Lanner has announced a compact, fanless desktop network appliance based on Intel's Atom processor. The FW-7530 includes six gigabit Ethernet ports with optional bypass support, an RJ45 console port, a 2.5-inch drive bay, and a CompactFlash slot, the company says.

Lanner's FW-7530 is yet another product based on Intel's ubiquitous N270 processor, 945GSE northbridge, and ICH7R southbridge. What makes the device more than just a small-footprint PC, however, is the addition of six Ethernet controllers — four based on Intel's 82574L, and two on the chipmaker's 82541PI.

Thanks to these added chips, the FW-7530 sports six gigabit ports, two of them orderable with an optional bypass feature. As a result, Lanner says, the device "can be deployed virtually anywhere" and is particularly suitable for front-line security applications.

Lanner's FW-7530

The FW-7530 also differs from a PC in that it does not have a VGA or DVI video output. Rather, the device is designed for use with a serial console, for which it has a seventh RJ45 connector up front. The front panel also includes two USB 2.0 ports, as shown above.

Lanner says the FW-7530 runs fanlessly, thanks in part to a case that includes an integral heat sink. A single SODIMM slot accepts up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, while an operating system can be installed via a CompactFlash slot or a 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drive, according to the company.

Also cited for the FW-7530 is a Mini PCI expansion slot. Such slots are often used to install wireless networking modules, though such is not likely to be relevant in this particular case.

According to Lanner, the FW-7530 accepts 12VDC input power via an AC adapter that is rated for a maximum output of 60 Watts. We'd suggest that due to the relatively low power consumption of all the chips used in this device, its actual usage won't be far north of 20 Watts.

Features and specifications listed by Lanner for the FW-7530 include the following:

• Processor — 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270
• Chipset — 945GSE northbridge and ICH7R southbridge
• Display — serial console only
• Storage — accepts 2.5-inch, SATA hard disk drive and CompactFlash
• Expansion — Mini PCI slot
• Networking — 6 x gigabit Ethernet ports (4 x 82574L and 2 x 82541PI, with optional bypass on one pair)
• Other I/O:
  • 1 x RJ45 for serial console
  • 2 x USB 2.0
• Power requirements — 12VDC via 60W AC adapter
• Operating temperature — 32 to 104 deg. F (0 to 40 deg. C)
• Dimensions — 7.48 x 5.7 x 1.41 inches (190 x 145 x 36mm)
• Weight — 2.64 pounds (1.2kg)

Availability

According to Lanner, the FW-7530 supports Linux, Windows XP, and Windows 2000w. Pricing wasn't detailed, but the device appears to be available now.

More information may be found on Lanner's website, here.

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