You may find it difficult to understand whether you need an industrial computer for your work application, let alone the type of industrial computer and relevant specifications/technical features that can tolerate the unique elements of your work application.
For this post, we are discussing one specific type of industrial computer that is both durable and affordable – the network computer. We navigate the history, types, uses, technical specifications and design features of the network PC. We also delve into the relevant testing and ratings common to network computers; features that ensure they function well in industrial, hazardous and military applications.
HISTORY
In the 1980s, MIT developed the original network computer called the X-Terminal. The X-Terminal worked off of an x-operating system, which we still use today in military applications. The X-Windows operating system was the first that allowed you to run a program one place and display the graphics somewhere else. It remains an open standard managed by the X.Org consortium.
The thin client was then developed. Similar to the X-Terminal, the thin client is a diskless computer designed with added flash memory and software for better communication with remote desktop protocols. While the X-Terminal only runs the x-operating system, the thin client is agnostic and will run any operating system designed to connect to a remote server. This makes the x-terminal is a type of thin client, which in turn is a type of network computer.
Today, you see a variety of network computers that access data and program from a remote server or network – ranging from thick (fat) clients to thin (lean) clients – and subsets of those specific types as well.
EXPLAINING THE NETWORK COMPUTER
A network computer is also referred to as an x-terminal, thin client or even diskless computer. These all describe the same rugged computer or workstation, more or less.
To reiterate, network computer is a general term to describe a computer designed to run applications and data off of a remote network. All network computers have a client application that sends/receives data to the remote server over a network, thus the name. There are many types of network computers, which we delve into below.
Network PCs can be designed for consumer usage, however at Daisy we design and manufacture network computers that feature industrial thin client technology. Our customers in the automation, manufacturing (food processing, pharmaceutical, biotechnology) and military environments rely on thin clients because they can withstand the hazardous conditions in their facilities. In fact, our military customers most heavily rely on x-terminals.
- Thick (Fat) Client: Computer that does most of the processing independent of a remote server or network, but still requires a periodic network connection to archive information on the server.
- Thin (Lean) Client: Diskless computer with small physical footprint. It has minimal processing power and requires constant access to a remote server or network for all access to programs/data.
- X-Terminal: A thin client network computer that runs an X server; part of the X Window System client application that is a UNIX-based operating system. The X Window System allows applications to run on the remote network and transfer keystrokes and images back/forth to the local computer called the x-terminal.The title X-Terminal indicates that it is only running the X Window System, while thin clients may run similar software that is not Windows (i.e. Citrix or Microsoft’s Terminal Services).
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF RUGGED NETWORK PCs
Network PCs are typically designed and manufactured with very durable materials because they are used in some of the most hazardous applications with challenging environmental abuses, such as EMI, RFI, lighting, temperature extremes, vibration and negligent maintenance.
To withstand these difficult environments, the enclosures feature rugged materials that are specifically designed to tolerate the intense shock, vibrations and range of extreme temperatures common in hazardous and military applications.
Externally, the network PCs feature a NEMA4X fully sealed, waterproof enclosure made of powder coated aircraft grade aluminum bezel or 12 Gauge Stainless Steel 304 with a resistive touch screen and fully sealed integrated keyboard and mouse; all of which are rated to handle hazardous environments.
Internally, these industrial x-terminals are diskless so they require smaller processors and few components to run data and programs efficiently. With each component possessing a rugged design and less internal components to jostle around, there is a smaller risk of damage given the tough environments they operate within.
INDUSTRIES THAT RELY ON RUGGED NETWORK PCs
Rugged network computers are used across multiple industries; each one requiring different design elements and levels of durability.
Automation: Uses of Network PCs
For the automation industry, the low replacement cost is a significant factor for the use of industrial network computers. For the food and pharmaceutical industries that rely on automation in their processing plants, computers with low processing power are necessary because there is less risk of ignition in a hazardous environment. The more processing power required for on-site operations, the more cooling devices are necessary to maintain computer function in the environment. Thus, the offsite processing power of the remote network server is beneficial to the hazardous work environment and the cost.
For food and pharmaceutical manufacturing, industrial network computers are tested and rated for specific hazardous environments. These ratings demonstrate the conditions that hazardous network PCs are designed to work efficiently in, ensuring that they are the appropriate fit for any relevant hazardous location.
- Class I, II, III, Division 2: Used throughout the United States, Division 2 describes environments where flammable liquids or gases are not likely to exist under normal operating conditions. They may be confined within closed systems and are not released as long as equipment operates properly.
- ATEX Zone 2: Used throughout the European Union (EU), ATEX Zone 2 provides the same classification as Class I, II, III, Division 2. This describes an electronic unit that can work in an environment where an explosive atmosphere of gas, vapor or mist occurs under fault conditions.
- IP65, IP66 & IP67: Applied and referenced internationally, the IP65 rating describes an electronic unit that is dust tight for up to 8 hours. It can tolerate water projected by a nozzle for up to 15 minutes.The IP66 rating describes an electronic unit that can withstand water projected in powerful jets for up to 3 minutes.
The IP67 rated rating describes an electronic unit that can handle being submerged in up to 1 meter of water for a maximum of 30 minutes.
- NEMA 4X: Outlined for companies working in the United States, the NEMA 4 & 4X rating describes an electronic unit that is water tight (thus a sealed computer or monitor). The design protects the internal components from falling dirt or dust, as well was ingress water (rain, sleet, snow, splashing or hose directed water) and formation of ice. NEMA4 and NEMA 4X rated HMIs are used by the food and pharmaceutical industry in plants and manufacturing facilities (i.e. dairies).
Flight Simulation: Uses of Thin Clients
The flight simulation industry relies on computers with a significant amount of processing power without the bulk. Since they cannot accommodate large computers ,the thin clients or networking computers fit the bill. Given the name, they are thin in size and access a lot of the processing power from the offsite network.
