| PC factory test tool runs Linux |
Apr. 09, 2008
 [Updated Apr. 10] -- A vendor of software that tests PC system health during manufacture and servicing will demonstrate a Linux-based appliance at the Embedded Systems Conference next week. PC-Doctor says its Network Factory appliance can improve quality and reduce returns for high-end x86 device makers.
(Click for larger view of the PC-Doctor Network Factory)
PC-Doctor is best known as a software vendor. It claims that its software diagnostic tools have shipped on about 140 million PCs. It also serves the market for higher-end x86-based devices, with clients that reportedly include defense contractors Honeywell and GE, as well as International Game Technology (IGT), a large Nevada-based vendor of slot machines and "mega-jackpot" systems.
The company's new Network Factory appliance, currently in the prototype phase, aims to simplify rollouts of PC-Doctor testing set-ups at both new and existing factories and service centers, it said. The appliance is based on an unspecified hardware platform from MBX running Gentoo Linux, the Apache web server, PHP scripting, and the open source Firebird SQL database. It also runs PC-Doctor's networked diagnostics software (shown below), which provides a database for test results and systems information.
The Network Factory appliance works in collaboration with a runtime component installed on the PC. The runtime verifies that there are no hardware faults or failures on the system, and then reports back to the server. The runtimes are available to test x86-based PCs and devices running Linux, Windows, and DOS.
PC-Doctor Network Factory screen
(Click to enlarge)
PC-Doctor's CMO, Doug van Aman, said the server-appliance version was a response to customers in small factories looking to reduce complexity with a turnkey product. In a statement, he commented, "The people who attend [ESC] are very representative of those we had in mind when we conceived the idea of a turnkey solution."
van Aman added, "We're used wherever quality and traceability of a device's birth certificate are required."
Choosing Linux
PC-Doctor Network supports both Windows and Linux, but the company selected Linux for the appliance "because it's easy for us to customize," van Aman said. Other benefits include open licensing "and the fact that most of the open source software packages that we use tend to run well and have good Linux community support," he added.
The company chose the Gentoo distro, "because we know it," said van Aman. "We chose a source-based distribution because we only need to support a few hardware configurations, and we want to squeeze the maximum performance out of the hardware that we have."
The value of open licensing also played a part in the decision to go with the Firebird database, said van Aman. In addition, the development team liked the software's support for ANSI SQL features, such as foreign keys, triggers, and stored procedures, and it was impressed with Firebird's "good performance and low memory overhead." A final benefit: "the database is a single file in the file system, which makes management simple," he added.
At ESC, PC-Doctor will also show off its software products, including:- PC-Doctor Factory Express -- packaged software for Windows test environments
- PC-Doctor Factory -- original customized software for deployment in a manufacturing or repair depot, supporting Windows, Linux, QNX, and bare-metal environments
- PC-Doctor Network Factory -- The basis for the new Linux-based server appliance, this networked version of the customizable product shares diagnostics and validation information via a networked database, supporting Windows, Linux and bare-metal test environments
- PC-Doctor Service Center -- standalone kit for small factories and service operations -- includes multiple hardware test devices for PC technicians, plus device diagnostics, supporting Windows and bare metal environments
Availability
PC-Doctor will display the server appliance version of PC-Doctor Network Factory, along with its other products, at space 411 at ESC, which runs April 14-18 at the San Jose Convention Center. Pricing and availability information was not available.
Related Stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.
Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.
Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.
Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.
High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.
Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.
Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.
Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed