Cubix Launches Workstation for 3D GIS, CAD, MCAD Graphics

Providing absolutely transparent performance when compared with equivalent tower PC workstation configurations, Cubix Secure Visualization Blades enable 3D GIS, CAD, and MCAD operators to significantly reduce PC footprint, noise, and heat issues for both commercial and government 3D graphics markets. Cubix achieved its goal of providing 3D graphics professionals with a superior-performance alternative to competing thin-client / blade workstation solutions, by developing a high-bandwidth interface link between host blade PC and the remote operator’s desktop.

“Instead of processing KVM signals into rigid IP packets, or using hi-loss compression algorithms, Cubix decided to use fiber optics to connect the remote 3D graphics operators to their dedicated blade PC”, says Eric Carlson, Cubix Business Development Manager. Cubix SVB clients, called LaserCubes, are designed for use up to 300 meters distant from the blade motherboard.

“By utilizing fiber optic’s exceptional bandwidth, Cubix can integrate discrete, high-performance NVIDIA or ATI graphics cards, including the latest full-length, double-wide ATI FireGL and NVIDIA Quadro FX products, into the remote LaserCube “thin” client, without need for an additional CPU, or use of a low-powered mobile GPU or IGP at the client.”

The result, according to Carlson, is a secure, high-performance PC workstation experience for the 3D CAD / MCAD operator where high resolution graphics performance at the remote desktop can exceed 200 frames per second.

 “Cubix can demonstrate greater performance at the remote client than what virtual PC, thin-client, or PC-over-IP vendors claim to achieve in their product brochures”, adds Carlson. “The higher the resolution or frame rate requirement, the more startling and apparent the performance differences are between Cubix and the competition.”

 “There are no long coffee breaks waiting for screen paints.  There is no latency, mouse ghosting, or signal attenuation issues. There is no loss of accuracy with design data since Cubix’s technology processes uncompressed 3D graphics images at the operator’s desktop. The user will not get a blue screen of death when they want to spin a 3D object. Fiber’s huge bandwidth enables Cubix to build workstation solutions that greatly enhance the CAD technician’s productivity, reduce general overhead expenses and support costs – and we can do it at a price that is cost-competitive with blade computing/thin-client solutions.”

One of the rarely discussed issues involved in deploying virtual PC, PC-over-IP, or blade workstation solutions utilizing proprietary thin-client protocols is managing the client access licenses, or CALs. “Since SVB is a 100% hardware-based solution,   you purchase one Microsoft Windows XP/Vista license, or Linux OS license per Cubix LaserBlade (the Cubix motherboard component), which we’ll integrate at the factory for the customer.  That’s it – no annual license renewal or maintenance fees, and no worries about having enough OS licenses, CALs, or other OS licensing-related issues.”

He adds, “Furthermore, Cubix SVB runs literally any application that the graphics adapter and Intel-compatible motherboard will run. We don’t have to write special drivers for customers accessing legacy applications or the latest versions of their 3D GIS or CAD software. Cubix can integrate a consumer-grade product or discrete workstation graphics cards into the LaserCube remote client in order to support whatever file size, number of displays, and resolution the customer’s application requires.”

According to Carlson, Cubix SVB has been traditionally in government classified and unclassed networks for Command Center, NOC, and SCIF applications where security is of primary importance. “Proprietary encryption is not required of SVB since what goes across the native fiber link are bus-management signals. If the cable is compromised in any way, and the link between LaserCube and LaserBlade is terminated, causing an automatic hard reset of the LaserBlade. “

With the release of its next-generation SVB technology and support for PCI Express x 16 adapters, Cubix sees a huge market opportunity in a variety of commercial and government 3D graphics markets. “We’re delivering a solution which meets the performance specs and I/O compatibility requirements of engineers and CAD technicians, while maintaining compatibility with the IT Department’s virtual PC and corporate-driven green initiatives.”

The blade portion of the SVB, called LaserBlade, ships with the latest Intel chipsets, and motherboards featuring Core 2 Quad, Core i7, and Quad Core Xeon processors. PCIe, PCI-X, and PCI expansion slots are available options for use with industry-standard I/O controllers. The entire system can be remotely managed with a single CubixVision remote manager.