I can respond a bit to #2. Alternatives don't mean anything if your software vendors aren't writing their programs in that OS. For example you probably are familiar with Kyma (Diesel Engine Monitoriing Performance) or maybe ChartCo or WNI's 'Orion' weather product. Or maybe Globewireless or Rydex's e-mail suites. All of these large vessel programs run on Windows. Period. There's no reason to spend months working on a Linux solution if your SOLAS or ABS required software won't work on it. First find out your boundries and work from there.
There are a few regulations currently in place that dictate computer networks onboard commercial vessels. A big one is IEC-945. The IEC-945 testing is a standard for test of equipment intended for installation in the bridge. IEC-945 assists in meeting the requirements of SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) that is also adopted by IMO (International Maritime Organization). ISO (International ORganization for Standards has a technical committee (TC-8) and a subcommitte 10 (SC-10) that deals with computer applications. (never looked this one up before) The guiding principle with the shipping company I work for is that no computer that controls navigation can be on the network. We make sure we have ABS approval before penetrating bulkheads for cable runs and the cable must be of a type that does not produce smoke if burned. Otherwise it's anything goes as far as software: Windows, Novell, etc... We just ensure compatibility with the shore-side and go from there.
Slashdot Mirror
I can respond a bit to #2. Alternatives don't mean anything if your software vendors aren't writing their programs in that OS. For example you probably are familiar with Kyma (Diesel Engine Monitoriing Performance) or maybe ChartCo or WNI's 'Orion' weather product. Or maybe Globewireless or Rydex's e-mail suites. All of these large vessel programs run on Windows. Period. There's no reason to spend months working on a Linux solution if your SOLAS or ABS required software won't work on it. First find out your boundries and work from there.
There are a few regulations currently in place that dictate computer networks onboard commercial vessels. A big one is IEC-945. The IEC-945 testing is a standard for test of equipment intended for installation in the bridge. IEC-945 assists in meeting the requirements of SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) that is also adopted by IMO (International Maritime Organization). ISO (International ORganization for Standards has a technical committee (TC-8) and a subcommitte 10 (SC-10) that deals with computer applications. (never looked this one up before) The guiding principle with the shipping company I work for is that no computer that controls navigation can be on the network. We make sure we have ABS approval before penetrating bulkheads for cable runs and the cable must be of a type that does not produce smoke if burned. Otherwise it's anything goes as far as software: Windows, Novell, etc... We just ensure compatibility with the shore-side and go from there.