Usually hardware is not seen as cutting edge, but more and more it’s getting a second wind and there are signs of creativity.
From Wikipedia:
“Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture is the largest specification effort in the history of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG), with more than 100 companies participating. Known as AdvancedTCA™, the official specification designation is PICMG 3.x (see below). AdvancedTCA is targeted to requirements for the next generation of “carrier grade” communications equipment. This series of specifications incorporates the latest trends in high speed interconnect technologies, next generation processors, and improved Reliability, Availability and Serviceability (RAS).”
Basically everyone needs to fit into the same blade rack configuration, which will be really great at saving space and having all sorts of equipment living together in harmony. So one would think.
http://www.picmg.org/v2internal/newinitiative.htm
A
