Software Usage Model

Interrupt Sources/Events

The PEX 8618 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 PEX 8618 for Hot-Plug events, doorbell

interrupts, baseline error reporting, and advanced error

reporting.

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 PEX 8618 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).

Development Tools

RDK

The PEX 8618RDK is a hardware module containing the

PEX 8618 which plugs right into your system (Figure 8). The

PEX 8618RDK hardware module can be installed in a

motherboard, used as a riser card, or configured as a bench-top

board. The PEX 8618RDK can be used to test and validate

customer software. Additionally, it can be used as an

evaluation vehicle for PEX 8618 features and benefits.

PLX offers hardware and software tools to enable rapid

customer design activity. These tools consist of a PEX 8618

Rapid Development Kit (RDK), hardware documentation, and

a Software Development Kit (also available at

www.plxtech.com/sdk).

SDK

The SDK tool set

includes:

- Linux & Windows

drivers

- C/C++ Source code,

Objects, libraries

- User’s Guides &

Application examples

PLX Technology, Inc.

870 W. Maude Ave.

Sunnyvale, CA 94085 USA

Tel: 1-800-759-3735

Tel: 1-408-774-9060

Fax: 1-408-774-2169

info@plxtech.com

www.plxtech.com

© 2009 by PLX Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. PLX and the PLX logo are registered trademarks of PLX Technology, Inc. ExpressLane is a trademark of PLX Technology,

Inc., which may be registered in some jurisdiction. 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 Technology, Inc. assumes no

responsibility for any errors that may appear in this material. PLX Technology, Inc. reserves the right, without notice, to make changes in product design or specification.

PEX8618-SIL-PB-1.2

5/09

Figure 8. PEX 8618RDK

Windows/Linux Apps

PEX API

PCIe

Driver

NT PnP

Driver

PCI Express Interface

Kernel

Space

User

Space

Hardware

Windows/Linux Apps

PEX API

PCIe

Driver

NT PnP

Driver

PCI Express Interface

Kernel

Space

User

Space

Hardware

Product Ordering Information

Part Number

Description

PEX8618-BA50BC

16 Lane, 16 Port PCIe Switch, 324-ball HSBGA 19x19mm

PEX8618-BA50BC G

16 Lane, 16 Port PCIe Switch, 324-ball HSBGA 19x19mm

PEX 8618BA-BB4U1D RDK

PEX 8618 Rapid Development Kit – Base Board with x4 Upstream and

12 x1 Downstream

PEX 8618 Rapid Development Kit – Base Board with x8 Upstream and

Eight x1 Downstream

PEX 8618BA-BB8U1D RDK

PEX 8618 Rapid Development Kit – Add-in Card with x4 Upstream and

Three x4 Downstream

PEX 8618BA-AIC4U4D RDK