OSADL Test Rack

The OSADL Test Rack was designed by kernel developer Thomas Gleixner. It consists of an open 19" industrial rack the upper and lower half of which can be configured either for individually assembled embedded systems or for standard PCs. The picture at the left (click on it or click here to display it at a higher resolution) shows a version for eight embedded systems. Every slot is equipped with a 220 V/50 Hz~ power plug-in and two RJ45 connectors. The power plug-in is connected to a remote power switch. One of the RJ45 connectors provides a 10/100/1000 Mb/s network interface of a manageable network switch, the other links to a serial port of a terminal server. The manageable network switch allows mirroring of individual ports for diagnostic purposes when network sniffing is required. The 8-way power switch, the 8-port network switch and the 8-port terminal server are mounted in the transitional zone between the upper and the lower half of the rack.

While standard PCs are put directly on a simple rack shelf two in a row, special shelf tablets have been developed for embedded systems. These tablets (see picture below, click on it or click here to display it at a higher resolution) are equipped with a DIN rail. This facilitates the individual assembly of a particular embedded system either with standard DIN rail power supply or with special power supplies. The tablets can be removed easily and be used on the desk, whenever necessary, since the interface connection is standardized to avoid any hassle with a company's in-house serial and power connectors and exotic power requirements.

In the future, we may no longer accept embedded systems for testing or bug fixing, unless they come pre-assembled on the OSADL Test Rack tablet. Appropriate empty tablets along with a description of the required pin assignment of the serial connector can be purchased from Linutronix.