How To Calculate A Rackmount Computer Failure Rate
by Michael Bowling on Jan 3, 2018 10:51:38 AM
When sourcing a rackmount computer supplier for your embedded computing components, especially when quality, longevity and the assurance that the components were designed, built, integrated and supported in the USA are important factors, an important consideration is the failure rate …
A Vicious Cycle - The Hidden Recurring Costs of a Short Lifecycle
by Michael Bowling on Jan 3, 2018 10:25:37 AM
Your average computer is available on the market for two to three years, its "lifecycle." This is fine for commercial customers who have no expectation of buying the same exact computer in the future. Still, this raises an issue for the industrial computer customer who spends a lot of …
Revision Control: Ensure Every Computer You Buy is Consistent
by Michael Bowling on Jan 3, 2018 10:19:12 AM
When I was in high school, I took some classes with a set of twins named Timmy and Tommy. Initially I would say they were identical in every way and I’ll confess that I may have mixed up their names a few times. Still, it didn’t take long before I could easily tell the difference betw …
"Drop in Compatible" are the 3 Words That Scare me the Most
by Michael Bowling on Jan 3, 2018 10:14:52 AM
What designers of long-life computing systems need to know We’ve all been taught to never trust somebody that says, “trust me.” As a computer engineer by training, the words, “Trust me, it’s drop in compatible” scare me like few others. If I were a client designing a long-life, missio …
Commercial Computers vs. Industrial Computers
by Michael Bowling on Jan 3, 2018 8:44:44 AM
We are all familiar with the typical big name online computer companies that you’ve used at home or at your desk. Maybe you are considering what computer hardware you need for an upcoming requirement at work and you are wondering if there is possibly something more industrial, better …
Why & Why Not Upgrade Your Industrial Computer Hardware
by Michael Bowling on Jan 2, 2018 2:11:54 PM
First, congratulations on being able to sustain your application for so many years! Not many programs are able to successfully stay in production this long. Still, periodically it makes sense to review your industrial computer hardware to ensure that it will continue running for many …
Rackmount Solutions: Mechanical, Electrical Under One Roof
by Michael Bowling on Jan 2, 2018 2:11:08 PM
As computer design has gotten more complicated it is more critical than ever that the electrical design engineers and the mechanical engineers work closely. Over the years the components have gotten smaller, more densely populated, and physically fragile. Industrial computer (as well …
Can You Open Your Rackmount Computer Without Voiding Your Warranty?
by Michael Bowling on Jan 2, 2018 2:09:19 PM
You bought a rackmount computer designed specifically per your requirements. The million dollar question is, are you allowed to open and inspect the computer system without voiding the warranty?
4 Reasons Why You Should Buy An American-Made Industrial Computer
by Michael Bowling on Jan 2, 2018 2:07:45 PM
Before making a decision on which industrial rackmount computer your application will utilize for the next few years, have you considered the benefits of buying American-made? It is not simply a matter of national pride, it’s much more than that.
PCI Express Interface
by Michael Bowling on Dec 15, 2017 3:34:25 PM
PCI Express 3.0 Technical Challenges UPDATE: For information PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 3.0 slots and speeds, read our latest blog that discusses both. For more information on PCIe 4.0, specifically, check out Everything You Need to Know About PCIe 4.0. Correctly routing PCIe 3.0 signal traces …