PEX8733, PCI Express Gen 3 Switch, 32 Lanes, 18 Ports

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22Aug11, version 1.0

Software Model

From a system model viewpoint, each PCI Express port is

a virtual PCI to PCI bridge device and has its own set of

PCI Express configuration registers. It is through the

upstream port that the BIOS or host can configure the

other ports using standard PCI enumeration. The virtual

PCI to PCI bridges within the PEX8733 are compliant to

the PCI and PCI Express system models. The

Configuration Space Registers (CSRs) in a virtual

primary/secondary PCI to PCI bridge are accessible by

type 0 configuration cycles through the virtual primary bus

interface (matching bus number, device number, and

function number).

Interrupt Sources/Events

The PEX8733 switch supports the INTx interrupt message

type (compatible with PCI 2.3 Interrupt signals) or

Message Signaled Interrupts (MSI) when enabled.

Interrupts/messages are generated by PEX8733 for hot

plug events, doorbell interrupts, baseline error reporting,

and advanced error reporting.

Figure 10. PEX8733 RDK

Development Tools

PLX offers hardware and software tools to enable rapid

customer design activity. These tools consist of a hardware

module (PEX8733 RDK), hardware documentation

(available at www.plxtech.com), and a Software

Development Kit (also available at www.plxtech.com).

ExpressLane PEX8733 RDK

The PEX8733 RDK (see Figure 10) is a hardware module

containing the PEX8733 which plugs right into your

system. The PEX8733 RDK can be used to test and

validate customer software, or used as an evaluation

vehicle for PEX8733 features and benefits. The PEX8733

RDK provides everything that a user needs to get their

hardware and software development started.

Software Development Kit (SDK)

PLX’s Software Development Kit is available for

download at www.plxtech.com/sdk. The software

development kit includes drivers, source code, and GUI

interfaces to aid in configuring and debugging the

PEX8733.

Both performancePAK and visionPAK are supported by

PLX’s RDK and SDK, the industry’s most advanced

hardware- and software-development kits.

Product Ordering Information

Part Number

Description

PEX8733-BA80BC G

32-Lane, 18-Port PCI Express Switch,

Pb-Free (27x27mm

PEX8733-BA RDK

PEX8733 Rapid Development Kit

PLX Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. PLX, the PLX logo, ExpressLane,

Read Pacing and Dual Cast are trademarks of PLX Technology, Inc. All other

product names that appear in this material are for identification purposes only

and are acknowledged to be trademarks or registered trademarks of their

respective companies. Information supplied by PLX is believed to be accurate

and reliable, but PLX assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in

this material. PLX reserves the right, without notice, to make changes in product

design or specification.

Visit www.plxtech.com for more information.