Computer/Embedded Technology


SBC can be hot swapped from active systems

25 October 2000 Computer/Embedded Technology

BVM has implemented fully conformant hot swap on its cPC200 CompactPCI single board computer. It says that, when running Windows 2000, the SBC can be swapped out of an active system without having to power-down and reboot, giving true 'hot swap', even for the main processor board. Of particular significance for high availability application such as telecoms, where multiple CompactPCI racks are often powered from a single main supply, this hot swap capability minimises downtime and revenue losses.

When the injector/extractor handle is operated on the cPC200, an ACPI (active configuration and power interface) event is initiated. Windows 2000 reacts to the ACPI event by putting the SBC into hibernate mode, writing the contents of the SBC's RAM to external hard disk elsewhere in the system. A blue LED light indicates that the board is in hibernate mode; it can then be withdrawn safely from the system. The replacement board is inserted, the first-make, last-break pins ensure correct power-on sequencing, and when the handles are pressed fully home, the new board goes through its boot-up sequence, recovering the dumped memory from its temporary storage on external disc.

The single slot 6U cPC200 is available with up to 256 Mb of DRAM factory-fitted on-board, expandable to 512 Mb via a standard 144-pin DIMM socket. Conforming to the Rev 3.0 CompactPCI specification, the cPC200 uses a Super Socket 7 enabling it to be supplied with processors from a number of different manufacturers.

The unit also has several other advanced features: the on-board PanelLink connector will drive an LCD screen up to 10 m distant, and when used with a USB keyboard and mouse this provides a convenient user interface for many industrial applications. 10Base-T and 100Base-TX networking is implemented on-board using the Intel 82559 single chip controller, with the RJ-45 outlet on the front panel. Also on the front panel are standard PS-2 mouse and keyboard ports, and two USB ports, both supporting 12 and 1,5 Mbps.



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