What You Need to Know About the PC 104 Computer
The PC
104 computer is a single board computer that can extend its
feature beyond the single board. This works by stacking other modules that have
other capabilities on top of the PC 104 board. PC104 is a modular, ruggedized
version of the PC. Instead of using a backplane, PC104 modules mate together
via stackable ISA, PCI, and PCIe bus connectors”. (n.d)
Although the PC104 is small and compact it is
still capable of running software that is designed for desktop computers
because it can expand the hardware by combining it with different modules to
make it even more powerful.
The PC104 is not only great for both
space-saving and power but it is also cost-effective “PC104 leverage PC
hardware and software markets by following the mainstream PC bus
development” (n.d) so there is no need to worry about marketing the PC as
a new product which also reduces the cost of developing the product.
The great thing about the PC104 is that the
system designer can design a system based on what they need which also reduces
the overall cost of the project. Instead of buying a server that includes
everything which can be expensive, the system designer can buy only the module
they need for the system.
If they want to increase memory for the PC104,
the system designer just needs to get the memory module and stack it on top to
increase the memory.
The PC 104 Computer is available in many places
and so does the module that one can buy to expand the computer capabilities.no
matter what you need – CPU, I/O, power supply, communications – you’re likely
to find it in a PC/104 module” (n.d) and the great thing about these
modules is that they are designed to work together so the system designer does
not have to worry about incompatibility when connecting multiple boards
together, that means if the system designer wants to separate the modules and
use them for a later date they do not have to uninstall any software or driver,
basically the software remains the same even when the modules are separated and
use at a different date in the future.
This PC 104 is very small in size and only
measure about 3.55 by 3.775 inches. That means one can fit this PC almost
anywhere and out of sight while providing the power of a traditional desktop
machine.
Since the PC 104 runs an x86 processor, it is
capable of running Windows or Linux which makes it even better because if one
chooses to run Linux, he or she can install and run any software built for that
distribution on the x86 processor or they can install Windows and run any
executable file without much problem as long as they have the module required
for the software they wish to run on Windows.
The best use for the PC104 is heaving it as a
server because since it is small and compact it will consume very little
electricity and at the same time, it can fit into tight space while providing
all of the same features as a traditional desktop.
If used for personal or business, any type of
servers can be built using the PC104 computer and some example servers one can
build are a web server, file server, cloud server, firewall, or a VPN server.
