Aimed at both general networking and network security applications, the PL-80090 is the latest in a series of "PL" branded networking appliances offered by Win Enterprises, including last June's Intel Core 2 Duo-based PL-60760 system. The new PL-80090 offers more gigabit Ethernet ports than the PL-60760, and also boasts long-life embedded components and Intel virtualization technology, Win Enterprises says.


PL-80090
(Click to enlarge)

Supporting a variety of Intel Pentium and Core 2 processors, including the quad-core models, the appliance is built around an Intel 3210 (MCH + ICH9R) chipset with a 1333MHz Front Side Bus (FSB). The optional onboard Cavium Nitrox PX cn16xx security coprocessor is said to support IPsec and other security protocols, offloading them from the CPU and thereby increasing system performance. Unfortunately, the coprocessor only works when Linux is the host operating system, Win Enterprises suggests.


PL-80090 (detail)
(Click to enlarge)

The PL-80090 provides two unbuffered DDR2 800 DIMM slots for up to 4GB of memory, and offers PCIe, PCI, and CompactFlash expansion, as well as dual 3.5-inch SATA hard disk drive (HDD) bays, says the company. In addition to the eleven gigabit Ethernet ports, four more gigabit Ethernet ports can be added via PCI-E x4/x1 connections. USB and serial connections are also available.


PL-80090 block diagram
(Click to enlarge)

Specifications listed for the PL-80090 include:

• Processor -- Intel Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Duo, Pentium Duo, or Pentium dual-core LGA775 processors
  
• Chipset -- Intel 3210 + ICH9R
  
• Front Side Bus -- 1333/1066/800MHz
  
• Cryptography -- Optional Cavium Nitrox PX CN16xx security co-processor (Linux drivers only)
  
• Memory -- up to 4GB dual-channel DDRII 800/667MHz via dual DIMM sockets
  
• Flash expansion -- 1 x CompactFlash Type II socket
  
• PCI expansion -- 1 x PCI-e x8 slot; 1 x PCI-e x8 golden finger; 1 x PCI slot
  
• Storage -- 2 x internal 3.5-inch SATA HDD bays
  
• Networking -- up to 11 gigabit Ethernet (GbE) ports (copper or fiber options); up to 15 GbE copper ports via PCI-e x4/x1; two segments LAN bypass; 1 x GbE LAN management port
  
• USB -- 1 x external USB 2.0; 1 x internal USB 2.0 (5x1 pin wafer)
  
• Serial -- 1 x RJ45 Console port (COM1); internal 5x2 pin header (COM2)
  
• Other features -- 16x2 LCD module; power, HDD, and status LEDs; 4-button keypad
  
• Power supply -- 1U ATX redundant
  
• Dimensions -- 17.3 x 19.8 x 1.7 inches (440 x 505 x 44mm); 1U rackmount
  
• Operating temperature -- 32 to 104 deg. F (0 to 40 deg. C)
  
• Operating systems -- Windows XP, plus a variety of Linux options (Fedora Core, RedHat, Centos)

Availability

The PL-80090 is priced at $1740 in OEM quantities, and will be available in six to eight weeks, says Win Enterprises. More information may be found here.

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