&quot;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.&quot;<p>This statement is rather enticing because I have been executing this exact process for years using one of the free, open source kernel&#x2F;userland options available for download.  The &quot;OS&quot; is kept small and runs entirely in RAM.  Works well enough for my purposes.<p>It is also interesting to juxtapose this statement against the usual negative comments on HN anytime the discussion turns to building home routers using &quot;basic computers&quot;.<p>But maybe the meaning of &quot;basic computers&quot; by the journalist here is not what I think it is.