Moxa announced a rackmount embedded computer intended for industrial automation, with four PCI expansion slots and four gigabit Ethernet ports. The DA-710 has a 2.0GHz Intel Celeron M processor, a CompactFlash slot, SATA and IDE interfaces, two serial ports, plus four USB 2.0 ports, the company says.

Moxa says its 4U-high rackmount computer is suitable for industrial automation applications, particularly those in power substations. A key to the system's capabilities is said to be its four PCI expansion slots, which accept optional modules including the following:

• An eight-port RS-232/422/485 module (available with isolation, DB9 or terminal block)
• A four-port 10/100 Mbps LAN module
• An eight-port RS-232/485 module
• An eight-port 10/100 switch module
• An eight-port RS-422/485 module
• A "universal" PCI expansion module

Even without these modules, the DA-710 (pictured below) provides a number of interfaces. For example, the system has four gigabit Ethernet interfaces with RJ45 connectors, four USB 2.0 ports, four digital I/Os, and two RS232 serial ports, according to the company.


The Moxa DA-710

The DA-710's tall case also is said to provide room for two SATA-150 interfaces and an IDE interface, presumably backed up by a hard disk bay to go with each, though this wasn't specified. In addition, Moxa says, the device has a CompactFlash slot and a bootable DOM (disk on module) available with Windows Embedded Standard 2009 or Linux installations. (A 2GB DOM is required for the former, and a 1GB DOM for the latter, the company adds.)

According to Moxa, the DA-710 has VGA and PS/2 ports on its rear panel. The front panel, meanwhile, is decked out with LEDs that show when power is on, display the status of as many as eight Ethernet ports, and may also be programmed to monitor the functionality of the modules listed above, when installed. A watchdog timer and alert buzzer are also included, says the company.

The Moxa DA-710's front and rear panels
(Click to enlarge)

Moxa says the DA-710 runs fanlessly, employing a 2GHz Intel Celeron M processor, GLE960 northbridge, and ICH8M southbridge. Power consumption is rated at just 60 Watts, lower than expected for such a mighty-looking box.

Specifications listed by Moxa for the DA-710 include:

• Processor -- 2.0GHz Intel Celeron M
• Chipset -- GLE960 northbridge and ICH8M southbridge
• Memory -- Up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM via single SODIMM socket (1GB is already built in)
• Storage:
  • DOM (disk on module); 2GB in Windows Embedded Standard 2009 configuration and 1GB in Linux configuration
  • 1 x IDE and 2 x SATA; details of drive bays unspecified
• Expansion:
  • 4 x PCI slots
  • 1 x CompactFlash slot
• Networking -- 4 x gigabit Ethernet
• Other I/O:
  • 1 x VGA
  • 1 x PS/2
  • 2 x RS232
  • 4 x USB 2.0
  • 4 x DIO
• Power requirements -- 100 to 240VAC; 60 Watts
• Operating range -- 14 to 122 deg. F (-10 to 50 deg. C)
• Dimensions:
  • Without rackmount ears, 16.53 x 15.74 x 7.08 inches (420 x 400 x 180mm)
  • With rackmount ears, 18.89 x 15.74 x 7.08 inches (480 x 400 x 180mm)
• Weight -- 30.86 pounds (14kg)

Further information

According to Moxa, the DA-710 is available with preinstalled Windows Embedded Standard 2009 or Linux. Pricing was not specified, but the device appears to be available now.

More information on the Moxa DA-710 may be found on the company's website, here.

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