[ised]

"The next step... is to merge the different components by using basic computers and have software turn it into servers, storage devices or routers as needed."

This statement is rather enticing because I have been executing this exact process for years using one of the free, open source kernel/userland options available for download. The "OS" is kept small and runs entirely in RAM. Works well enough for my purposes.

It is also interesting to juxtapose this statement against the usual negative comments on HN anytime the discussion turns to building home routers using "basic computers".

But maybe the meaning of "basic computers" by the journalist here is not what I think it is.

[boulos]

In this context, "basic computers" means Commodity/Off The Shelf. Instead of buying some high-end "enterprise" server from Sun / HP / Dell, using a regular cheap (enough) box and lots of them. This started with servers, but you now see standard x86 boxes being turned into high-speed packet processors ("routers") instead of paying someone like Cisco $15k for a switch.