Fast Ethernet hub has five auto-configurable ports

Parvus Corp has unveiled what it reckons is the first Fast Ethernet switching hub for embedded PC/104 applications. The embedded board allows up to five devices using 10baseT or 100baseTX Ethernet interfaces to communicate over a network or the Internet, while achieving outstanding performance, integration, and power management from its PC/104 form factor. Two Ethernet connector options are available for the board - with local RJ-45 jacks or Molex 4-pin panel mount connectors.

Enabling full-bandwidth 10/100Mbit/s switched access, this Fast Ethernet hub offers five 10/100 transceivers and independent Fast Ethernet media access controllers, a high-speed nonblocking switch fabric and address look-up engine, and a 1Mbit embedded frame buffer memory.

Its shared memory-based switch fabric provides non-blocking switching performance for all data traffic environments, including back-pressure and pause frame flow control schemes.

Pricing for 100+ units is $134 each.

Features and specifications include: five auto-configurable ports (straight/twist); auto-negotiation and speed auto-sensing; back pressure-based flow control of half duplex ports; IEEE 802.3 and 802.3u compliance; LED activity indicators; a look-up engine supporting as many as 4096 MAC address entries; a pause frame-based switch fabric delivering true nonblocking switching; simple networking installation through auto-MDI/MDIX; a store-and-forward switching mode; and an operating temperature from 0 to 70C.

The Ethernet switching hub can expand a 10baseT or 100baseTX system beyond two nodes or increase local area network (LAN) distances beyond the 100m limit of the IEEE 802.3 specification.

Potential applications include machine monitoring, process control, test and measurement, environmental control, remote data acquisition, and communications gateways in avionics/aerospace, defence, factory automation, medical, telecom and transportation fields.