These devices variously employed either previously released ATX-format motherboards from Kontron, or a PICMG (PCI Industrial Manufacturers Group) SBC (single board computer) attached to a passive backplane. The new KISS 1U Short KTQM67, however, is said to employ a Mini-ITX motherboard, a height of just 1U (1 x 1.75 inches), and a depth 25 percent less than "standard rackmount servers."

Kontron doesn't say which of its Mini-ITX motherboards was used for the new server, but for what it's worth, we're guessing it's a variant of the KTQM67M/mITX. That board (pictured) was released not long after Intel's "Sandy Bridge" Core processors made their debut, and features both the QM67 Express chipset and support for up to 16GB of RAM.

According to Kontron, the KISS 1U Short KTQM67 accepts Core i3, i5, or i7 processors clocked at up to 3.8GHz. The device has an internal bay for a 3.5-inch hard disk drive (6Gbit/sec. SATA), plus front-accessible slots that accept an optional external drive and a slim DVD drive, the company adds.

Kontron's KISS 1U Short KTQM67
(Click to enlarge)

The KISS 1U Short KTQM67 is said to have four front-mounted USB 2.0 ports -- apparently hidden behind the blue cover shown in our picture. Rear ports, meanwhile, derive directly from the main board's coastline, and include six additional USB 2.0 ports, three gigabit Ethernet ports, a DVI-I port, two DisplayPort connectors, and two serial ports, says Kontron.

Also included on the back of the KISS 1U Short KTQM67 are triple 3.5mm jacks for audio (mic in, line in, and line out). These aren't likely to be called upon for a server, but they were already present on the motherboard, so Kontron retained the connectors for good measure.

Finally, Kontron says the KISS 1U Short KTQM67 includes either a PCI Express x16 expansion slot or two half-size PCI slots. (This differs a little from what was cited for the original KTQM67M/mITX board, said to combine PCI Express x16 with a PCI Express x1 slot and two Mini PCI Express slots.)

According to Kontron, the KISS 1U Short KTQM67 may be used in temperatures ranging from 32 to 158 deg. F, and on AC power ranging from 100 to 240 Volts. It optionally accepts 24VDC power, the company adds.

Specifications listed by Kontron for the KISS 1U Short KTQM67 include:

• Processor -- supports Sandy Bridge Core i3, i5, or i7 processors with speeds up to 3.8GHz
• Chipset -- Intel QM67 Express
• Memory -- up to 16GB of DDR3 RAM
• Storage -- 1 x 3.5-inch SATA internally; 1 x 3.5-inch SATA external (optional) and slim DVD drive (optional)
• Expansion -- 1 x PCI Express x16 slot or 2 x half-length 32-bit PCI
• Networking -- 3 x gigabit Ethernet
• Other I/O:
  • 10 x USB 2.0 (4 front, six rear)
  • 1 x DVI-I
  • 2 x DisplayPort
  • 2 x RS232
  • audio -- mic in, line in, line out
• Power -- 100~240VAC; 24VDC (optional)
• Operating range -- 32 to 158 deg. F
• Dimensions -- 19 x 13.78 x 1.75 inches
• Weight -- 15.4 pounds

Kontron did not cite pricing, but did note that the KISS 1U Short KTQM67 -- which supports either Windows or Linux -- is now available in EMEA, and will be available in North America and APAC in the second quarter. More information may be found on the KISS 1U Short KTQM67 product page.

Jonathan Angel can be reached at jonathan.angel@ziffdavisenterprise.com and followed at www.twitter.com/gadgetsense.

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