The Siemens Industry Automation Division has equipped its new 19-inch industrial rack PC, the Simatic IPC547C, with Intel Core 2 Quad/Duo desktop processors. The memory of the rack PC, which features the Windows Server 2008 operating system and the X4500 graphics media accelerator, can be increased to up to sixteen gigabytes. Thanks to its computing, system and graphic performance, the PC is particularly suitable for rapid processing of large amounts of data in process visualization, image processing and industrial server applications. Raid 1/Raid 5 hard disk configurations in a hot-swap frame result in high system availability and reliability.
A redundant power supply is also being developed. The small front-to-back size of its space-saving housing allows it to be mounted in 19-inch control cabinets with a minimum depth of only 500 millimeters. The device is fitted with temperature-controlled, low-noise fans and ensures a high degree of protection against dust due to its positive pressure ventilation system. Special hard disk holders, card retainers and a power plug cable grip provide protection against vibration and impact. The PC can be expanded by means of a free PCIe x16 (2.0) slot, a PCIe x8 (1 lane) slot and a PCIe x1 slot as well as four free PCI slots for long expansion cards. For dual-monitoring purposes, a PCI Express x16 graphics card can be supplied.
Nine USB 2.0 interfaces are provided, two on the front and one inside, for example for a software dongle. Two teaming-capable gigabit Ethernet interfaces offer redundancy and high data transfer rates. For rapid and reliable data storage, 500-gigabyte Sata hard disks are used. Status LEDs on the front enable speedy and efficient diagnosis of the fans and temperature. On request, the Simatic IPC547C rack PC is supplied with a pre-installed and already activated operating system – Windows XP Professional, Vista Ultimate or Windows Server 2008. With an optional tower kit, the new PC can be converted for use as an industrial workstation or server in control stations and technical offices.
