PEX 8632-BB RDK PLX Technology, PEX 8632-BB RDK Datasheet - Page 3

• Manufacturer Part Number: PEX 8632-BB RDK
• Description: Interface Modules & Development Tools PEX 8632 RDK: Bsbrd w/Adapter Card
• Manufacturer: PLX Technology

Backwards Compatibility with PCIe Gen1
The PEX 8632 enables a PCIe Gen2 native chipset to
create PCIe Gen1 (2.5 Gbps) slots and/or communicate
with PCIe Gen1 endpoints. The PEX 8632 is backwards
compatible with PCIe Gen1 devices and will
automatically negotiate down to Gen1 bit-rates (2.5
Gpbs) when connected to a Gen1 endpoint. In Figure 3,
the PCIe slots connected to the PEX 8632’s downstream
ports can be populated with either PCIe Gen1 or PCIe
Gen 2 devices. Conversely, the PEX 8632 can be used to
create Gen 2 slots on a Gen 1 native Chip Set in the
same fashion.
Backplane Communication
The PEX 8632 is also well suited for backplane
applications demanding a large number of ports. Figure
5 represents an ATCA or MicroTCA backplane
application with two switch fabric blades and multiple
AMC blades. In this example, two PEX 8632s provide
peer-to-peer data exchange for up to 20 AMC blades
connecting to the switch fabric. The PEX 8632 utilizes
its NT port to isolate the hosts on the switch fabrics and
the remaining 10 downstream ports on each switch are
used to fan-out to the 20 AMC blades (or 10 AMC
Carrier Modules).
Graphics Slot
Endpoint
Endpoint
Endpoint
Endpoint
Endpoint
Endpoint
Endpoint
Endpoint
Figure 4. Creating PCIe Gen1 Slots
x16
x4
Chipset
Chipset
CPU
CPU
CPU
CPU
x4
Gen2
Gen2
PEX 8632
PEX 8632
PEX 8632
PEX 8632
CPU
CPU
CPU
CPU
x8
Four x4 Gen1 slots
Memory
Memory
Memory
Memory
Failover Storage Systems with Dual Cast
The PEX 8632’s Dual Cast feature proves to be very
useful in storage systems. In the example shown in
Figure 6, the Dual Cast feature enables the PEX 8632 to
copy data going to its two downstream ports to the
backup system and vice versa (see yellow traffic
patterns) in one transaction as opposed to having to
execute two separate transactions to send data to the
redundant chassis. By offloading the task of backing up
data onto the secondary system, processor and system
performance is enhanced. Non-Transparent (NT) ports
are used to isolate the host domains of the backup
system from the primary system.
20 AMC Blades
Figure 5. ATCA/MicroTCA Backplane Usage
x8
PEX 8632
PEX 8632
PEX 8632
PEX 8632
Chipset
Chipset
Chipset
Chipset
CPU
CPU
CPU
CPU
Figure 6. Dual Cast in Storage Systems
x8
Control
Control
Control
Control
8 Disk Chassis
x4
FC
FC
FC
FC
PEX 8616
PEX 8616
PEX 8616
PEX 8616
PEX 8616
PEX 8616
CPU
CPU
CPU
CPU
Control
Control
Control
Control
FC
FC
FC
FC
NT
NT
x4
x8
Memory
Memory
Memory
Memory
Fabric
x8
Control
Control
Control
Control
8 Disk Chassis
PEX 8616
PEX 8616
PEX 8616
PEX 8616
x4
FC
FC
FC
FC
Backplane
x8
To
NT
Control
Control
Control
Control
Chipset
Chipset
Chipset
Chipset
CPU
CPU
CPU
CPU
NT
FC
FC
FC
FC
x8
x4
PEX 8632
PEX 8632
CPU
CPU
CPU
CPU
PEX 8632
PEX 8632
8632
PEX 8632
PEX 8632
8632
PEX 8632
PEX 8632
PEX
PEX
x8
NT
Memory
Memory
Memory
Memory
To other
Fabric
Backup
System
CPU