Acrosser has introduced a pair of console servers that run Linux and offer eight serial ports. The ACS-N5430FL and ACS-N5630FL are equipped with Intel Core 2 Duo or Celeron M CPUs, hard disk or CompactFlash storage, plus DVI-I, S-Video, and VGA video outputs, the company says.

Acrosser's ACS-N5430FL and ACS-N5630FL are designed to be a single point of access to multiple connected devices, such as servers, routers, or switches. To that end, each of the devices includes eight serial ports — three RS232 and five RS232/422/485. Four of the serial ports use a special DB44 connector and offer magnetic isolation, allowing safer connection of outdoor devices, the company says.

The ACS-N5430FL and ACS-N5630FL look identical and, as far as we can determine, offer the same functionality. However, Acrosser says the ACS-N5430FL employs Intel's 945GM northbridge and ICH7M southbridge, and is available with the Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 clocked at 2.16GHz, the Core 2 Duo T2500 clocked at 1.86GHz, the Celeron M 730 clocked at 1.73GHz, or the Celeron M 440 clocked at 1.86GHz.

The higher-performance ACS-N5630FL, meanwhile, employs the GME965 northbridge and ICH8M southbridge, and is said to be available with the 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo T7500 or the 2.0GHz Celeron M 550. Acrosser adds that the ACS-N5630FL supports 24-bit LVDS via an onboard pin header, while the ACS-N5430FL similarly supports LVDS, but only up to 16 bits.

Both ACS devices offer up to 2GB of RAM via a single SODIMM socket, provide a 2.5-inch bay for an internal hard disk drive, and sport both SATA II and IDE interfaces, according to Acrosser. In addition, each console server also has a Type II CompactFlash socket, the company adds.

Ports on the rear of Acrosser's ACS-N5630FL and ACS-N5430FL
(Click to enlarge)

In addition to the serial ports already mentioned, other interfaces include DVI-I, VGA, and S-Video outputs, dual gigabit Ethernet ports, four USB 2.0 ports (two external, two via pin headers), and a PS/2 connector for a keyboard and mouse. The ACS-N5630FL and ACS-5630FL also include eight-bit digital I/O, says Acrosser.

Operating system support is said to encompass Linux, Windows XP Embedded, Windows XP, Windows CE, and Windows 2000. The systems come with programmable watchdog timers, plus hardware monitoring for CPU voltage, system temperature, and fan speed, Acrosser adds.

Features and specifications listed by Acrosser for the ACS-N5430FL and ACS-N5630FL include the following:

• Processor:
  • ACS-N5430FL — Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 clocked at 2.16GHz, Core 2 Duo T2500 clocked at 1.86GHz, Celeron M 730 clocked at 1.73GHz, or Celeron M 440 clocked at 1.86GHz
  • ACS-N5630FL — Core 2 Duo T7500 clocked at 2.2GHz or Celeron M 550 clocked at 2.0GHz
• Memory — Up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM via single SODIMM slot
• Storage — 2.5-inch hard disk bay
• Networking — 2 x gigabit Ethernet with RJ45 connectors
• Other I/O:
  • 3 x RS232 and 1 x RS232/422/485 via DB9 connectors
  • 4 x isolated RS232/422/485 via DB44 connector
  • Line audio output
  • 8-bit digital I/O
  • 1 x VGA
  • 2 x DVI-I
  • 1 x S-Video
  • 1 x LVDS via pin header (24-bit on ACS-N5630FL, 16-bit on ACS-N5430FL)
  • 4 x USB 2.0 (2 external, 2 via pin header)
  • 1 x PS/2
  • 1 x SATA II
  • 1 x IDE
• Expansion — CompactFlash Type II socket
• Power requirements — 12VDC input via external AC adapter
• Operating temperature — 0 to 50 deg. C (32 to 122 deg. F)
• Dimensions — 9.88 x 6.49 x 2.63 inches (251 x 165 x 67mm)

Availability

Acrosser did not release pricing or availability information for the ACS-N5430FL or ACS-N5630FL, but the devices appear to be available now. More information may be found on the Acrosser website, here.

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