Data Sheet

Interconnects—Ethernet Controller I210

3.0 Interconnects

3.1 PCIe

3.1.1 PCIe Overview

PCIe is a third generation I/O architecture that enables cost competitive next generation I/O solutions

providing industry leading price/performance and features. It is an industry-driven specification.

PCIe defines a basic set of requirements that encases the majority of the targeted application classes.

Higher-end applications' requirements, such as enterprise class servers and high-end communication

platforms, are encased by a set of advanced extensions that compliment the baseline requirements.

To guarantee headroom for future applications of PCIe, a software-managed mechanism for introducing

new, enhanced, capabilities in the platform is provided. Figure 3-1 shows PCIe architecture.

Figure 3-1. PCIe Stack Structure

2.5+

PCI.sys Compliant

Configurable widths 1 .. 32

Preserve Driver Model

Config/OS

S/W

Protocol

Link

Common Base Protocol

Advanced

Xtensions

Physical

(electrical

mechanical)

Point to point, serial, differential,

hot

plug, inter

formfactors