Dell EMC OEM Marine Solutions Help Power Defense Vessels

With advanced vessels ranging from patrol boats to multi-purpose frigates and amphibious ships plus a fleet of high-tech helicopters, navies need reliable, high-performance technology solutions that fit into the tightest of spots, can cope with tough conditions and keep the crew smiling!

Presenting the marine-grade PowerEdge XR2

Take the latest marine-certified addition to the Dell EMC OEM PowerEdge family – the XR2. Part of our latest family of 14th generation servers, the XR2 offers the latest and greatest industry-first security features and enhanced systems management. This server is ideal for naval vessels, where you can’t use a standard-sized server due to space limitations or tough conditions, but you still need reliability and a lot of compute power, close to the action.

Light, tough and resistant

Let’s look at the physical side first. The XR2 measures just 52.5 cm (20.67 inches) rack depth and is lightweight at a maximum weight of 13kg (28lbs). It is resistant to shock and vibration plus capable of operating in temperatures of up to 45 degrees C° (113F°). In fact, it can tolerate 55 degrees C° for up to eight hours. Compliant with DNV, IEC 60945, and MIL-STD-810G, the XR2 has optional, rugged sliding rails for installation in standard four-post racks or in transit cases.

All in a day’s work

Of course, navies use the world’s most sophisticated surveillance and intelligence gathering systems to identify threats and maintain strategic superiority.

Perhaps, you’re running covert naval surveillance operations while having to contend with vibrations caused by waves and high winds? Alternatively, you might be part of the navy’s regional security and international peacekeeping or disaster-relief operations. Maybe, you’re rescuing people at sea, protecting shipping or preventing illegal fishing and drug-running?

Analytics at the Edge

Without a server, you have no way of filtering data, making calculations on the fly, or conducting analytics at the edge. Everything must go back to the data centre, resulting in delays, possible security concerns and negative impact to cost, bandwidth, latency and storage. The good news is that in all these scenarios, the XR2 rises beautifully to the challenge.

Additional authentication

In addition to the standard PowerEdge security features, a common access card reader on the XR2 provides additional authentication. All you need do is simply remove the common access card reader and the server is immediately rendered useless with all the data automatically encrypted.

We all know a picture paints a thousand words so let’s look at a couple of real-world examples of technology in action.

It’s good to connect

One customer offers a VoIP-based switching solution for naval communication, delivering future-ready voice and data communications. In this instance, all of the switching functions are implemented in software, hosted on the Dell EMC PowerEdge XR2 and Dell EMC Storage Virtual Rack MD3 OEMR platforms.

Monitoring the vibrations

Carried on some naval vessels, Delta RIBs are 7m long high speed boats, used to board other ships. For health and safety reasons, one of our naval customers monitors the vibrations its team is exposed to when working on the RIB. Each individual wears an individual sensor pack, which connects wirelessly to a Dell Edge Gateway, which is located on the RIB and powered by the boat’s battery. The Gateway collects the vibration metrics from each sensor pack, logs it and calculates the vibrations experienced by each individual.

Ensuring maritime security

In the marketplace, we are also seeing that navies are increasingly using the power of IT technology to ensure maritime security. Countries like Italy and France are upgrading their fleets and investing in the European multi-purpose frigate (FREMM), which provides the latest in navigation systems and weaponry.

In Italy, for example, our systems integrator partner, Irene is using our Embedded Box PC 5000 to help naval technology experts use the latest x64 technology in state-of-the-art radar and navigation systems. Recognising the limited space available on board, our combined solution is four times more compact than the standard naval-grade option while still delivering over four times greater workstation performance.

Dell EMC OEM is proud to work with navies around the world to help secure staff safety, improve communications and support maritime security.