The Tarantula rugged computer has six hardware-independent I/O modules and is designed to replace several workstations using virtual machine technology. It has an enterprise-level Layer 2 or Layer 3 intelligent switch for high-speed connectivity.
The rugged embedded computer consists of a host CPU module and 18-port intelligent Gigabit Ethernet switch module housed in one low-profile, lightweight package that is smaller than a shoe box, GMS officials say.
The server optimizes processing performance of each SVM, speeds data in and out of the box, supports many I/O devices and has ability to overlay live video between different applications.
Intel's most powerful Xeon processor, the Ivy-Bridge-EP, is the host CPU driver and has 10 physical cores each operating to 2.4 GHz, with the ability to TurboBoost to 3.0 GHz. Support for hyperthreading expands its capability to 20 logical cores.
Tarantula dynamically allocates these cores in real-time as needed by each of to six virtual machines and their individual application requirements. The host CPU supports one 4-lane PCI Express XMC site, one 10 Gigabit Ethernet port, four USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports with power, two serial ports with RS-232/422/485 buffers, full HD-Audio, and eight general-purpose I/O lines.
Tarantula's intelligent Gigabit Ethernet switch functions are powered by a 416 MHz MIPS CPU (with 128 megabytes of DRAM) that controls the (to) 18 Gigabit Ethernet ports and a second 10 Gigabit Ethernet port, which comes with the option of copper or fiber. The system supports managed Layer 2 and Layer 3 functions such as VLAN and QoS processing.
For more information contact General Micro Systems online at www.gms4sbc.com.
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