Industrial server gets dual-core processors

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 6, 2006

Industrial server is RoHS compliant with small installation depth, long-term availability, quiet operation (less than 3 dBA) and rugged design.

RoHS compliance, small installation depth, long-term availability, quiet operation (less than 35dBA) and rugged design are some of the features of Kontron's next generation industrial server.

Kiss Short will be on display at the Hannover Fair (24th to 28th April) with dual-core processors for the first time.

OEMs can save money by using dual-core based servers, which allow the integration of controls that previously required separate dedicated systems (for example industrial PCs and PLCs) and visualisation in one system with the right software adaptation.

This means that only one computer is needed for control and visualisation tasks - even for critical and highly complex real-time applications.

Applications for the server can be found throughout the automation pyramid: from computers used in the field or in manufacturing processes - for example in the manufacture and preparation of cut goods such as plastic film, paper, textiles or sheet metal - up to Sada systems in control centres, which have interfaces to the management level in parallel with manufacturing control.

The servers are equipped with the T2500 Intel Core Duo processor and the Mobile Intel 945GM Express chipset and offer 2GHz dual-frequency at 31W, 667 FSB, and 2Mbyte L2 cache.

The systems are also available with an Intel Core Duo L2400 processor with 1.66GHz dual-frequency or with an Intel Core Solo T1300 1.66GHz processor.

The latter processor has lost one core to reduce waste heat; however it supports virtualisation technology and thus, apart from the lower performance and the reduced L2 cache, offers the same advantages to embedded systems developers.

The servers save around a third the space required by conventional designs in a 19in enclosure, making this space available for rear-lying cable ducts and dock-ons.

Despite the reduced installation depth, the servers - which are designed to be lead-free in the future in compliance with RoHS legislation - remain flexible, with three to nine PCI expansion slots for I/O assemblies and up to six hard drive connections, three of them Raid with Sata.

Two hot-swap fans make it simple to maintain these robust and shock-resistant systems, which have a specified MTBF of 50,000 hours (5.7 years of constant operation).

The systems, which OEMs and end-users will be able to re-order for five years, will be used in the tough environmental conditions of the materials processing industries, offshore, mining or railway transportation, as well as test and measurement, image processing and medical technology.

The Kiss-Short has eight USB 2.0 (two of which are front-side accessible), one Gigabit Ethernet, PS/2 for keyboard and mouse, one serial and one parallel port, and audio as standard interfaces.

There is enough room for three 13.3cm and two 8.9cm bays, as well as a slimbay slot, all of which are front-side accessible and shock-resistant mounted.

A further 8.9cm bay is available inside.

The housing for the Kiss system comes in tower, desktop and 19in enclosure versions.

The lockable front cover offers IP20 protection.

Designed for continuous operation, Kiss systems are CE certified and UL qualified.

The servers are available off the shelf as standard systems but can be customised as needed and delivered thoroughly tested and independently certified.