CompactPCI is fast becoming the industry standard for global applications that demand continuous 24 hour activity.

The backbone of any 24x7 data networking service today is a high reliability computing capability. CompactPCI (CPCI) is fast emerging as the dominant standard particularly in telecom hardware design for everything from line cards to switches. I-Bus, manufacturer of high reliability computers, offers OEM clients a tailor-made approach to platform design. The company designs and supplies embedded computers and systems in the global CPCI market.

Originally based around a rugged version of the 'open standard' PCI architecture, CPCI is used to describe an open standard industrial bus that features an extremely high bandwidth. It offers high performance systems the desired high reliability and high speed computing power inside a modular and robust design. CPCI is particularly well suited for embedded processing applications. It is ideal for additional front end services in central office applications, and also supports additional bus systems, for example CT buses to build powerful flexible voice processing systems.

I-Bus designs its many solutions to maximise slot availability and product versatility. Since mission critical operations require minimum downtime, the company's platforms feature Hot Swap support so that faulty boards can be replaced while systems remain live. This is one of the main reasons why many companies are turning to CPCI.

Separate cooling areas for applications cards and system devices throughout the chassis also ensures individual components operate efficiently in high ambient temperature environments for the most demanding operations.

Designing CPCI systems is one thing, supply is another. With the trend towards consolidated single supplier vendors gathering pace, it is often important that OEMs look for those companies who offer on site integration and manufacturing facilities so that systems can be transformed into fully operational products before shipping. By taking care of the hardware in this way, the supplier helps the customer focus entirely on developing its own core business skills, leaving the integrated platform development to a single specialist.

I-Bus, with manufacturing sites based in the UK and USA, offers ISA/PCI and CPCI design build for telecommunication, telephony, broadcast services, Internet, data networking applications and much more. Customers also benefit from successful industry partnerships with companies such as Aculab, Brooktrout, Dialogic and Sun Microsystems to extend the choice of innovative platforms for dedicated markets.