Rugged 48-Port Managed Gigabit Ethernet Switch from Aitech Interconnects Multiple Subsystems

Chatsworth, Calif. May 2015 – Aitech Defense Systems Inc., a pioneer in true embedded and mission critical computing technologies for environmentally-demanding, mission-critical applications, now offers the rugged A661, offering the largest number of GbE ports in a robust military qualified enclosure.

The new standalone, fully managed, Layer 2/3 IPv6 48-port Gigabit Ethernet switch efficiently and securely interconnects several subsystems to pass data across a rugged broadband network.

Durable and robust enough for use in several military, aerospace and LEO space environments, the radiation-tested and qualified A661 is ideal for interconnecting weapons platforms to multiple independent data servers creating large, compute clusters and interfacing to data archive drives. For example, it can provide control and data pathways to remote experiment Low Earth Orbit platforms including the International Space Station.

The compact 2 x 24 GbE switch unit is comprised of two of Aitech’s Series 400 conduction-cooled C660 24-port Ethernet switches encased in a durable, lightweight, cold plate-cooled enclosure. It is EMI/RFI-protected and housed in a rugged chassis to withstand severe shock and vibration as well as exposure to environmental elements, such as altitude, humidity and temperature extremes.

Complete with its own operating system (OS) and Ethernet application, this new, managed switch requires no additional user code and functions and operates as a stand-alone unit.

An integrated, low-power, radiation-tolerant ARM Sheeva CPU core operates at 800 MHz, acting as a management and service processor and interfacing with a high-speed DDRII-320 MHz memory controller.

The C660 boards within the A661 support Layer 2 and Layer 3 routing and switching for all 48 ports via a Marvell Presera 98DX4122 multi-layer packet processor. All ports support connections up to 1000Base-T and offer many features such as auto negotiation, auto MDI/MDIX, HOL blocking prevention and flow control (IEEE 802.3x).

To enhance reliability and serviceability, the A661 includes BIT (Built-In Test) and board management devices including a system power controller, elapsed time recorder, temperature sensors and a real time clock. The system also provides full wire-speed non-blocking forwarding and advanced spanning tree algorithms to reduce data bottlenecks and minimize packet latency.

Additional management and configuration features include quality of service (QoS) prioritization, SNMP, VLANs, LAG, RSTP, VRRP, IGMP and traffic policing, providing customers the power and flexibility to meet their unique networking applications.

In place of harnessing, Aitech’s proprietary solid-state transition module routes I/O signals between the backplane and the front panel connectors. This significantly enhances signal integrity and increases reliability by reducing discrete wire harnesses. In addition, an input power line filter integral to the transition module reduces induced or radiated EMI/RFI noise associated with the power cable.

Rugged, military-grade MIL-STD-38999 connectors on the front panel provide system power and I/O connections. Radiation tested and qualified for low Earth orbit, lower power versions of this switch are ready for space flight.

Technical Specifications:

48-port (2 x 24) managed Gigabit Ethernet switch (all 1000Base-T ports)

Rugged, compact, and lightweight construction; cold plate-cooled

Stand-alone unit with internal OS and Ethernet application

Layer 2 and Layer 3 management

Port-level security via 802.1x

Low Earth Orbit versions are also available

For more information please call 888-Aitech-8 (888-248-3248), visit http://www.rugged.com/a661-2-x-24-port-rugged-managed-ethernet-switch-0 or e-mail sales@rugged.com.

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ABOUT AITECH:

Established in 1983, Aitech offers military and space-qualified, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) embedded computing products for rugged defense, aerospace and astronautics (space) applications as well as provides radiation tolerant and full MIL-SPEC solutions.

The company provides industry-standard, open architecture VMEbus, CompactPCI and high speed serial fabric-based boards, power subsystems, mass memory, enclosures and hardware subsystem integration along with logistics, configuration control, component obsolescence and earned-value management services.

Having pioneered the development of true military VMEbus products for use in mainstream defense and aerospace applications, Aitech utilizes its broad base of off-the-shelf products and technologies to also develop customer-specific solutions, deliver superior cost-performance and reliability, and expedite time to market.

Applications for its products range from mission processors, fire control, mission control and autonomous robotic subsystems for ground vehicles as well as surface and subsurface naval platforms to tactical and strategic fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and low- to high-earth orbit and deep space vehicles.