Axiomtek announced a fanless DIN-rail computer designed to tolerate temperatures from -40 to 158 deg. F. The rBOX204 provides five 10/100 Ethernet ports — four of which supply power — along with an AMD LX800 processor, up to 1GB of RAM, CompactFlash storage, and redundant power inputs, according to the company.

Axiomtek's new rBOX204 is a follow-on to the rBOX200 the company introduced in March. Like that device, it gets a AMD Geode LX800 processor (ironically, the lowlier-named rBOX100 released last year actually had a faster 1.1 or 1.3GHz Intel Atom X5xxPT CPU).

Running at an unstated clock speed, the LX800 is paired with AMD's CS5536 companion chip, while the rBOX204's single DIMM slot accepts up to 1GB of memory. Persistent storage is via a CompactFlash slot, and Axiomtek says it can supply cards with Linux, Windows XP Embedded, or Windows CE 6.0 operating systems on board.

Axiomtek says the DIN-rail-mountable rBOX204 has a terminal block providing two redundant power inputs, accepting DC ranging from 12 to 48 Volts. A VGA port is mounted on top of the machine alongside its power terminals, the company adds.

The rBOX204's front panel manifests what we believe is the only difference between this and the earlier rBOX200 model. Where, before, there was a 25-pin connector offering digital I/O (eight in/out), you'll now find four Ethernet ports that, according to Axiomtek, supply power over Ethernet (IEEE 802.3af).

Other front-panel facilities are the same as before, including another 10/100 Ethernet port that has magnetic isolation protection. There are also two USB 2.0 ports and two RS232/422/485 ports, Axiomtek adds.

Like the earlier rBOX200, the rBOX204 ships with AXView software, enabling system administrators to set up, manage, and monitor remote computers. Based on SNMP protocols, AXView includes management utilities, agent services, and libraries, according to Axiomtek.

Recommended for "unconstrained thermal environments" such as power plant automation, facility monitoring systems, manufacturing automation, and transportation systems, the rBOX204 can operate from -40 to 158 deg. F. The company's data sheet lists a wide range of environmental, safety, EMI, and EMS compliances for the device.

Specifications listed by Axiomtek for the rBOX204 include:

• Processor — AMD Geode LX800
• Chipset — CS5536
• Memory — up to 1GB of DDR400 RAM
• Storage — CompactFlash slot
• Networking — 5 x 10/100 Ethernet (4 with PoE)
• Other I/O:
  • 2 x RS232/422/485
  • 2 x USB 2.0
  • 1 x VGA
• Power — 48VDC; consumption n/s
• Operating range — -40 to 158 deg. F (-40 to 70 deg. C)
• Dimensions — 5.31 x 4.33 x 3.18 inches
• Weight — 3 pounds

Further information

Axiomtek did not cite pricing for the rBOX204, but said the device will be available around the end of August. More information may be found on the rBOX204 product page.

Jonathan Angel can be followed at www.twitter.com/gadgetsense.

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