The Celestix Scorpio-X platform based on the Intel® 945G Express Chipset, combined with either the Intel® Pentium® D processor or Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology sets the bar for network security appliance hardware. The Intel 945G Express Chipset delivers outstanding system performance through high-bandwidth interfaces such as dual-channel DDR2 memory, 1066 MHz system bus, and PCI Express x1 I/O ports, next-generation Serial ATA and high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity.

The Scorpio-X is designed to meet future market requirements as well. It features support for PCI Express which redefines computing power on a security appliance platform. Additionally, it supports the new Intel® Pentium® D processor and Pentium® 4 processor with HT Technology, available in the LGA-775 package.

Each appliance will support up to 6 GbE LAN ports (4 PCI-Express + 2 on board) and up to 4GB dual channel DDR-II 400/533/667/800 memory. PCI-Express significantly upgrades the data transfer speed when compared to prior platforms. Also, the LAN interfaces support bypass functionality, thus resulting in further network fault-tolerance. The DDR II memory support is a unique feature in the Scorpio-X platform as well. Quite simply, the Scorpio-X sports the highest memory performance to date, the lowest power consumption to date, and the longest component life cycle of any previous appliance platform. Other features include support for mini PCI expansion slots (useful for SSL or IPSec cryptographic acceleration), four Serial ATA interfaces, two USB 2.0 ports, a compact flash slot, built-in on-board VGA, and more (in either a 1U or 2U chassis).

Specifically designed for network security, the Scorpio-X, with its advanced capabilities and high-speed I/O, is the best hardware platform for vendors to deliver best-of-breed solutions like firewalls, VPNs, web proxies, VoIP proxies, two-factor authentication solutions, IPSes (Intrusion Prevention Systems), IDSes (Intrusion Detection Systems), anti-virus gateways, and anti-SPAM/content filters.

PCI Express
The PCI Express architecture enables increased bi-directional bandwidth to I/O interfaces. With theoretical bandwidth up to 4 GB/second per direction, the PCI Express x1 I/O port can provide more than three and a half times the bandwidth over traditional PCI architectures, thus delivering faster access to peripheral devices and network interfaces.

Memory Architecture
To support faster memory, increased graphics requirements, and I/O bandwidth, the Intel 945G Express Chipset incorporates an updated Memory Controller Hub (MCH) backbone architecture. This new design includes wider internal data buses that support dual-channel DDR2 memory technology at 667 MHz (up to 10.7 GB/second of peak memory bandwidth) for greater platform performance and memory flexibility. Intel® Flex Memory Technology facilitates easier upgrades by allowing different memory sizes to be populated and remain in dual-channel mode.

High Performance Serial ATA
The Intel 945G Express Chipset elevates storage performance with next-generation Serial ATA (SATA) and enhancements to Intel® Matrix Storage Technology. This chipset has four integrated SATA ports for transfer rates up to 3 Gb/second (300 MB/second) to SATA hard drives or optical devices. Support for RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10 allows for different RAID capabilities that address specific needs and usages.