Rhino Box® FAQ

When are transportable outside or remote environmentally controlled equipment enclosures necessary?

Increasingly, business is being conducted outside in the elements.  Outdoor enclosures are necessary when there is a requirement to safely and securely support operation of sensitive electronics and communications equipment – anywhere, anytime.  Corporations and governments are demanding safe, reliable and cost-effective tools and solutions to meet this burgeoning business requirement.  Metric Systems Corporation addresses this need with the Rhino Box® – a new generation of rugged, environmentally controlled and fully integrated transport and site equipment enclosures.  The Rhino Box allows commercially available equipment to operate in harsh conditions with little or no investment in site preparation.

When is a Rhino Box the right solution?

Any business application that requires independent, on-site support for field operations needs the Rhino Box. Typical applications include emergency deployment operations in crisis conditions, e.g., earthquake, hurricane, fire; military and peacekeeping operations; and temporary video and entertainment systems.

What are the primary benefits of the Rhino Box?

The primary benefits offered by the Rhino Box are increased operational flexibility, project and labor time savings, lower logistical costs, and higher equipment security.

The Rhino Box is a unified and effective approach to pre-configuring, packaging, transporting and quickly setting up and operating sensitive electronic equipment in virtually any external weather situation.  With the Rhino Box, complex electronic and communications systems can be pre-configured, tested and verified for operation prior to shipment to their deployment location.  The field proven, rugged, and transportable Rhino shelter safely protects equipment during transport and provides a “ready to go” system on site arrival.  Coupled with the reduced need to assign personnel for construction, maintenance and operation of a facility, the Rhino Box offers significant overall project savings in resources.

The Rhino Box allows you to:

• Pre-stage, test and store disaster recovery networking and communication systems,
• Mitigate the capital costs and time associated with upgrading existing equipment and structures, and
• Substantially reduce the costs associated with deploying temporary or semi-permanent systems.

How does the Rhino Box work?

The Rhino Box features a redundant, micro computer-based, closed-loop environmental control system that maintains the internal equipment within a safe operating range over a wide external temperature and humidity range.  A proprietary particle and dust deflecting and filter system dramatically reduces the damaging effects of rain, blowing sand and dust, thereby enabling operation in harsh environments.

Flexible power configuration options allow operation in any country or field situation.  Multiple back-up options allow dual AC and DC service for increased reliability.

The ability to remotely monitor and control the electronics with an integrated site controller allows immediate notification of any change in the equipment’s physical environment without the need for resident on-site personnel.

What makes the Rhino Box unique?

Quite simply, the freedom and flexibility it provides the user to successfully conduct critical operations – in the harshest of environmental weather conditions nearly anywhere in the world.  The Rhino Box assists in delivering successful on-site performance for a wide range of commercial equipment, easily and economically, by integrating the following critical components into a rugged, self-contained and fully integrated package:

• A structurally-enhanced Hardigg MAC case with specially engineered members to improve survivability in a wide range of elements including shock, vibration, water, dust, etc.
• A self-contained, microprocessor-controlled, dual-mode cooling and heating system.
• A dual-stage, fail-safe temperature control system that assures continued operation if a processor failure occurs.
• An optional integrated GFI protected AC inverter and high current DC distribution system.
• An integrated local and remote monitoring and control system to provide continuous system status.

What types of equipment can be integrated into the Rhino Box?

All types of electronic and communications equipment can be integrated into, and operated within the Rhino Box including networking, communication, power conversion, and sensor systems.

Standard 19” (48.26 cm) rack-mounted equipment is easily integrated into the Rhino Box. Non-standard, ultra sensitive equipment can be mounted on tailored shock resistant structures to maintain transport reliability.  The standard Rhino Box supports up to 20U of vertical space with horizontal depth of 22” (55.88 cm). Custom structure support for non-standard size components is available.

The standard external temperature operating range of the Rhino Box is -22 to +160 F (-34 – +70 C) with an internal equipment heat load of 900W.

Rhino Boxes are currently in use in both desert and alpine regions outfitted with high-power radio and commercial networking equipment.  Additional Rhino Box systems are currently providing complete, fly-away Internet service for thousands of users in extremely harsh weather conditions.

How much is a Rhino Box?

We design and build both standard and custom models. While our standard models have a set price structure, custom configurations will vary in price. Contact us to get more information or to fill out a Request for Quote.

How can I learn more about the Rhino Box?

Call us at +1-760-560-0348 or e-mail us via our Contact Form.  We welcome the opportunity to show you how the Rhino Box can be outfitted to fit your needs!