Axiomtek announced a fanless, desktop network appliance that uses Intel's Atom D510 processor and provides six gigabit Ethernet ports. The NA-320FL includes both hard disk and CompactFlash storage, accepts up to 2GB of RAM, and has a PCI Express Mini Card expansion slot, the company says.

"FL" means "fanless" in Axiomtek-speak, and in fact this sums up the only difference between the new NA-320FL and the company's previously announced NA-320. When we covered the latter product in October, we made no mention of cooling one way or another, because the manufacturer hadn't 'fessed up, but we now know that a fan lurked inside the earlier device.

Externally distinguished only by its cover, which has been redesigned to better dissipate heat, the NA-320FL (right) has the same dimensions (9.05 x 5.98 x 1.73 inches) as the NA-320, and is said to have the same operating range (32 to 104 deg. F). The device again employs the dual-core Atom D510 processor and ICH8M I/O controller, according to Axiomtek.

The NA-320FL is said to be suitable for VPN, firewall, unified threat management, bandwidth control and network management applications. The device has six gigabit Ethernet ports, using Intel 82583V controllers or, optionally, Intel 82574 controllers, the company says. LAN bypass capabilities are also cited, though without word on how many of the ports this applies to.

The NA320-FL accepts 2GB of DDR2 memory, according to Axiomtek. Mass storage, meanwhile, is provided by both a 2.5-bay for an SATA hard disk drive and by a CompactFlash Type II slot, the company adds.

The front of the NA-320FL, pictured earlier in this story, bears only LEDs that monitor power, hard disk status, link activity with transfer rate, and LAN bypass. The rear (right) includes the six gigabit Ethernet ports already mentioned, two USB 2.0 ports, and a serial port with RJ45 connector. Axiomtek notes that BIOS output is redirected to the latter, making setup unproblematic.

According to Axiomtek, the NA-320FL includes an internal PCI Express Mini Card slot, which may be used for installation of a wireless networking card. The watchdog timer cited for the NA-320 is not cited here, but we can't say whether this is an actual technical difference or merely an omission on the company's part.

Features and specifications listed by Axiomtek for the NA-320FL include:

• Processor — Intel Atom D410 or D510, both clocked at 1.66GHz
• Chipset — ICH8M
• Memory — up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM
• Storage — 2.5-inch bay for SATA hard disk drive and Type II CompactFlash slot
• Expansion — 1 x PCI Express Mini Card slot
• Networking — 6 x gigabit Ethernet, with configurable LAN bypass
• Other I/O:
  • serial console port with RJ45 connector
  • 2 x USB 2.0
• Power — 12VDC via AC adapter; consumption n/s
• Operating range — 32 to 104 deg. F
• Dimensions — 9.05 x 5.98 x 1.73 inches
• Weight — 5.51 pounds

Further information

According to Axiomtek, operating system support for the NA-320FL includes Red Hat Linux 2.6. Windows support was not detailed, but of course may be taken for granted due to the device's use of a familiar Intel chipset.

While it did not cite pricing, Axiomtek says the NA-320FL will be available in early January 2011. More information may be found on the company's product page.

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