Product category:
Embedded Software and Operating Systems
News Release from: Emerson Network Power Embedded Computing | Subject: OMCK and HSK
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 02 April 2001
Software duo boost CPCI applications
Motorola Computer Group has two new software products for Windows 2000: the Open MultiComputing Kit (OMCK) backplane messaging software, and the Hot Swap Kit (HSK) infrastructure software.
Motorola Computer Group has announced two new software products for Windows 2000: the Open MultiComputing Kit (OMCK) backplane messaging software, and the Hot Swap Kit (HSK) hot swap infrastructure software This software has been designed for Motorola's extensive range of CompactPCI hardware
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 16 Jan 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The OMCK layers on top of HSK and enables a backplane messaging capability in a host-controlled multi-CPU system.
It emulates the operation of an Ethernet network on the backplane using the TCP/IP industry standard.
It currently supports Wind River's VxWorks 5.4 and Windows NT Embedded 4.0 on the peripheral processors.
Jorge Magalhaes, vice president and director of marketing, cross-industry business unit, Motorola Computer Group said: "Both the Hot Swap and Open MultiComputing software, when integrated with our hardware, serve as building blocks for our strategic customers' next-generation systems in industrial automation, medical and network storage.
When combined with our 3U CompactPCI-based CPX1204 chassis, for example, they enable a heterogeneous hardware and software environment that delivers a high degree of functionality and flexibility in a small footprint".
The new software was developed in conjunction with Pigeon Point Systems, a leading provider of system software that enables robust CompactPCI platforms.
The OMCK enables applications running on the powerful semi-autonomous processors of a multi-computer to communicate via the CompactPCI backplane using the familiar sockets Application Programming Interface (API), defined by the operating system running on each participating processor.
Pigeon Point Systems president Mark Overgaard said "We think Motorola has a powerful recipe here for helping OEMs lead their market segments, and we're pleased to be able to deliver two key software ingredients.
By integrating Motorola's proven boards with Windows 2000 at the system level and VxWorks 5.4 or Windows NT Embedded 4.0 on powerful peripheral processors, we're able to help Motorola give its OEMs the competitive advantages they need".
Overgaard added, "Even better, they get the time-to-market advantage of using: existing PnP-aware device drivers and applications with the HSK and existing sockets-based networking applications for any of the supported operating systems to communicate over the backplane with the OMCK.
In addition, the OMCK speeds development and simplifies deployment of peripheral processors based on VxWorks 5.4 by allowing bootable images to be downloaded automatically over the backplane based on flexible board configuration parameters".
Motorola's CPX1204 is just 3U high and horizontally mounts either five 6U CompactPCI cards, or four 6U CompactPCI cards and a flexible drive-bay module.
This module is capable of supporting multiple peripherals, including floppy, hard disk, CD-ROM and tape backup drives.
Compared with existing CompactPCI systems, which provide eight to 16 vertically oriented 6U cards in 9 to 15U packages, the CPX1200 series can support from 15 to 25 6U cards in the same cabinet space, nearly doubling card capacity.
Motorola's offering also supports high availability using a shelf-level fault zone architecture.
The OMCK should be available by 13th April 2001 at a price expected to begin at GBP2450.
The HSK for Windows 2000 is expected by the same date at GBP1680.
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