Crystal Group partners with Intel, VMware, and DC Systems to Deliver Robust Compute Solution for Smart Grid Modernization

HIAWATHA, Iowa, Jan. 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Crystal Group Inc., a leading designer/manufacturer of rugged computer hardware, is joining forces with industry partners Intel^®, VMware^®, and DC Systems to help utilities monitor, manage, and modernize critical power infrastructures. Crystal Group is demonstrating its new RS37AS17 3U Rugged Server ? engineered to consolidate compute, storage, and networking in a single, scalable system capable of withstanding harsh environments ? in Crystal Group's booth #3228 at DistribuTECH conference and exhibition January 23 - 25 in San Antonio, Texas.

"Crystal Group's RS37AS17 answers the growing demand for a quick, painless way to modernize and streamline power generation and distribution substations, boost efficiency and security, reduce costs, minimize downtime, and meet current and future requirements," says Jim Shaw, Crystal Group executive vice president of engineering. "A true server-class powerhouse in a compact footprint, the Crystal Group RS37AS17 3U Rugged Server converges key data-handling capabilities ? including high-performance processing, storage, and networking ? in a single rugged, reliable server designed to bring military-grade durability and reliability to power substations everywhere."

The Crystal Group RS37AS17 can replace multiple aging devices with a single, compact solution to reduce size, weight, power, and cooling overhead, as well as streamline maintenance. The new rugged server is fully customizable to ease the transition to a more modern, reliable, and capable system, and is modular and scalable to support evolving requirements and technologies over a long operational life. The versatile RS37AS17 is completely configurable with four drive bays, three PCI Express (PCIe) slots, support for up to 1TB of memory, and flexible I/O. Compute, storage, and networking capacity can be added quickly and easily to accommodate future upgrades and expansion.

Crystal Group engineers tap decades of experience developing field-tested, combat-proven rugged hardware that meets or exceeds strict industry standards to craft the RS37AS17 3U Rugged Server specifically for critical power infrastructure applications. High-quality components are stabilized in a rugged aluminum enclosure with advanced thermal management to boost system reliability, availability, and survivability in the face of challenging conditions and extreme environments, including shock and vibration, extreme temperatures, humidity, and more at even the most remote power substations ? where consumer grade systems may fail. The RS37AS17 is designed and tested to meet or exceed the IEC 61850-3, IT-65, IEEE 1613 (surge only), and MIL-STD-810 standards, and complies with Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 5A992.c.  

Crystal Group's RS37AS17 leverages the latest, industry-leading commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies such as Intel^® Xeon^® Scalable Processors, VMware virtualization software, and DC Systems' human-machine interfaces (HMI).

See live demonstrations of the complete, turnkey power substation solution in action and talk with Crystal Group, Intel, VMware, and DC Systems  representatives in Crystal Group's booth #3228 during DistribuTECH 2018 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, on January 23 through 25.

About Crystal Group Inc.
Crystal Group Inc., a technology leader in rugged computer hardware, specializes in the design and manufacture of custom and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) rugged servers, embedded computing, networking devices, displays, power supplies, and data storage for high reliability in harsh environments. An employee-owned small business founded in 1987, Crystal Group provides the defense, government and industrial markets with in-house customization, engineering, integration, configuration management, product lifecycle planning, warranty, and support services.

Crystal Group products meet or exceed IEEE, IEC, and military standards (MIL-STD-810, 167-1, 461, MIL-S-901); are backed by warranty (5+ year) with in-house support; and are manufactured in the company's Hiawatha, Iowa, USA, facility certified to AS9100C:2009 and ISO 9001:2008 quality management standards.

© 2018 Crystal Group Inc.  All rights reserved. All marks are property of their respective owners. Design and specifications are subject to change.

SOURCE Crystal Group Inc.