Advantech Quad Core Blade Stimulates CPCI Equipment Upgrades

Advantech MIC-3393 CPCI Board (click image to zoom by 2.1x)

Advantech MIC-3393 CPCI Board (click image to zoom by 2.1x)

Today’s introduction of the MIC-3393 quad core Intel® Xeon® blade gives a significant performance boost for legacy CompactPCI equipment upgrades, extends product longevity and eliminates the need for costly system architecture redesigns. The features, modularity and adaptability of MIC-3393 make it an attractive upgrade option for telecom and networking applications.

Modular Design with Extendibility Options to Suit Networking Applications

Advantech’s MIC-3393 provides a unique, modular architecture for application evolution by offering significant I/O extensibility coupled with a wide range of configuration options. A single-slot version of the blade provides server-class, dual core Intel® Xeon® processing power, extending into a dual-slot version for optimal cooling on quad-core models. In dual-slot configurations, two extension modules are available: one dual PMC/XMC extension module provides extended I/O with front panel connectivity and can be interchanged with a storage-centric extension module exploiting Intel® Storage Matrix Technology and Intel® Rapid recovery on two 2.5” SATA hard disks in RAID 0 or 1 configurations.

“The board’s features and adaptability make it a compelling upgrade option in telecom and networking applications such as high-end IP-PBX’s, softswitches and gateways as well as in network testing, monitoring and CTI,” said Peter Marek, Technical Director of Advantech’s Blade Computing Division. “Other market segments where customers will appreciate the technology are rugged computing and industrial-grade workstations. In multiprocessor configurations, the MIC-3393 will allow cost saving through a reduced set of blades or differentiation through a higher performance offering,” he added.

Further state-of-the-art features include leading edge GbE performance thanks to the virtualization and offload features of the Intel 82574L and Intel 82566 controllers. The Intel 82574L supports Extended Message Signaled Interrupts (MSI-X) allowing individual network flows to interrupt different CPU cores and interrupts to be directed to virtual machines, improving interrupt load distribution for best-in-class performance.

High Availability, Graphics, and IPMI-based Chassis Management

Overall I/O connectivity can be further expanded by an innovative rear transition module design. For storage, the RIO-3311 module incorporates an LSI 1064e SAS controller offering mixed SATA/SAS gen2 device configurations, and it supports external port expanders as well as hot-plug. Each port can be used internally or externally facilitating system design. For example, internal crossover cables between SAS drives and RIO-3311 pairs allow for fully redundant SAS topologies in HA environments or in cluster controller redundancy.

For graphics, the module provides XGI Z11 PCIe-based server graphics supporting 1600 x 1200, 64K hi-color via a VGA connector. Additional COM and USB ports are also routed to the rear I/O module.

Compared to similar CompactPCI blades, the MIC-3393 has the advantage of being available in a single slot version and provides soldered ECC memory for optimal cooling and reliability. Further memory expansion is optional via two SODIMM slots. The use of latest generation LAN technology offers improved LAN support through virtualization technology features.

Avocent IPMI firmware and onboard BMC ensure full IPMI 2.0 plus Serial-over-LAN support, facilitating integration into legacy platforms with IPMI-based chassis management modules. Enhanced AMI BIOS provides features such as redundant flash support for failsafe operation, TPM support, and a wide range of boot options from storage and LAN.

Windows XP 64-bit, Windows Server 2003/2008 and various Open Source Linux versions are supported. The board is fully released and available for evaluation now. For more information please contact your local sales team, visit us at www.advantech.com/NCG or E-mail to NCG@advantech.com.