By Timothy Resker, VP Sales, Channel Access
In the application server space, manufacturers are starting to move towards PCI Express and away from supporting PCI slots, particularly full-height, full-length PCI slots. This presents a problem for developers deploying voice applications utilizing the CG Series and AG Series full-length PCI boards. Up to this point in time, the solution has been to utilize an application server that supports the requisite number of full-height, full-length PCI slots, at the expense of choosing the server that best fits the requirements of the application itself. Now, an alternative solution is available that allows developers to utilize any application that best meets their needs, regardless of whether the server can support the requisite number of full-height, full-length PCI slots.
PCI Expansion Enclosures from Carlo Gavazzi Computing Solutions support anywhere from two to nine full-height, full-length PCI boards and have been validated with the Open Access product line. These enclosures connect to the application server utilizing two-meter cables and either half-height PCI or PCI Express adapters that install in the server, eliminating the need for the server to have any full-height, full-length slots. Two enclosure models are available:
The XP-SB enclosure is a 1U rackmount chassis complete with power and cooling. It supports either two or three full-height, full-length PCI slots and utilizes a Star Fabric-based connection to a half-height PCI adapter that seamlessly bridges into the server’s PCI bus.
The XP-10E enclosure is a 4U rackmount chassis complete with power and cooling. It supports nine PCI slots and one PCI Express slot and utilizes an X4 PCI Express link to a half -height PCI Express adapter that seamlessly bridges into the server’s PCI Express bus. Options for redundant power supplies are available for the XP-10E.
More details on these expansion products may be found at www.cg-cs.com/expansion. For pricing and delivery information contact Channel Access, the authorized distributor for the XP Expansion Enclosures, at sales@channelaccess.com.