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Introduction
1.3
Platform Initiatives
1.3.1
Hub Interface
As I/O speeds increase, the demand placed on the PCI bus by the I/O bridge has become
significant. With the addition of AC'97 and Ultra ATA/66, coupled with the existing USB, I/O
requirements could impact PCI bus performance. The Intel
architecture ensures that the I/O subsystem (both PCI and the integrated I/O features (IDE, AC'97,
USB, etc.)), receives adequate bandwidth. By placing the I/O bridge on the hub interface (instead
of PCI), the hub architecture ensures that both the I/O functions integrated into the ICH and the PCI
peripherals obtain the bandwidth necessary for peak performance.
1.3.2
Manageability
The Intel
lower the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the system. These system management functions are
designed to report errors, diagnose the system, and recover from system lockups without the aid of
an external microcontroller.
TCO Timer
The ICH integrates a programmable TCO Timer. This timer is used to detect system locks. The first
expiration of the timer generates an SMI# which the system can use to recover from a software
lock. The second expiration of the timer causes a system reset to recover from a hardware lock.
Processor Present Indicator
The ICH looks for the processor to fetch the first instruction after reset. If the processor does not
fetch the first instruction, the ICH will reboot the system.
Function Disable
The ICH provides the ability to disable the following functions: AC'97 Modem, AC'97 Audio,
IDE, USB or SMBus. Once disabled, these functions no longer decode I/O, memory, or PCI
configuration space. Also, no interrupts or power management events are generated from the
disabled functions.
Intruder Detect
The ICH provides an input signal (INTRUDER#) that can be attached to a switch that is activated
by the system case being opened. The ICH can be programmed to generate an SMI# or TCO event
due to an active INTRUDER# signal.
Alert-On-LAN*
The ICH supports Alert-On-LAN*. In response to a TCO event (intruder detect, thermal event,
processor not booting) the ICH sends a hardcoded message over the SMBus. A LAN controller
supporting the Alert-On-LAN* protocol can decode this SMBus message and send a message over
the network to alert the network manager.
1-10
810A3 chipset platform integrates several functions designed to manage the system and
810A3 Chipset's hub interface
®
Intel
810A3 Chipset Design Guide
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