(EMAILWIRE.COM, June 07, 2007 ) WAKEFIELD, Mass., USA – PICMG has released a new specification that defines an open mechanism for systems to upgrade the resident management software and firmware on the various components and subsystems. Designated PICMG HPM.1, the specification was developed by the existing PICMG 3.0 subcommittee but released as a separate specification so it can also be applied immediately to other PICMG defined architectures, specifically Advanced Mezzanine Cards and MicroTCA systems. This specification is the first from PICMG to augment the hardware platform management (HPM) layer of all three architectures in a single document. PICMG specifications lead the industry in their support for advanced system management technology, which improves system reliability and availability and reduces maintenance costs.

The Intelligent Platform Management Interface specification, which AdvancedTCA uses as the basis for its hardware platform management infrastructure, does not provide any generic mechanism for upgrading management controller firmware. This new specification defines an advanced architecture and corresponding interfaces so that a single upgrade agent can update the firmware in the many management controllers of an entire system, even if the modules in the system come from different vendors.
“HPM.1 adds very useful functionality to AdvancedTCA and MicroTCA systems, along with the AdvancedMC modules they include,” said Mark Overgaard of Pigeon Point System and the Chair of the HPM.1 effort. “This framework will allow system integrators to have a single set of tools for upgrading all the IPM Controllers in an entire system. In addition, the HPM.1 architecture ensures that all new compliant FRUs will be automatically supported by the upgrade tools compliant with this specification, and vice versa,” he added.

HPM.1 will be provided free to PICMG members and is available for purchase by non-members. More information, including product listings, can be found at www.picmg.org.

To see the latest products based on PICMG specification, visit the PICMG Technologies Showcase at NXTcomm07 in Chicago at Booth 4257. For a listing of Member products based on PICMG specification, click on the “Products” page at www.picmg.org.

About PICMG
Founded in 1994, PICMG is a consortium of more than 450 companies that collaboratively develop open specifications for high performance telecommunications and industrial computing applications. The members of the consortium have a long history of developing and using leading-edge products for these industries. For information about PICMG membership, or to find out how to obtain PICMG specifications, visit the PICMG website at www.picmg.org or call PICMG headquarters at (781) 246-9318.

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PICMG, CompactPCI, and AdvancedTCA are registered trademarks of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group. AdvancedMC and MicroTCA are trademarks of PICMG.

For further information:
Rob Davidson, PICMG,
(805) 570-9575
davidson@picmg.org


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