Lantronix is providing the technology for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to network enable their electronic devices. Lantronix latest product, the DST NetCard (NetCard), is a compact module server that is installable into new or legacy systems for network connectivity. The device server also provides simple Web services for remote monitoring and control. The NetCard can be used in many types of equipment and markets, such as Industrial Automation, healthcare, telecommunications, and security.

DST NetCard is based on Lantronix's new system-on-chip (SOC) processor DSTni (Device Server Technology Network Interface). The SoC's core processor is a 96MHz 186 CPU, and it integrates many features needed for network connectivity and remote monitoring. DSTni comes with a suite of on-chip peripheral hardware, which includes two 10/100 Ethernet MACs and fully integrated physical layer (PHY). DSTni also has four serial ports, CANBUS, USB, SPI, I²C, and 32 digital I/O channels. On top of this, the NetCard supports a PCMCIA adapter that allows PC cards, such as wireless 802.11b.

The DST NetCard provides the base foundation for OEMs to integrate networking connectivity into their systems. Lantronix offers an OEM developers kit that includes a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS), TCP/IP protocol stack, a set of C libraries, and sample source code. The kit also contains a compiler, debugger, and linker for creating software applications. OEMs and developers can use these development tools to build applications for connecting their equipment to the Web. Additional services such as Web Server, SNMP, and Telnet are included for remote monitoring, control, and management. Simple Web pages can be used to display real-time data for viewing across the Web.

The two Ethernet ports give the NetCard the capability to act as a bridge or monitoring interface between networks. This allows the NetCard to interface directly to devices such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) or control networks based on Ethernet without actually exposing these systems to the dangers and security risks of full network connectivity. One port can be used as a device interface and the other to connect to a corporate intranet or the Internet. The DST NetCard acts as a buffer or gateway between the two layers.

The DST NetCard can also act as a bridge to Control Area Networks (CAN) through its CANBUS interface. CAN is being used in building control and automation, as well as a number of automotive applications. The NetCard can peer into these networks and allow remote monitoring and control through its Web services.

Pricing and Availability

The DST NetCard will be available in Q3, but is currently available to selected manufacturers; call for pricing.

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