Advanced Tco Mode - Intel 6 SERIES CHIPSET - DATASHEET 01-2011 Datasheet

Functional Description
5.14.2.2

Advanced TCO Mode

The PCH supports the Advanced TCO mode in which SMLink0 and SMLink1 are used in
addition to the host SMBus. See
SMBus controllers must be enabled by soft strap in the flash descriptor.
SMLink0 is dedicated to integrated LAN use and when an Intel PHY 82579 is connected
to SMLink0, a soft strap must be set to indicate that the PHY is connected to SMLink0.
The interface will be running at the frequency of 300 kHz - 400 kHz depending on
different factors such as board routing or bus loading when the Fast Mode is enabled
using a soft strap.
SMLink1 is dedicated to Embedded Controller (EC) or Baseboard Management
Controller (BMC) use. In the case where a BMC is connected to SMLink1, the BMC
communicates with Management Engine through Intel ME SMBus connected to
SMLink1. The host and TCO slave communicated with BMC through SMBus.
Figure 5-6.

Advanced TCO Mode

Intel ME SMBus
Controller 3
Intel ME SMBus
Controller 2
Intel ME SMBus
Controller 1
Host SMBus
TCO Slave
Datasheet
Figure 5-6
PCH
SMLink1
SMLink0
for more details. In this mode, the Intel ME
Advanced TCO Mode
EC or
BMC
Intel
82579
SPD PCI/PCIe*
Device
(Slave)
Legacy Sensors
(Master or Slave
with ALERT)
SMBus
185