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Ethernet MACs—Intel
IXP45X and Intel
6.0
Ethernet MACs
The functionality supported by the MII Interfaces is tightly coupled with the code
written on the Network Processor Engine (NPE) core. This chapter details the full
hardware capabilities of the MII Interface contained within the Ethernet coprocessor of
the Intel
accessible by the user are described in the Intel
Guide and may be a subset of the features described below.
Note:
Not all of the IXP45X/IXP46X network processors have this functionality. For details,
see
Table 97, "Processors: Network Processor Functions" on page
The IXP45X/IXP46X network processors contain three NPEs. All of the NPEs may be
used to process Ethernet traffic utilizing the xMII (MII/SMII) interfaces. Each NPE core
used for Ethernet traffic connects to a Transmit FIFO and Receive FIFO through the NPE
Coprocessor interface. These Transmit and Receive FIFOs are used to buffer data
between the Ethernet Media Access Controller (MAC) and the NPE core.
The Transmit FIFO, Receive FIFO, and MAC are contained in an NPE coprocessor unit
called the Ethernet Coprocessor. The MAC contained in the Ethernet coprocessor is
compliant to the IEEE 802.3 specification as well as handling flow control for the
IEEE 802.3Q VLAN specification.
One Management Data Interface is shared between all of the xMII interfaces. The
single Management Data Interface is used to configure the physical devices attached to
each of the xMII interfaces. The Management Data Interface is accessible by
manipulating the Management Data Registers associated with Ethernet MAC
Coprocessor B0, see
shows a typical application that may be used in connecting to the xMII interface. In
addition to supporting an MII connection, the interface may be configured to support
SMII interfaces.
Figure 28.
Multiple Ethernet PHYS Connected to Processor
Intel
August 2006
Order Number: 306262-004US
®
IXP46X Product Line of Network Processors
®
®
IXP45X and Intel
IXP46X Product Line of Network Processors. The features
"Register Descriptions Ethernet MACs" on page
MII A
Management
®
IXP46X
Data Interface
Network
Processor
MII B
®
IXP400 Software Programmer's
Quad
Ethernet
Bridge
Ethernet
PHY
®
®
Intel
IXP45X and Intel
IXP46X Product Line of Network Processors
222.
239.
Figure 28
Switched
LAN
WAN
B4228-002
Developer's Manual
229
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