Data Sheet

Introduction—Ethernet Controller I210

1.0 Introduction

The Intel

Ethernet Controller I210 (I210) is a single port, compact, low power component that

supports GbE designs. The I210 offers a fully-integrated GbE Media Access Control (MAC), Physical

Layer (PHY) port and a SGMII/SerDes port that can be connected to an external PHY. The I210

supports PCI Express* [PCIe v2.1 (2.5GT/s)].

The I210 enables 1000BASE-T implementations using an integrated PHY. It can be used for server

system configurations such as rack mounted or pedestal servers, in an add-on NIC or LAN on

Motherboard (LOM) design. Another possible system configuration is for blade servers as a LOM or

mezzanine card. It can also be used in embedded applications such as switch add-on cards and network

appliances.

1.1 Scope

This document provides the external architecture (including device operation, pin descriptions, register

definitions, etc.) for the I210.

This document is a reference for software device driver developers, board designers, test engineers,

and others who may need specific technical or programming information.

1.2 Terminology and Acronyms

Table 1-1. Glossary

Definition Meaning

1000BASE-BX

1000BASE-BX is the PICMG 3.1 electrical specification for transmitting

1 Gb/s Ethernet or 1 Gb/s fibre channel encoded data over the backplane.

1000BASE-KX

1000BASE-KX is the IEEE802.3ap electrical specification for transmitting

1 Gb/s Ethernet over the backplane.

1000BASE-CX

1000BASE-X over specialty shielded 150  balanced copper jumper cable assemblies as

specified in IEEE 802.3 Clause 39.

1000BASE-T

1000BASE-T is the specification for 1 Gb/s Ethernet over category 5e twisted pair cables as

defined in IEEE 802.3 clause 40.

AEN Asynchronous Event Notification

b/w Bandwidth.

BIOS Basic Input/Output System.

BMC

Baseboard Management Controller - often used interchangeably with Manageability

Controller (MC).

BT Bit Time.

CRC Cyclic redundancy check

DCA Direct Cache Access.

DDOFF Dynamic Device Off