ClearCube Technology will today announce an update to its PC blade technology so firms can have greater flexibility in the way their employees connect to host blade systems.

The new R-series BackPack hardware, available from mid-November, will let firms operate a mixture of direct or switched connections to user desktop consoles from the same unit, thus simplifying management, said ClearCube.

In ClearCube's architecture, one BackPack provides the connection points between a chassis full of PC blades and the remote users. Until now firms could choose either a direct-connect BackPack, or a Switching BackPack that enables users to be switched from one blade to another via management software.

"R-series replaces the two existing BackPacks, and continues to work with existing cage infrastructure", said Ken Knotts of ClearCube. The firm will continue to sell the older BackPacks for now.

"Going forward, our entire enclosure will be referred to as a chassis and it will be outfitted for switched or direct links via the R-series, a modularly designed BackPack for users with c/port, i/port, or both," Knotts added.

A c/port links the user's monitor keyboard and mouse to a blade over a direct cable connection, while i/ports use an IP link and allow users to share a blade.

The R-series features dual power supplies for redundancy, and also now supports USB 2.0 ports to allow devices to be connected to blades. Customers asked for this capability to allow tamper-proof connection of hardware such as TV tuners, Knotts said. Staff can already connect USB peripherals via their desktop user port.

R-series prices have yet to be announced, but will be comparable with other BackPacks, the firm said.