Chipset; Overview; Direct Media Interface (Dmi); Pci Express Interface - Dell POWEREDGE T310 Technical Manualbook

Dell

8 Chipset

8.1 Overview

The PowerEdgeT310 planar incorporates the Intel 3420 chipset and the Intel 3420 or Platform Controller
Hub (PCH), a highly integrated I/O controller.
A number of high-level features are supported by the chipset on PowerEdge T310, as detailed in the
following sections.

8.2 Direct Media Interface (DMI)

Direct Media Interface (DMI) is the chip-to-chip connection between the processor and Intel 3420
chipset. This high-speed interface integrates advanced priority-based servicing allowing for concurrent
traffic and true isochronous transfer capabilities. Base functionality is completely software-transparent,
permitting current and legacy software to operate normally.

8.3 PCI Express Interface

The Intel 3420 provides up to 8 PCI Express Root Ports, supporting the PCI Express Base
Specification, Revision 2.0. Each Root Port supports 2.5 GB/s bandwidth in each direction (5 GB/s
concurrent). PCI Express Root Ports 1-4 can be statically configured as four x1 Ports or grouped
together to form one x4 port. Ports 5 and 6 can only be used as two x1 ports.

8.4 SATA Interface

The Intel 3420 has two integrated SATA host controllers that support independent DMA operation on
up to six ports and supports data transfer rates of up to 3.0 Gb/s (300MB/s). The SATA controller
contains two modes of operation—a legacy mode using I/O space, and an AHCI mode using memory
space. Software that uses legacy mode will not have AHCI capabilities.
The Intel 3420 supports the Serial ATA Specification, Revision 1.0a. The Intel 3420 also supports
several optional sections of the Serial ATA II: Extensions to Serial ATA 1.0 Specification, Revision 1.0
(AHCI support is required for some elements).

8.5 Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI)

The Intel 3420 provides hardware support for Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI), a new
programming interface for SATA host controllers. Platforms supporting AHCI may take advantage of
performance features such as no master/slave designation for SATA devices—each device is treated
as a master—and hardware-assisted native command queuing. AHCI also provides usability
enhancements such as Hot-Plug. AHCI requires appropriate software support (e.g., an AHCI driver)
and for some features, hardware support in the SATA device or additional platform hardware.

8.6 Intel Rapid Storage Technology

The Intel 3420 provides support for Intel Rapid Storage Technology, providing both AHCI (see above
for details on AHCI) and integrated RAID functionality. The industry-leading RAID capability provides
high-performance RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 functionality on up to 6 SATA ports of Intel 3420. Matrix RAID
support is provided to allow multiple RAID levels to be combined on a single set of hard drives, such as
RAID 0 and RAID 1 on two disks. Other RAID features include hot spare support, SMART alerting, and
RAID 0 auto replace. Software components include an Option ROM for pre-boot configuration and boot
functionality, a Microsoft Windows compatible driver, and a user interface for configuration and
management of the RAID capability of Intel 3420.
PowerEdge T310 Technical Guide 40