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        Low-cost network appliance has six gigabit Ethernet ports

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Oct 26, 2010 | Comments: 1


        Axiomtek announced a 1U network appliance that uses Intel Atom D410 or D510 processors and provides six gigabit Ethernet ports. The NA-320 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.

        Obviously aimed at small or medium-sized businesses, the NA-320 is at the other end of the performance scale compared to the similarly 1U-sized NA-510 Axiomtek released in August, which offers Core i3, i5, and i7 processors. It's claimed, however, that the hyperthreading capabilities inherent in the NA-320's single-core Atom D410 or dual-core Atom D510 allow the device to perform adequately in multitasking environments.

        Axiomtek's NA-320

        According to Axiomtek, the NA-320 is 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.

        Equipped with Intel's ICH8M I/O controller, the NA-320 is expandable to 2GB of DDR2 memory. Mass storage, meanwhile, is provided by both a 2.5-bay for an SATA hard disk drive and by a CompactFlash Type II slot, says Axiomtek.

        The front of the NA-320, 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-320 includes an internal PCI Express Mini Card slot, which may be used for installation of a wireless networking card. Equipped with a watchdog timer, the device may be operated in temperatures from 32 to 104 deg. F, the company adds.

        Features and specifications listed by Axiomtek for the NA-320 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-320 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-320 will be available around the end of November. More information may be found on the device's product page, here.

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