Datasheet

Intel
®
Xeon
®
Processor C5500/C3500 Series
February 2010 Datasheet, Volume 1
Order Number: 323103-001 139
PCI Express Non-Transparent Bridge
3.4 NTB Support in Intel
®
Xeon
®
Processor C5500/C3500
Series
When using the NTB capability the Intel
®
Xeon
®
processor C5500/C3500 series will
support the NTB functionality on port 0 only in either the 1x4 or 1x8 configuration. The
NTB functionality is not supported in the single x16 port configuration.
The BIOS must enable the NTB function. In addition, a software configuration enable
bit will provide the ability to enable or disable the NTB port .
3.5 NTB Supported Configurations
The following configurations are possible.
3.5.1 Connecting Intel
®
Xeon
®
Processor C5500/C3500 Series
Systems Back-to-Back with NTB Ports
In this configuration, two Intel
®
Xeon
®
processor C5500/C3500 series UP systems are
connected together through the NTB port of each system as shown in Figure 48. In the
example each Intel
®
Xeon
®
processor C5500/C3500 series system supports one x4
PCIE port configured to be a NTB while the other three x4 ports are configured to be
root ports. Each system is completely independent with its own reset domain.
Note: In this configuration, the NTB port can also be a x8 PCIE port.
Figure 48. NTB Ports Connected Back-to-Back
Intel® Xeon® Processor
C5500/C3500 Series
PCH
x4 x4x4x4x4
DMI
PCIE
TB
PCIE
NTB
System A
PCIE devices
Local host
Intel® Xeon® Processor
C5500/C3500 Series
PCH
x4 x4x4x4x4
DMI
PCIE
TB
PCIE
NTB
System B
PCIE devices
Remote host