Kontron launches CG2100 Carrier Grade Server with latest Intel Xeon processor 5600 series

The Kontron CG2100 combines high performance, ruggedness, reliability, and long life in a NEBS-3 and ETSI-compliant 2U chassis. This server is ideal for the demanding environment and limited space of the Telco central office, as well as for network data centers. It enables OEMs and TEMs to create specialized, value-added solutions for a variety of telecom applications including unified messaging, SoIP, call control, media and signaling gateways, and operational system support. In addition, the Kontron CG2100 is well suited for other types of rugged applications, such as in the Military and Medical segments, where meeting tough environmental and long life requirements are critical. With the NEBS purpose-built CG2100, Kontron is advancing carrier grade servers to the latest in technology and innovation, while continuing to assure customers of the same level of ruggedness, reliability, and long life that is expected with these types of mission-critical products, said Jim Bringley, Director of Communication Rackmount Servers division within Kontron.

The Kontron CG2100 achieves improved performance through dual socket support of the Intel Xeon processor 5600 series which utilizes up to 6 cores and 12 MB cache on 32nm technology, enabling 12 high-speed cores per system. With a greater number of available threads and increased cache size, more performance is achievable in the same thermal power envelope, especially for highly threaded applications. Telecom and data center carriers benefit from an optimized total cost of ownership by reduced system count and energy consumption without compromise on reliability. The Intel Xeon processor 5600 series provides industry-leading performance and energy efficiency, says Frank Schapfel, Product Line Marketing Manager, Intel Performance Products Division. This platform is ideal for high-performance computing in communications infrastructure and data centers.

In addition, the Kontron CG2100 introduces further benefits by providing support for latest technologies and industry standards including PCI-E Gen2, DDR3 memory, Power Management Bus (PMBus) and enhanced remote management capabilities via IPMI and directed I/O virtualization technology. It also includes hot-swap, redundant fans for greater up-time and improved serviceability. Increased memory and storage capacity are now possible with 12 slots for DDR3 RDIMM/UDIMM memory (96GB maximum) and support of up to 6 hot-swap 2.5 SAS/SATA hard disk drives, which can enable greater HW RAID options and flexibility for fine tuning to optimize safety and transfer rates. Further storage options are also enabled through support of solid state drives with either SATA or USB interface.

IP Network Server NSN2U
Kontron has also added support for the Intel Xeon processor 5600 series to its existing IP Network Server Kontron NSN2U, enabling significantly improved compute performance and power efficiency. This new processor has socket/signal drop-in compatibility with the previous Intel Xeon processor 5500 series, so already installed systems can easily be upgraded at minimal costs. The Kontron NSN2U is an excellent choice for network security applications-including intrusion detection/intrusion prevention, VPN/firewall, and unified threat management solutions. It is also well-suited for enterprise application acceleration and content caching, and is an ideal platform for running Telco SoIP, including IMS, IPTV, video on demand (VoD), SIP application servers, IP-PBX, and IP-PSTN gateways.

Both the Kontron CG2100 and NSN2U continue to carry many of the long standing benefits inherent in Kontron's communication rack mount servers-including 3-5 year lifecycle, dual-redundant AC or DC power, reliability, and I/O density - all in a ruggedized, shallow-depth chassis.

The Kontron CG2100 Carrier Grade Server will become available in production by May 2010. The IP Network Server NSN2U is able to support the Intel Xeon processor 5600 series as soon as these processors are available from Intel.