Kontron's KISS 4U KTQ45 is said to be aimed at "computing-intensive embedded applications such as test and measurement, image processing, process control and video surveillance." The device is built around the company's previously released KTQ45/ATXE motherboard, designed to support either of two 45nm processors Intel introduced last year while promising seven-year availability for both. The Core 2 Duo E8400 is a dual-core CPU with a 3.0GHz clock speed, 65-Watt TDP, 6MB second-level cache, and 1333MHz FSB (frontside bus). The Core 2 Quad Q9400 is a quad-core CPU with a 2.66GHz clock speed, 95-Watt TDP, 6MB second-level cache and a 1333Mhz FSB.

According to Kontron, the KTQ45/ATXE supports the above processors via use of Intel's Q45 Express chipset (right), which includes the GMCH (graphics memory controller hub) 82Q45 northbridge and the ICH (I/O controller hub) 10DO southbridge. The GMCH 82Q45 is cited as supporting both DDR2 and DDR3 memory, with FSB speeds from 800MHz to 1333MHz. Meanwhile, the ICH 10DO provides functionality such as 12 USB 2.0 ports, up to six SATA ports, an Intel TPM (trusted platform module) 1.2, and support for RAID levels 0, 1, 5, and 10, Intel says.

The KTQ45/ATXE includes four DIMM-240 slots, capable of accepting up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, plus four PCI expansion slots and a PCI Express slot that accepts either x4 or x16 cards. The motherboard also includes six SATA ports, one of which meets the ESATA spec, and five of which are RAID-capable SATA150/SATA300, according to Kontron.

Kontron's KISS 4U KTQ45

Most, if not all, of this functionality is carried over to the built-up KISS 4U KTQ45, which comes in a case (above) that may be used as a tower, desktop, or 19-inch rack-mounted chassis, says Kontron. Inside, in addition to the motherboard, there are five externally accessible drive bays -- three 5.25-inch, two 3.5-inch, and one using Kontron's own SLIM format -- plus one internal 3.5-inch bay, according to the company.

Kontron says rear-panel interfaces on the KISS 4U KTQ45 include a VGA port, two gigabit Ethernet ports, two serial ports, two USB 2.0 ports, and two gigabit Ethernet ports. The device's front panel, meanwhile, offers two USB 2.0 ports, the company adds.

KISS stands for "Kontron Industrial Silent Server," and this device is claimed to produce a noise level that's inaudible against normal conversation, despite incorporating a 500-Watt power supply and cooling fans. Meanwhile, Kontron's PCCM (PC condition monitoring) allows remote monitoring, while the TPM offers secure hardware encryption of all transferred data, the company says.

Features and specifications listed by Kontron for the KISS 4U KTQ45 include:

• Processor:
  • Core 2 Duo E8400, with 3.0GHz clock speed, 65-Watt TDP, 6MB L2 cache, and 1333MHz FSB
    
  • Core 2 Quad Q9400, with a 2.66GHz clock speed, 95-Watt TDP, 6MB L2 cache, and 1333Mhz FSB
• Memory -- Up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM, via 4 DIMM-240 slots
  
• Storage:
  • 3 x 5.25-inch drive bays (externally accessible)
  • 3 x 3.5-inch drive bays (1 internal, 2 externally accessible)
  • 1 x SLIM bay
• Expansion:
  • 4 x PCI (KTQ45/ATXE)
    
  • 1 x PCI Express x16 or 1 x PCI Express x4 (shared slot)
• Graphics -- VGA output, and flat panel support via optional ADD2 cards
  
• Networking -- 2 gigabit Ethernet ports
  
• Other I/O:
  • 4 x USB 2.0 (2 front; 2 rear)
    
  • 2 x RS232
    
  • 2 x PS/2
    
  • 1 x VGA
    
  • 6 x SATA (1 x SATA, 5 x SATA150/SATA300 with RAID 0/1/5/10 support)
    
• Operating temperature -- 32 to 122 deg. F (0 to 50 deg. C)
• Dimensions -- 19 x 18.6 x 6.96 inches (482 x 474 x 177mm)
• Weight -- 33 pounds (15kg)

Further information

According to Kontron, the KISS 4U KTQ45 supports Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows XP Embedded, and Linux. The system is available in EMEA now and will be available in North America and APAC later this year, the company says.

More information on the KISS 4U KTQ45 may be found on the Kontron website, here.

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