Ethernet Controllers; Primary Network Interface - Eurotech Apollo User Manual

Dual Slot PCI riser
A dual slot 1U height PCI riser card has been designed to interface to the APOLLO
board. This is used to provide additional PCI slots to support up to two bus master PCI
expansion cards.

Ethernet controllers

The APOLLO provides two Ethernet controllers. The table below summarizes the
controller type and supported network speeds based on APOLLO variant used.
APOLLO variant
Standard (V1Ix)
Gigabit (V1Ix) and
V2Ix APOLLO

Primary network interface

A primary network interface controller based on the Intel 82551QM 10/100Mb Fast
Ethernet PCI Controller is provided. The 82551QM provides efficient scatter-gather bus
mastering capabilities enabling the 82551QM to perform high-speed data transfers over
the PCI bus. This capability accelerates the processing of high level commands and
operations, which lowers CPU utilization. Its architecture enables data to flow efficiently
from the bus interface unit to the 3KB Transmit and Receive FIFOs, providing the perfect
balance between the wire and system bus. In addition, multiple priority queues are
provided to prevent data underruns and overruns. For connector details, see page 35.
Optional Gigabit Ethernet (APOLLO V1Ix)
An Intel 82541PI Gigabit Ethernet controller is provided on the APOLLO Gigabit build
variant. This replaces the 82551QM device used on the APOLLO Standard and Celeron
M 600MHz variants.
The 82541PI provides performance up to 1000 BaseT, with backwards compatibility with
100BaseTX and 10BaseT Ethernet standards.
APOLLO V2Ix Ethernet
The APOLLO V2Ix boards are fitted with an 82541PI Gigabit Ethernet connection as
standard; the 82541PI provides performance up to 1000 BaseT, with backwards
compatibility with 100BaseTX and 10BaseT Ethernet standards. The APOLLO V2Ix
board has the capability to enable/disable the primary Ethernet port.
Issue G
Primary Ethernet controller
10/100 BaseT
82551QM Ethernet Controller
10/100/1000 BaseT
82541PI Ethernet Controller
Detailed hardware description
Secondary Ethernet controller
10/100 BaseT
ICH4 + 82562ET Ethernet
Controller
101