First Ethernet Switch In Space

Rebecca will you marry me? writes "The ESA's Columbus laboratory module was added to the International Space Station in February, but Hewlett-Packard has only now chosen to reveal that the LAN onboard Columbus uses a ProCurve 2524 switch." HP admits it was the "most unusual and demanding" project ProCurve has done yet.

Fortunately,

[Anonymous Coward]

they aren't using Linksys routers as well. Password: defaultshuttle

Resale value

[Anonymous Coward]

Excellent, that should triple the resale value of my Procurve 2512 switch. Any offers?

well....

[KozmoKramer]

I see a job opportunity for a network engineer, or at the very least a network cabling repair guy. Imagine that help desk ticket @ NASA.......

Rebecca! Save yourself!!

[th0mas.sixbit.org]

He's a nerd! Save yourself Rebecca!

(before you mod OT look at submission again ;) )

obligatory

[Lost Penguin]

In space, no one can hear the NIC scream.

Re:well....

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah, I get paid 55 cents a kilometer for service calls. I definitely want this job, although my Honda Civic might have a tough time getting to orbit.

Re:Cool test methodology

[Joe Jay Bee]

They did try to test a Belkin one, but that one failed even before they'd subjected it to the particle accelerator.

How will the RIAA/MPAA be able to sue them?

[Anonymous Coward]

Do they have a mailing address?

Re:Cool test methodology

[brunokummel]

Despite the misleading title (should probably say first OFF THE SHELF switch in orbit)...

not necessarily, since It must be really hard to keep something ON THE SHELF in outer space.. =)
*drum rolls

Re:And this is interesting because?

[Dogtanian]

Is there some reason why a router in orbit would behave differently in any way from a router sitting in a rack in the server room?

I suspect there may be some timeout issues due to the network cable connecting them to ground control slightly exceeding the Ethernet spec's maximum length.

Am I the only one...

[jpellino]

... that was relieved and surprised it wasn't "hub" and "10Base2"?

Re:Rebecca! Save yourself!!

[Anonymous Coward]

This is /. He's a nerd. He needs all the relationship help he can get, and you're scaring her off?

Re:obligatory jabber

[dreamchaser]

Unless they suffer from congestion.

Brown....

[mikelieman]

You ever ship anything UPS? If it survive *them*, launching into orbit should be a no-brainer.

Re:And this is interesting because?

[tbischel]

Extended G-forces during launch might be a good test of how well solder joints, connectors, and other components are made.

Hmm... sounds like an expensive test plan. How about just testing g-forces in the lab? ;-)

Re:Cost?

[JustOK]

Bits weigh less in space, so they're easier to compress.

Re:well....

[ggvaidya]

First a plumber, and now an IT helpdesk guy. NASA's really trying to reach out to the common man.

Re:Which is it?

[SBrach]

That's what you get for reading TFA.

Re:vulnerability

[The End Of Days]

Won't someone think of the child molesters?

meanwhile on MIR

[GregNorc]

The Russians used a pencil

Re:well....

[Free the Cowards]

Space is only an hour's drive away, if your Civic can drive straight up.

From ProCurve website

[Anonymous Coward]

It says you have LifeTime warranty, as long as "you own the device", with

> Next-business-day delivery of a replacement unit for the entire warranty period (available in many locations around the world)

I'd like to see that, really.