Customer Example: Our industrial rack mount x-terminal (Model #7179AL) was designed to best serve the flight simulation industry. Like our other network PCs, it is incredibly durable and meets multiple military standards. This x-terminal features a high performance surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch screen that is activated by many different touch points; a design feature where the touch screen and glass are resistant to chemicals.
Military: Uses of X-Terminals
The military uses military grade x-terminals for both security and processing reasons. By placing the networked servers in a central, safe and clean location, the military can use the military standard network computers throughout different hazardous application sites while still having quick, easy and remote access to important data.
Furthermore, if the network computer is damaged or destroyed, there is a low replacement cost and no risk of data loss or confidential data leaking. All of the important information is maintained on a secure network and the network computer does not house any information.
For military applications, network PCs meet numerous military standards (also written as MIL-STD or MIL-STANDARD) and feature a commercial off the shelf design (referred to as Mil-COTS or simply COTS). These military standards demonstrate the conditions that network PCs are designed to work in, ensuring that they are the appropriate fit for any relevant military applications.
- MIL-STD 901D, Grade A Shock: This military standard describes the extend to which shipboard equipment must be able to withstand shock loadings that may occur during mission critical operations and wartime service testing, including possible effects of nuclear or conventional weapons.
MIL-STD 901D uses grades to further describe how necessary the equipment is to shipboard operations. In this case, grade A describes equipment that is essential to the safety and continued combat capability of the ship.
- EMI MIL Standard 461and 462:
MIL-STD 461D: This military standard describes electronic units that have an acceptable level control of electromagnetic interference (EMI) emissions and susceptibility. This is a common military standard met by electronic equipment and systems designed for and used by military (including our US Coast Guard and US Navy).
MIL-STD 462: While the MIL-STD 461D outlines the control levels of EMI standards for electronic military equipment, MIL-STD 462 further describes how EMI emissions and susceptibility should be measured and evaluated. Since these military standards both deal with EMI emissions of military equipment, you will find that military rated network PCs typically are tested and meet these military standards.
- DO-160C: The DO-160C document outlines standards and testing procedures necessary for airborne equipment. By performing these tests, there is a level of assurance hat airborne equipment can perform in environmental conditions common in typical flight operations.Standard conditions that are typically tested include: temperature, altitude, temperature variation, humidity, shock and crash safety, vibration, explosion proofness, water proofness, fluids susceptibility, sand, dust, fungus resistance, salt, fog, magnetic effect, power input, voltage spike, audio frequency conducted susceptibility, induced signal susceptibility, RF emission and susceptibility, lightning susceptibility, icing, ESD and flammability.
- Airborne Noise MIL Standard 740-1: This military standard outlines the necessary instrumentation and procedures for measuring and analyazing the airborne sound generated by shipboard equipment. It also outlines the maximum allowing sound level for this shipboard equipment.
- COTS: These network PCs can also feature a commercial off the shelf design (also referred to as MIL-COTS or simply COTS). The advantage to x-terminals with COTs design are numerous. First, they are typically readily available and can be used out of the box. Since these units do not need to be customized, the purchaser typically saves a significant amount of time, resources and budget in purchasing a COTS designed x-terminal; cost factors that are common when customizing the unit to the work application.
Customer Example: Our Thin Client Computer (Model 7171CA) was designed specifically for the US Coast Guard. Since it is a shipboard computer, it is an incredibly rugged with a compact design in size and weight; making it easy to mount in small spaces. This thin client features technology important for coast guard missions, including one touch switch between night/day mode and NVIS goggle compatibility.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT RUGGED NETWORK PCS
Do network PCs hold any confidential or proprietary data?
Simply put, no – the network PCs we manufacture (i.e. thin clients) do not hold any data.
Since thin clients access the processing power and data from a remote network, the data is stored on the network. If you had to send in the network computer for a repair or were interested in our upgrade program, there is no need to clean the computer of its data because it does not store anyway. Given the name, it accesses everything remotely and is simply displaying the information that is housed on the network.
This is the reason that the military relies on network PCs for its naval operations. They are rugged enough to tolerate the tough elements that naval ships endure, while relying on a remote network for the processing power and confidential data necessary for mission critical work.
How do I know if Network PC with a COTS design works for my application?
Most likely, however our sales team would know best. A quick conversation would help them determine exactly what specs are needed for a network computer to work in your application. In our experience, specifications typically required for thin clients are compliance with military standards (i.e. shock and vibe, electromagnetic interference (EMI)), range of temperature resistance, as well as design features including stainless steel enclosures and special coatings.
Is a Network PC simply a rugged display with a built in keyboard and mouse?
No. If you want to compare an industrial network PC to a consumer computer product, consider a basic computer that you use to remote desktop into your powerful computer (perhaps when working remotely into your desktop computer). The industrial network computer does the same, but can have a very rugged design that tolerates the environmental elements common in industrial, hazardous and military applications.
A regular consumer computer that can access a remote server, similar to your work laptop or even a tablet won’t work for the industries that we serve at Daisy. These network PCs are incredibly rugged; rugged enough to handle the intense elements that military ships and even chemical processing equipment endure.
What other questions do you have about network PCs?
We have been designing and manufacturing rugged network computers for more than 20 years, specializing in custom solutions for our military, manufacturing, processing and automation customers.
This means that we know a lot about thin clients (and x-terminals specifically) and are happy to connect with you to answer any additional questions you might have, ranging from basic concerns about purchasing the right product to very technical specifications related to your work environment. Our sales team has more than 35 years of experience working with customers to identify the best rugged, hazardous or military computer.
For any questions, send Jack or Kenny a quick note and we will respond within 1 business day.