-head.

It's too good to be true, but it could happen soon. Your alarm clock wakes you up at the set hour. It also activates the coffee maker in the kitchen and the heater in the bathroom. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm water greet you when you wake up. Doubt it? Thanks to iPic Web server, the world's tiniest implementation of a TCP/IP stack and a HTTP Web server, science fiction may soon become reality.

Under the Hood

Developed by Hariharasubrahmanian Shrikumar, a 33-year-old Indian student at the University of Massachussets, US, the "match-head" Web is 400 times smaller than a regular Web server. It can send and receive text, graphics, sound and Java applets over the Net. Best of all, it costs less than a dollar.

Technology freaks will not complain. The iPic server comprises of PIC 12C509A processor running at 4 MHz which includes all components of a complete computer (including the CPU, memory, serial port interface circuitry, and clock oscillator). Running over the TCP/IP stack, the chip includes a Web server and a file system to manage multiple files on a tiny EEPROM chip. The Web server is connected directly to a router. There is no intermediary host-all the packets from your client server are processed directly on the PIC ship. In operation since July 14 this year, the iPic site is visited by 5,000 people daily.

Connect IT

Technological marvel aside, iPic offers a host of benefits. With shrinking size and cost, you can now connect virtually any device to a network, and can control it from there. It means no more running around for user manuals to change settings or calling technicians for small problems. With large and user-friendly menus and buttons, iPic puts an end to confusing buttons and knobs on devices such as microwaves, VCRs, DVD players and TV sets. By embedding the iPic chip in these appliances, you can be in control-navigate a portable fan, change settings in your alarm clock and even set timings for recording of your favourite TV programme on Star World-with just a couple of mouse clicks.

Similarly, office gadgets can be connected to the Internet using the iPic technology. Take the case of the laser printer. Normally, you need to get up from your seat and walk upto the printer to check the error messages it flashes on its tiny LCD screen (out of paper or paper jam). However, once equipped with the iPic, all such information would be available at your desktop, in your Web browser. Another set of potential candidates for shrinked TCP/IP stacks are cellular phones, pagers and personal organisers. With low power requirements, small Web servers such as iPic are ideal for cellular phones to provide real-time information anywhere, anytime.

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