Routerboard and caching

Hi all,

I am looking to use a Routerboard 230 as a router on an offshore gas rig. If I use a large indoor case and mount an IDE HDD, can I run the OS from the flash and just use the HDD for cache data storage?

Cheers

Also, will the routerboard IDE socket provide power to a 2.5 laptop HDD or will it require external power?